I spoke with Beth Goodman in Wisconsin this morning to determine if the Holiday Beach Whooping Crane sighting could have involved any of their birds. Based on the evidence trail it appears that the answer is yes. If this was but a brief trip into Ontario, then we may be able to attribute their appearance to the stiff westerly winds yesterday blowing these birds off course, although how long they were actually on this side of the border is not known. They would have been retracing their steps back towards Ohio at the time they were sighted at Holiday Beach. They will eventually end up with the rest of the migrating population in Florida. With the newly established breeding population in Wisconsin, this type of sighting could occur in Ontario during migration in future years, more likely in fall than spring but who knows. It will come down to a combination of the right winds and a lot of luck. You can follow the progression of the new flock of whoopers being shepherded by ultralight aircraft by logging on to www.operationmigration.org Brian Morin Ontario Birding News Cornwall Brian, Nice talking with you this morning! The probable whooping crane sighting you reported from yesterday may have included four of last year's released whooping cranes that summered in Walkinshaw Wetlands in northern Michigan. It is possible the birds you reported seeing around 1 pm in Ontario are the ones reported later in the day in Marion CO, Ohio almost exactly due south of you. I've included Bill Whan and Scott Myers of Ohio in this message in order to reply efficiently to folks. It is helpful to receive reports of whooping crane sightings from interested/supportive birders like you. Also gratifying to hear you all have been following our reintroduction efforts (Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership). A flight through Ontario yesterday underscores another reason we refer to this effort as re-establishing a WC population in eastern North America (not just the United States). Yesterday afternoon's info on whooping cranes from Scott and Carrie: Around 4-4:30 pm Ohio Time (EST): Four whooping cranes at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot Co west of Marion, OH. The sightings mentioned occurred in both Marion and Wyandot counties. They reported leg bands and radio transmitters. When we look at all the info on our migating whoopers (50 total), I believe evidence indicates both the Ontario and Ohio reports pertain to the same birds. Thanks again for your help, Beth B. Goodman Whooping Crane Coordinator Endangered Resources Program, WI Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707 ph: 608/266-3219; fax: 608/267-2925; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Conserving Wisconsin's rare plants and animals, natural communities,and State Natural Areas.
