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Full-Text Articles in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Effects Of Release Techniques On Parent-Reared Whooping Cranes In The Eastern Migratory Population, Hillary L. Thompson, M. Susanna Glass, Marianne M. Wellington, Kim H. Boardman, Glenn H. Olsen
Effects Of Release Techniques On Parent-Reared Whooping Cranes In The Eastern Migratory Population, Hillary L. Thompson, M. Susanna Glass, Marianne M. Wellington, Kim H. Boardman, Glenn H. Olsen
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Reintroduction of an Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) of whooping cranes (Grus americana) in the United States by release of captive-reared individuals began in 2001. As of 2020, the EMP has approximately 21 breeding pairs and has had limited recruitment of wild-hatched individuals, thus captive-reared juveniles continue to be released into breeding areas in Wisconsin to maintain the population. We investigated the effects of release techniques on survival, behavior, site fidelity, and conspecific associations of 42 captive-parent-reared whooping cranes released during 2013-2019 into the EMP. Individuals were monitored intensively post-release, then as a part of a long-term monitoring program, …
Whooping Crane Stay Length In Relation To Stopover Site Characteristics, Andrew J. Caven, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Mary J. Harner, Greg D. Wright, David M. Baasch, Emma M. Brinley Buckley, Kristine L. Metzger, Matthew R. Rabbe,, Anne E. Lacy
Whooping Crane Stay Length In Relation To Stopover Site Characteristics, Andrew J. Caven, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Mary J. Harner, Greg D. Wright, David M. Baasch, Emma M. Brinley Buckley, Kristine L. Metzger, Matthew R. Rabbe,, Anne E. Lacy
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Whooping crane (Grus americana) migratory stopovers can vary in length from hours to more than a month. Stopover sites provide food resources and safety essential for the completion of migration. Factors such as weather, climate, demographics of migrating groups, and physiological condition of migrants influence migratory movements of cranes (Gruidae) to varying degrees. However, little research has examined the relationship between habitat characteristics and stopover stay length in cranes. Site quality may relate to stay length with longer stays that allow individuals to improve body condition, or with shorter stays because of increased foraging efficiency. We examined this …
Response Of Forest Birds To Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii Matsumura), A Novel Invasive Fruit Pest, At Allegheny National Forest, Daniel P. Roche
Response Of Forest Birds To Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii Matsumura), A Novel Invasive Fruit Pest, At Allegheny National Forest, Daniel P. Roche
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Non-native invasive insect pests can have dramatic impacts on native ecosystems, feeding on plant foliage, wood, or sap. Little is known, however, about how fruit-targeting NNIIPs may affect native ecosystems. Spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, SWD) is a recently introduced invasive vinegar fly that parasitizes the fruits of many plant species in the United States. While its activity in agricultural systems is well-documented, little is known about its activity in forest ecosystems, despite growing evidence of its presence and parasitism of fruits there. Parasitism could reduce fruit attractiveness for vertebrate fruit consumers, including migratory birds. As such, this …
Nesting Success Of Dickcissel (Spiza Americana) And Non-Breeding Grassland Bird Use Of Northwest Arkansas’ Remnant And Restored Tallgrass Prairies, Alyssa L. Derubeis
Nesting Success Of Dickcissel (Spiza Americana) And Non-Breeding Grassland Bird Use Of Northwest Arkansas’ Remnant And Restored Tallgrass Prairies, Alyssa L. Derubeis
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Dwindling populations of North American grassland birds are linked to habitat loss. Tallgrass prairie only covers 3% of its pre-settlement-era range. Small-scale restoration projects attempt to increase acreage for prairie avifauna, and while some breeding grassland species are present at these sites, nesting success and non-breeding use are still largely unknown. Both life history aspects are required for effective grassland bird conservation. My first objective was to access nest success of the Dickcissel (Spiza americana) at two remnant and two restored tallgrass prairies in Northwest Arkansas. From May-August 2017 and 2018, I found 114 nests that I monitored to determine …
Fall Migration And Winter Habitat Use Of Northern Saw-Whet Owls (Aegolius Acadicus) In The Ozark Highlands, Mitchell L. Pruitt
Fall Migration And Winter Habitat Use Of Northern Saw-Whet Owls (Aegolius Acadicus) In The Ozark Highlands, Mitchell L. Pruitt
