A Comprehensive Reveiw of Observational and Site Evaluation Data of Migrant Whooping Cranes in the United States, 1943-1999

• Description: related to the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership ‎(aka Platte River Recovery Implementation Program or PRRIP)‎
• State: CO
• State: WY
• State: NE
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 3/1/2001
• Author: U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center and University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• Title: A Comprehensive Review of Obswervational and Site Evaluation Data of Migrant Whooping Cranes in the United States, 1943 -1999 - DRAFT
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

DEVELOPMENT OF OBSERVATION AND SITE EVALUATION
DATABASES
Two data sets with information about whooping crane sightings were developed during 1943 -99.
The type and amount of information in the data sets changed over time. The following history of the
databases provides insight on the general characteristics of data collected and idiosyncracies that exist in
the computerized databases. Most specifically, it describes when changes occurred and how the method of
data collection may influence results of analyses.
Records of whooping crane stopover sightings have been documented since 1943. Prior to 197
however, there was no flyway -wide organized effort to identify and record whooping crane sightings during
In spring .1974, 9 whooping cranes were sighted in the Rainwater Basin region of south- central
migration. p g
Nebraska during an avian cholera outbreak. This incident caused biologists to realize the importance of
protecting whooping cranes during migration. First, more information was needed about general migration
movements and habitat use at stopover sites. To gain information, the Cooperative Whooping Crane
Tracking Project began in the United States and Canada during fall 1975. The United States portion of the
program was coordinated by the Endangered Species Supervisor, USFWS Area office, Pierre, South
Dakota. The Canadian Wildlife Service generated a form for reporting whooping crane sightings
(Appendix 1: Report Form 1). No standardized reporting form was developed for the United States
sightings until 1977 when the National Audubon Society (NAS) organized a whooping crane reporting
network, to boost the effort in monitoring sightings of whooping cranes. A goal of the NAS was to help
coordinate public sightings with the USFWS program. A whooping crane reporting form (Appendix 1:
Report Form 2) was developed by USFWS to standardize descriptions of sightings and to classify sightings
as confirmed, probable, or unconfirmed (as defined in Whooping Crane Recovery Plan).
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