Published: November 20, 2009 06:04 am      

Keeping an eye out for Whooping Cranes

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is asking the community to report any Whooping Crane sightings as part of a collaborative effort to monitor their migration.

“The Whooping Crane is an endangered species. Today there are only 247 in the entire world, and at one time their numbers were as far down at 16,” said Refuge Manager Greg Birkenfeld. “Through a recovery plan, that includes a monitoring and tracking them, their numbers have increased but it’s far from being taken off the endangered list.”

Whooping Cranes have begun their 2009 fall migration with many migrating through Oklahoma. Becky Wolff, who is the outdoor recreation planner at Salt Plains NWR, said they would like people to keep on the lookout for their arrival around Alfalfa County and at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.

This is already a record year for Salt Plains NWR, said Wolff. Over 44 Whooping Cranes have been spotted on or around Salt Plains NWR within the last week, with one group numbering 36 Whooping Cranes. Many Whooping Cranes will make the fall migration alongside thousands of Sandhill Cranes.

Reports from the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge state that refuge biologists spotted over 50 Whooping Cranes in one group. Wolff said she hopes those cranes will be arriving on Salt Plains in the upcoming weeks and she urges people to be on the lookout for these magnificent birds.

Adult Whooping Cranes are white all over, with a red crown and facial skin. They have black wing tips that are shown in flight. Immature cranes are whitish, with a pale reddish-brown head and neck. Immature cranes will also have a scattered reddish-brown speckling of feathers over the rest of its body.

The 2009 fall flight will mark the 68th monitored Whoping Crane migration through the cooperative efforts of many people from central Canada and the United States. Wolff said it would be greatly appreciated that any Whooping Crane sightings be reported to Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge Biologist Ron Sheppard at (580) 626-4794.

In other happenings at Salt Plains NWR, the Refuge Manager said the public hunting area will be closed for the next three weekends to accommodate controlled deer hunts. Deer hunting on the refuge and in the public hunting area is by permit only.

As the deer population continues to be at high levels, the controlled hunts are necessary to manage the deer population. Managing the deer helps to prevent habitat destruction and to maintain the health of the wildlife and of the habitat.

The public hunting area will be closed at noon Saturday until 2 p.m. Monday. The public hunting area will also be closed the weekends of Nov. 28 through Nov. 30 and Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 for the same times as listed above.