Good News

Whooping cranes are making a strong comeback. Although the flock numbers only about 237, that is one heck of a lot better than the 15 or so it was down to not many years ago. I actually remember when these really large birds were put on the Endagered Species list. Most people back then did not think the species could be saved as I recall. So this is a remarkable success. 

 Whooping cranes rebounding in Texas

HARLINGEN, Texas - Once down to about 15, the world's only naturally migrating flock of whooping cranes has continued its comeback, now numbering a record 237 birds in wintering grounds along Texas' Gulf Coast.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Tom Stehn, who tracks the flock, said 45 cranes were born last year, including a rare seven sets of twins.

He credited the increase to mild weather at their nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Canada's boreal forest. There, the birds begin their 2,500-mile migration route from their summering grounds to Texas.

"They avoided having that cold weather hit, that just-above-freezing and drizzle that seems to kill the chicks," he said.

Stehn flies at low altitudes over the 35-mile stretch of Texas coastline where the birds feast on blue crab and wolfberries. The cranes tend to stay in family groups in territories about a mile wide.

Stehn, who plots the groups on photocopied maps of the areas, counted 220 of the endangered species in 2005.

Wildlife officials say the whooping crane, the tallest bird in North America, illustrates how a concerted effort of legislation and public awareness can help a species rebound.

Blue Crab Boulevard was not able to get a picture of the whooping cranes rebounding, but we did manage to catch them on a fast break.

(Oh, come on, you couldn't expect us to pass that line up, even on a serious story! More resources on whooping cranes here and here.)

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  By Lars Walker, Sunday, 7 January , 2007 @ 6:07 pm

  Just goes to show what a benefit to all species Global Warming is.

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