14 Whooping Cranes Spend Nights In Chicago-Area Park - ENN

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GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. — More than a dozen whooping cranes took temporary refuge at a DuPage County forest preserve, sparking hope among local officials that one of North America's most endangered birds will make the park a regular stop on an annual migratory flight between Wisconsin and Florida.

The 14 whooping cranes, which hatched last year from captive parents, stopped for two nights at the East Branch Forest Preserve near Glendale Heights, west of Chicago, park officials said.

"It's a possibility they could stop in again," said Scott Meister, an animal ecologist for the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.

The birds, which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service workers have tracked with radio transmitters since leaving Florida's Gulf Coast on March 28, are likely to follow the same migration routes every year, scientists said. They arrived Thursday back at their summer home in Wisconsin's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.


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http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10236

[Lorien]

1. Magnificent birds-I've seen them here in Florida just once

the make even tha sandhill cranes look a little petite! Encouraging that that many have been seen at one time.

[Imalittleteapot]

2. You should post this in the birders forum.

I thought I saw a crane tonight...don't know what kind.