Migrating Whooping Cranes Deserve a Little Space

Every year flocks of Whooping cranes migrate south to wintering grounds in Texas and Florida. The Texas birds are the gene stock of the original wild birds that breed far north in Canada. Many of the Florida birds stem from pen-raised stock at the International Crane Foundation in central Wisconsin. Last autumn 5 of these birds were killed apparently in acts of malice by people with guns in Georgia and Alabama. Tragedies such as these are regrettable at every level and reflect the reverse ethos of people trying to save the birds and people who regard wildlife and nature as a disposable commodity and a socio-political battleground.

But ironically Whooping cranes face a risk as well from the people who do love and want to protect them. Birders eager to get a glimpse of the birds during migration have been known to be aggressive in that pursuit. And that tendency can be difficult to counteract in today's digital age, when a single post to an online birding list can bring hundreds of people to a site where Whooping cranes can be found. Birds trying to establish safe havens during migration once disturbed may choose to avoid otherwise suitable habitat if their instincts and memories collectively tell them it is not safe.

As a long time birder, I'm willing to take a rather unusual but I believe ultimately positive stance on this issue. So let's start with the radical statement: I don't find the Whoopers that migrate through Illinois all that compelling as a bird to find in the wild. I say this with no snobbery or disrespect to the unique and valuable existence of these birds. And they would certainly be exciting to see. But at one point 10 years ago I was able/fortunate to get to Aransas and see birds in that flock. And having seen Whoopers in the wild, I can be satisfied. It is not something of consequence to add them to an Illinois list or anything. As a species they are unique in both the success and difficulty in increasing their numbers. Illinois, however, is just a stop along the way to that goal.

The efforts by scientists at the International Crane Foundation to raise Whooping cranes for release in the wild are noble and needed. And that is true not only with Whooping cranes, but with almost all crane species the world over. But we really must view the Whoopers they raise as a transitory step to the greater goal, the establishment of the viable flock in Florida. So here's a good idea. If you are a birder dying to see Whooping cranes up close, make a trip to Baraboo, Wisconsin and pay the admission fee. You'll get to see many different species of cranes and help the effort to protect them in the wild.

People the world over felt shock hearing that Whooping cranes were killed during last fall's migration. And we can only imagine the frustration and anger that the dedicated people who work so hard to raise and train those birds to migrate must have felt. Given the mood in America, we might almost be surprised that vigilante groups have not formed to find those who perpetrated the killings.

But let's be sure we birders are not vigilantes in pursuing Whooping cranes during an already difficult journey. Disturbing them unnecessarily or gathering huge troops of birders can hardly be considered part of the "natural" movements these birds need to learn to pass their genes along to the next generation, and hopefully the next after that. Think about it: We're dealing with the survival of a species on the face of the earth. A species representative of millions of years of evolution that has been adversely affected by human impact on the habitat they need to survive. So when they choose a field happenstance that seems to fit their needs for the night, or a day, or a week until they move on, it probably is best to respect that and stay the hell back and out of the way. And perhaps not go at all. Don't get me wrong: There is nothing wrong with finding the birds and/or documenting their presence. But the push should probably stop there before the shove takes over. Perhaps the most important role of online bird lists may serve is a virtual one in this instance. Knowing the cranes are there through online documentation should perhaps be enough for most of us. In this case leave the inspection to the experts. And here's something to consider: The best way to find Whooping cranes is to check migrating flocks of sandhill cranes. Your odds are far better in finding one that way, and with no impact to the birds.

There are so many great birders in America, whose skills and expertise in finding birds is admirable and hard won. Their graciousness in sharing discoveries like these should never be abused. Nor should the birds themselves. Simply put, it helps to take a step back and consider that the long term gain of saving the species is worth the short term loss of missing them during migration through your state.

That said, I thrilled one spring afternoon to the sight and sound of hundreds of sandhill cranes floating north on a southeasterly breeze. And then finding another two near a prairie swale at a local forest preserve in Illinois. One bird lifted its wings and danced a little. Silhouetted by the black ground of a full prairie burn, the sandhills looked almost white in the late afternoon sun. We can be grateful this species has apparently grown in numbers, and hope that someday Whoopers can enjoy 1/10th of the success of sandhills.