Wisconsin Whooping Cranes abandon their nests

The 11 pairs of Whooping Cranes that nested in central Wisconsin this spring have abandoned their nests. One nest failed in mid-April, and seven more were lost between April 30 and May 5. The last three pairs of cranes deserted their nests on Tuesday, May 6, a day when the temperature climbed into the 80s. According to Operation Migration, biologists collected at least seven fertile eggs from the nests and transported them to the International Crane Foundation for incubation.

"The nest desertions are reminiscent of last April, when during the same short space of time, all four 2007 incubating pairs abandoned their nests," notes Liz Condie of Operation Migration. "Then too, the birds leaving their nests appeared to be associated with a surge of warm weather."

On a brighter note, chicks have begun to hatch at the captive breeding center in Patuxent, Maryland. In a few short months, they'll begin learning to follow ultralights for their first migration to Florida. — M.M.

Read our behind-the-scenes report on the crane-reintroduction program.

Read our news story about the deaths of 17 young cranes in Florida in February 2007.