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Studying movement ecology is important not only in understanding the distribution of a species, but in understanding the magnitude of migration through certain regions, as well as explaining regional differences in demographics. The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a small, migratory forest owl found throughout much of North America. Despite being captured widely during fall migration, the species’ movement ecology is poorly understood. Exploratory studies outside the saw-whet owl’s normal range have successfully captured the species during fall migration. In the Ozark Highlands ecoregion of the central United States, their status has been considered vagrant during fall and winter. …
Where In The World Are Pallas's Fish Eagles? Migration And Ecology Of Haliaeetus Leucoryphus In Asia, Marla Lynn Steele
Where In The World Are Pallas's Fish Eagles? Migration And Ecology Of Haliaeetus Leucoryphus In Asia, Marla Lynn Steele
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) is the Northern Hemisphere’s least understood eagle species. Virtually nothing is known concerning the species’ ecology. Historically, Pallas’s Fish Eagles were expected to breed in three separate populations in Mongolia, China, and India and was considered one of the most common raptors in Asia prior to the 1900’s. However, by 1960’s major declines were observed. The species is currently listed as “globally vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The current study examined over a century of Pallas’s Fish Eagle observation data to determine occupancy and detection rates throughout …
Winter And Migratory Habitat Use Of Six Eastern Greater Sandhill Cranes, Hillary L. Thompson, Anne E. Lacy
Winter And Migratory Habitat Use Of Six Eastern Greater Sandhill Cranes, Hillary L. Thompson, Anne E. Lacy
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
To better understand non-breeding ecology of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida), we harnessed 6 satellite GPS transmitters to adult cranes from 1 central Wisconsin breeding area. Using location data from these transmitters, we investigated non-breeding movements, including the routes and timing of migration. By combining satellite GPS data with a national land cover dataset, we also described habitat use on stopovers and wintering areas. Sandhill cranes tended to use larger home ranges on long stopovers (>3 days) than on short stopovers (3 days or less). The durations of northward migrations were longer and had more stopovers than …
A Review Of Fall Sandhill Crane Migration Through Indiana, Allisyn-Marie T. Y. Gillet
A Review Of Fall Sandhill Crane Migration Through Indiana, Allisyn-Marie T. Y. Gillet
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife conducts surveys from October to December to collect long-term data on greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida). Results from these censuses contribute to a fall index of the Eastern Population, which informs wildlife management decisions and research priorities. Recent findings from the annual U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fall Sandhill Crane Migration Survey demonstrate a decline in the number of cranes observed at fall staging areas throughout Indiana since 1979. However, nationwide data exhibit a trend of population increase. I provide evidence to show that the apparent decline in the …
Wintering Ecology Of Adult North American Ospreys, Brian E. Washburn, Charles J. Henny, Mark S. Martell, Richard O. Bierregaard, Brian S. Dorr, Thomas J. Olexa
Wintering Ecology Of Adult North American Ospreys, Brian E. Washburn, Charles J. Henny, Mark S. Martell, Richard O. Bierregaard, Brian S. Dorr, Thomas J. Olexa
Brian S Dorr
North American Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) typically migrate long distances to their wintering grounds in the tropics. Beyond the general distribution of their wintering range (i.e., the Caribbean, South America, and Central America), very little is known about the wintering ecology of these birds. We used satellite telemetry to determine the duration of wintering period, to examine the characteristics of wintering areas used by Ospreys, and to quantify space use and activity patterns of wintering Ospreys. Adult Ospreys migrated to wintering sites and exhibited high wintering site fidelity among years. Overall, Ospreys wintered on river systems (50.6%) more than on lakes …
Whooping Crane Migrational Habitat Use Of The Platte River, Nebraska, 2001-2006, Shay Howlin, Clayton Derby, Dale Strickland
Whooping Crane Migrational Habitat Use Of The Platte River, Nebraska, 2001-2006, Shay Howlin, Clayton Derby, Dale Strickland
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The Platte River Endangered Species Partnership monitored whooping crane (Grus americana) habitat use along the Platte River between Chapman and Lexington, Nebraska during 11 migration seasons from 2001 to 2006. Daily aerial surveys took place in the morning from 21 March to 29 April in the spring and from 9 October to 10 November in the fall. Decoy detection trials were conducted during each of the 11 survey seasons to calculate actual sample inclusion probabilities for crane groups detected during monitoring flights. The detectability model found significant differences in detectability among strata (upland or channel), contractor, and altitude …
