WOOD RIVER, Neb. — The Crane Trust is seeking volunteers to watch for whooping cranes again.
Each spring, typically the last two weeks of March through April, the endangered wild population of whooping crane migrates north from Texas to Canada. Nebraska is a significant stopover location.
“These majestic birds come to the Platte River for rest and rejuvenation before continuing onward to their breeding grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada,’’ said Dr. Karine Gil, a crane population ecologist.
The wild whooping crane population has increased from a low of 16 in 1941 to the current known population of 263.
Last year, 17 individual whoopers were sighted in Hall County, near the Platte River. Additional sightings occurred in Phelps, Kearney, Brown, Custer, Lincoln, Cherry, Fillmore, Gosper, Keya Paha, Garfield, Holt and Rock Counties.
Free “Whooper Watch” training sessions will be held at the Crane Trust office, one mile south of the Interstate 80 exit at Alda and then 1.5 miles east. Times and dates for training are 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. March 10.
Gil said whoopers are very reclusive. People who spot the cranes should keep their distance and view with binoculars. To volunteer for training, or if you see a whooper, call the Whooper Watch Line at 1-888-399-2824.
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