WSP02897

• File Number: 8443.600
• Description: Narrows Unit - Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 2/1/1978
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Special Report Investigation of Review Issues Narrows Unit- Colorado Pick - Sloan Missouri Basin Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Table 2 indicates the variability in the total number of reported
whooping crane stghttngs between th.eyears of 1949-1977. However,
due to intenstveresearch and protection programs, the population
has increased rather dramatically to an estimated 71 birds in
January 1978.

Table 2.~-Total number of whooping cranes sighted in Nebraska
(1949-1977) y
Known no. Number of birds Percent of existing
Season Year of 1'111 d birds seen in Nebraska wil d floc.k
Fall 1949 34 2 06
Spri ng 1950 y 34 3 09
Spring 1958 26 3 12
Fall 1959 33 2 06
Fall 1960 y 36 3 08
Fall 1964 35 4 11
Fall 1965 42 3 07
Fall 19662/ 43 5 12
Spring 1968 48 2 04
Spring 1969 50 1 02
Fall 1969 56 1 02
Spring 1970 56 2 04
Fall 1971 59 8 14
Fall 1972 51 3 06
Spring 1973 51 4 08
Fall 1973 49 3 06
Spri ng 1974 47 4 09
Fall 1974 49 16 33
Spri ng 1975 49 16 33
Fall 1975 57 6 11
S pri ng 1976 57 9 16
Fall 1976 69 22 32
Spring 1977 69 1 01
Fall 1977 71 7 10
-
Total 130

y Si9hting sources: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Fish and
WildHfe Service, Nebraska Ornithologists Union, Dr. J. Bleise.
Y For the years 1951-1957, 1961-1963, and 1967, no confi rmed si ghti ngs
of whooping cranes were noted duri ng an extensive 1 iteraturerevi ew.
This fact,however, does not preclude the possibility of verifiable,
but unreported, sightings of whooping cranes in Nebraska during these
years.

35

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