Development Of The Whooping Crane Tracking Project Geographic Information System, Martha Tacha, Andy Bishop, Justin Brei
Development Of The Whooping Crane Tracking Project Geographic Information System, Martha Tacha, Andy Bishop, Justin Brei
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The highest losses in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo whooping crane population occur during migration. Conservation and recovery of the endangered whooping crane requires understanding of migration patterns to identify important stopover areas and potential sources of mortality or disturbance. We converted the Cooperative Whooping Crane Tracking Project database, containing more than 3 decades of data on whooping crane sightings, to a geographic information system (GIS) to allow coarse scale spatial analyses of whooping crane migration patterns in the United States portion of the Central Flyway. At this writing, the geodatabase contains point data for 1,981 confirmed whooping crane sightings through the …
Population Status And Geographic Distribution Of Greater Sandhill Cranes In The Mid-Continent Population, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt
Population Status And Geographic Distribution Of Greater Sandhill Cranes In The Mid-Continent Population, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Number and geographic distribution of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) in the mid-continent population (MCP) of sandhill cranes were evaluated. G. c. tabida comprised 7 of 133 (5.3%) individuals of 3 subspecies which projects to 31,579 ± 11,661 (SE) individuals in an estimated spring MCP of 600,000 cranes. From a platform transmitting terminal (PTT)-marked sample representative of the geographic distribution of G. c. tabida, 10 of 13 (77%) settled during the breeding season in east-central Canada/Minnesota, including 4 in northwestern Minnesota, 4 in Manitoba (2 at sites near the Minnesota border), and 2 in Ontario. Three …
Sandhill Crane Migration Chronology And Behavior In Northwestern Texas, Carroll D. Littlefield
Sandhill Crane Migration Chronology And Behavior In Northwestern Texas, Carroll D. Littlefield
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Migrant lesser sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis canadensis) were monitored during 1990-2000 in northwestern Texas as flocks were arriving in autumn and departing in spring; cranes were counted as they passed over an observation point 23 km north of Sudan, Lamb County, Texas. Mean flock size was 34.5 (SD ± 32.6) in autumn and 58.2 (SD ± 45.0) in spring. Most autumn migrants (69.6%) passed in the afternoon, whereas in spring 94% migrated in the morning (1000-1200 hr). Peak period of autumn passage was in October (65%), and in spring all observations were in February-March with the peak usually …
The Direct Autumn Release Of Whooping Cranes Into The Eastern Migratory Population: A Summary Of The First Three Years, Marianne M. Wellington, Richard P. Urbanek
The Direct Autumn Release Of Whooping Cranes Into The Eastern Migratory Population: A Summary Of The First Three Years, Marianne M. Wellington, Richard P. Urbanek
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
This paper describes methods used in an experimental direct autumn release of captive produced whooping cranes (Grus americana) into a reintroduced migratory population in eastern North America. Eighteen chicks (4 in 2005, 4 in 2006, and 10 in 2007) were eventually released in the vicinity of adult whooping cranes or wild sandhill cranes (G. canadensis). Chicks were reared by costumed aviculturists using strict isolation-rearing techniques at the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and then transferred to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin. Initially, 23 chicks were transferred from ICF to Necedah at ages of 17-46 days. …
The Role Of Retrieval And Translocation In A Reintroduced Population Of Migratory Whooping Cranes, Sara E. Zimorski, Richard P. Urbanek
The Role Of Retrieval And Translocation In A Reintroduced Population Of Migratory Whooping Cranes, Sara E. Zimorski, Richard P. Urbanek
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Beginning in 2001, a reintroduction project was initiated using captive-reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) to establish a migratory flock in eastern North America. From May 2003 to August 2008, 23 of these birds were retrieved and translocated in 15 separate events. These individuals consisted of 14 cranes that had been led to Florida by ultralight aircraft on their first autumn migration (UL) and 9 cranes that had been directly released in autumn in Wisconsin (DAR). Of 104 (86 UL and 18 DAR) reintroduced individuals that eventually departed from their release location, 22% were later retrieved 1-3 times. Lake …
