Sunday, Nov 15 was a big day for Whooping Cranes in Winnebago County. In the morning, the flock of youngsters being led south by ultralight aircraft on their first migration got underway again after a delay of nine or ten days. Strong south winds and equipment problems had kept them stuck in Winnebago.

In the afternoon five adult Whooping Cranes migrating south from Wisconsin, on their own, stopped in the Nygren Wetlands. Many observers watched them as they rested and fed with many Canada Geese, Mallards and five Sandhill Cranes. It was quite a sight. The human observers were all extremely well-behaved and quiet while we were there. It is important for all of us to remember that it is critical for the birds’ well-being that we continue to be well-behaved when Whoopers are present. There is precious little habitat for them in this area and we don’t really know whether or not they will return to a place where they have been bothered or frightened away in the past. Nygren is a wonderful place for them. It would be great, for them and us, if they felt secure there and made a habit of using that marsh in migration.