Spring Migratory Habits And Breeding Distribution Of Lesser Sandhill Cranes That Winter In West-Central New Mexico And Arizona, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt
Spring Migratory Habits And Breeding Distribution Of Lesser Sandhill Cranes That Winter In West-Central New Mexico And Arizona, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Little information exists on the spring migratory habits and breeding distribution of lesser sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis canadensis) that winter in west-central New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. To address this question, we captured and attached a total of 6 Platform Transmitting Terminals (PTT) to adult lesser sandhill cranes at 2 sites each in west-central New Mexico and southeastern Arizona during December 2001 and monitored the birds’ movements to arrival on their arctic breeding grounds. After departing from their wintering grounds, 2 of the cranes stopped at Monte Vista NWR in south-central Colorado where they stayed for 17 and …
Behavior Comparisons For Whooping Cranes Raised By Costumedcaregivers And Trained For An Ultralight-Led Migration, Glenn H. Olsen, John B. French
Behavior Comparisons For Whooping Cranes Raised By Costumedcaregivers And Trained For An Ultralight-Led Migration, Glenn H. Olsen, John B. French
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The successful reintroduction program being run by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership using whooping cranes (Grus americana) trained to fly behind ultralight aircraft depends on a supply of these trained crane colts each year. The crane colts are hatched from eggs contributed by the various partners and trained to follow costume clad humans and ultralight aircraft at USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, USA. After several seasons of raising small numbers of crane colts (7-14), we wanted to increase the number of birds being trained, but were restrained by limits in our facilities. By altering the established …
A Landscape Perspective Of Whooping Crane Migration Through Nebraska: Conservation And Management Implications, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, Chris Helzer, Paul Tebbel
A Landscape Perspective Of Whooping Crane Migration Through Nebraska: Conservation And Management Implications, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, Chris Helzer, Paul Tebbel
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Past and current discussions of conservation of whooping crane (Grus americana) stopover habitat in Nebraska have long been focused on the Platte River. We evaluated the distribution of whooping crane stopover sites in Nebraska in a broader context to (a) determine the distribution of whooping crane stopover sites on the Platte River relative to other landscapes and (b) use whooping migratory behavior data to systematically define and explain patterns of stopover clusters. The distribution of stopover clusters suggests rainwater basin wetlands and the Platte River may be used interchangeably by migrating whooping cranes. The Rainwater Basin and Platte River appear …
Patterns Of Habitat Use By Whooping Cranes During Migration: Summary From 1977–1999 Site Evaluation Data, Jane E. Austin, Amy L. Richert
Patterns Of Habitat Use By Whooping Cranes During Migration: Summary From 1977–1999 Site Evaluation Data, Jane E. Austin, Amy L. Richert
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We used site evaluation data collected during 1977–1999 to examine patterns of habitat use by whooping cranes (Grus americana) during migration through the United States portion of the Wood Buffalo–Aransas flyway. We examined characteristics of 3 types of stopover habitats: 1) roost sites (n = 141 records), 2) feeding sites (n = 306), and 3) dual-use sites (i.e., where observer recorded cranes as using a site for both roosting and feeding (n = 248). Results in spring were influenced by the large number of records from Nebraska (> 67% of spring records) and in fall by frequent observations …
First Cohort Of Migratory Whooping Cranes Reintroduced To Eastern North America: The First Year After Release, Richard P. Urbanek, Lara E. A. Fondow, Colleen D. Satyshur, Anne E. Lacy, Sara E. Zimorski, Marianne Wellington
First Cohort Of Migratory Whooping Cranes Reintroduced To Eastern North America: The First Year After Release, Richard P. Urbanek, Lara E. A. Fondow, Colleen D. Satyshur, Anne E. Lacy, Sara E. Zimorski, Marianne Wellington
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We describe the post-release movements and survival of the first cohort in the eastern migratory whooping crane (Grus americana) reintroduction from release the first winter through return the second winter. Six cranes were led behind ultralight aircraft from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Central Wisconsin, to Chassahowitzka NWR, Gulf Coast of Florida. After release in Florida, 1 of these cranes and another transported there by truck were killed by bobcats (Lynx rufus). The winter management protocol was modified and no further predation occurred. The 5 remaining cranes migrated unassisted back to Necedah NWR in spring, left …
The Status Of The Common Crane (Grus Grus) In Europe - Breeding, Resting, Migration, Wintering, And Protection, Hartwig Prange
The Status Of The Common Crane (Grus Grus) In Europe - Breeding, Resting, Migration, Wintering, And Protection, Hartwig Prange
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
At present, about 160,000 and 100,000 cranes are migrating on the West-European and on the Baltic-Hungarian routes, respectively, from the northern, middle, and northeastern parts of Europe. On both routes, the resting maxima, simultaneously determined since the 1980’s, has increased three-fold. This increase in migratory cranes is the result of shorter migration routes with higher return rates, a growing passage from the northwestern part of Russia beginning in the 1990’s, and a protected status in the European Union at breeding as well as at many resting and wintering sites. Hence, the cranes learn to find and use new breeding and …
Migration Chronology, Routes, And Distribution Of Pacific Flyway Population Lesser Sandhill Cranes, Michael J. Petrula, Thomas C. Rothe
Migration Chronology, Routes, And Distribution Of Pacific Flyway Population Lesser Sandhill Cranes, Michael J. Petrula, Thomas C. Rothe
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Managers of migratory game birds require accurate information about bird movements to delineate populations, protect important habitats, and regulate harvest. Data describing movements of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) belonging to the Pacific Flyway Population (PFP) are lacking. We used satellite telemetry to monitor movements of PFP lesser sandhill cranes (Grus c. canadensis) captured in the upper Cook Inlet and Bristol Bay regions of Alaska. Satellite transmitters were deployed on 19 flightless young (colts) and 3 adults over 3-years (2000-2002). Chronology, routes, and stopover or staging areas were identified for fall and spring migration periods. On average, …
Initial Training Of Cranes For An Airship Migration, David H. Ellis, Glenn H. Olsen, Jared Kwitowski
Initial Training Of Cranes For An Airship Migration, David H. Ellis, Glenn H. Olsen, Jared Kwitowski
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We describe the first year of our efforts to train cranes to accept the unnatural stimuli associated with being transported south in cages suspended beneath an airship. All 4 experimental cranes readily acclimated to entering a suspended cage and were trained to accept being jostled while in the cage, even when the cage was transported in the back of a pickup truck. With minor changes, the training protocol is ready for use in an actual airship migration.
Migration Routes, Staging Areas, And Wintering Grounds Of Sandhill Cranes That Breed In Siberia, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt
Migration Routes, Staging Areas, And Wintering Grounds Of Sandhill Cranes That Breed In Siberia, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We determined breeding sites, migration routes, spring and fall staging areas, and wintering grounds for sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) from the midcontinent population that nest in Siberia. Our results are from 30 PTT-marked individuals captured and marked along the Platte and North Platte Rivers in Nebraska. Findings indicate the species breeds across a vast area of northeastern Siberia extending at least 1500 km west from near the Bering Strait to the Kolymskaya Plains with most breeding confined to within 75 km of the coast. We describe when PTT-tagged cranes arrived at breeding sites in Siberia, duration of stay, …
Results Of The Utah-Arizona Stage-By-Stage Migrations, David H. Ellis, Carolee Mellon, Matthew Kinloch, Tressa Dolbeare, Damien P. Ossi
Results Of The Utah-Arizona Stage-By-Stage Migrations, David H. Ellis, Carolee Mellon, Matthew Kinloch, Tressa Dolbeare, Damien P. Ossi
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
In an effort to find a safer means of teaching cranes new migration routes, each year (in 1998 and 1999) we transported a group of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) stage-by-stage, in a horse trailer, with stops for brief flights at about 30-km intervals, along a 1300-1400-km fall migration route from Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge (Fish Springs) in west-central Utah to the vicinity of Gila Bend, Arizona. Thereafter, we released them into a wild flock of sandhill cranes. All stage-by-stage birds were hand-reared with both a plastic crane decoy (to encourage them to roost in water) …
Lessons From The Motorized Migrations, David H. Ellis, George F. Gee, Kent R. Clegg, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, William J. L. Sladen
Lessons From The Motorized Migrations, David H. Ellis, George F. Gee, Kent R. Clegg, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, William J. L. Sladen
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Ten experiments have been conducted to determine if cranes can be led on migration and if those so trained will repeat migrations on their own. Results have been mixed as we have experienced the mishaps common to pilot studies. Nevertheless, we have learned many valuable lessons. Chief among these are that cranes can be led long distances behind motorized craft (air and ground), and those led over most or the entire route will return north come spring and south in fall to and from the general area of training. However, they will follow their own route. Groups transported south and …
Promoting Wildness In Sandhill Cranes Conditioned To Follow An Ultralight Aircraft, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, Daniel T. Sprague, David H. Ellis
Promoting Wildness In Sandhill Cranes Conditioned To Follow An Ultralight Aircraft, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, Daniel T. Sprague, David H. Ellis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
During the 1998 field season, we developed and tested a new protocol to teach sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) to follow ultralight aircraft yet avoid humans. Although successful in teaching the cranes a migration route, our previous migration (1997) resulted in birds that were overly tame and sought association with humans. For this study, 16 sandhill cranes were costume-reared at USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and transported to Ontario shortly before fledging. After the birds learned to follow the aircraft, 14 were transported to an isolated wintering site in South Carolina, 1300 km south of the training area. Twelve …
Continuing Studies Of Ultralight Aircraft Applications For Introducing Migratory Populations Of Endangered Cranes, Kent R. Clegg, James C. Lewis
Continuing Studies Of Ultralight Aircraft Applications For Introducing Migratory Populations Of Endangered Cranes, Kent R. Clegg, James C. Lewis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
This research tested whether captive-reared cranes led by an ultralight aircraft (UL) along a migration route, would, after release on a wintering area, integrate with wild cranes and migrate in spring to their natal area without human assistance. This was the historical first motorized migration involving an endangered species. In 1997, whooping cranes (Grus americana) and greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were group-reared in species-specific pens and 80% fledged. Beginning 13 October, 4 whooping cranes and 8 sandhill cranes were led along a 1, 133-km migration route from Grace, Idaho, to Bosque del Apache National …
Results Of The First Ultralight-Led Sandhill Crane Migration In Eastern North America, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, David H. Ellis
Results Of The First Ultralight-Led Sandhill Crane Migration In Eastern North America, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, David H. Ellis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
In 1997, we led 8 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) south from Ontario, Canada by ultralight aircraft to a wintering area near Warrenton, Virginia, an area without a wild population. Six others were transported south in a trailer in hopes they would return north with those that flew. The migration was 863 kIn long, included 14 stops, and took 21 days to complete. A1l13 SUIViving birds were wintered together. In March 1998, the surviving 7 "aircraft-led" birds departed the wintering site. The following day, 6 of the 7 were reported on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The flock …
Results Of The Second (1996) Experiment To Lead Cranes On Migration Behind A Motorized Ground Vehicle, David H. Ellis, Brian Clauss, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, R. Curt Mykut, Matt Shawkey, Daniel P. Mummert, Daniel T. Sprague, Catherine H. Ellis, F. Benjamin Trahan
Results Of The Second (1996) Experiment To Lead Cranes On Migration Behind A Motorized Ground Vehicle, David H. Ellis, Brian Clauss, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, R. Curt Mykut, Matt Shawkey, Daniel P. Mummert, Daniel T. Sprague, Catherine H. Ellis, F. Benjamin Trahan
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Fourteen greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were trained to follow a specially-equipped truck and 12 were led along a ca 620-Ian route from Camp Navajo in northern Arizona to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge near the ArizonalMexico border. Ten survived the trek, 380 Ian of which were flown, although only a few cranes flew every stage of the route. Major problems during the migration were powerline collisions (ca 15, 2 fatal) and overheating (when air temperatures exceeded ca 25° C). The tenacity of the cranes in following both in 1995 and 1996 under unfavorable conditions (e.g., …