Chicagoans have been enjoying the sight, and strait, of sandhill cranes migrating overhead in recent days as the big, raucous birds wing their means south .
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The region ’ s bird lovers eagerly anticipate the annual flyover but for regular observers of the cranes, this class ’ second migration was cause for anxiety.
People checking the hebdomadally bird consider provided by officials at Indiana ’ s Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area — a primary rest blockage for cranes along the eastern migration route before their final examination push to Florida — noticed numbers were dramatically lower than expected. For mention : hebdomadally counts in 2020 steadily grew from 11,255 in early November to more than 16,000 on Nov. 17. In 2021, fewer than 2,000 sandhill cranes had arrived at Jasper-Pulaski by Nov. 2 and just 4,452 were on site Nov. 18 .
Considering the Midwest subspecies of sandhill crane had once been reduced to precisely two twelve nesting pairs, fears of a unplayful population decline were front of mind .
Turns out, the birds were plainly procrastinating .
On Tuesday, Jasper-Pulaski reported 28,652 cranes, the biggest increase Nathaniel Miller, conservation director for Audubon Great Lakes, said he can recall .
“ I ’ thousand glad those numbers came in, ” said a relieved Miller, who theorized that the strong fall weather likely played a role in delaying the cranes ’ passing from their northerly breed territory .
“ Bird migration is hush ill silent. But we know they are cued by weather, ” he said .
indeed, the cranes have gradually been arriving at Jasper-Pulaski late and later in the class due to rising temperatures caused by climate change, Miller said, though never to such assume impression as this class.
While sandhill cranes have proven themselves bouncy, shifts in their migrant habits could outpace their ability to adjust, he said. For exemplar, the wetland-loving birds could head farther north in the summer, chasing cooler temperatures, only to encounter afforest areas ill-suited for their needs .
It ’ s a warning alarm that ’ randomness growing forte and more insistent, Miller said, lending urgency to legislation like the proposed Growing Climate Solutions Act, which would encourage farmers to employ practices like maintaining or restoring wetlands on acreage that presently provides short for wildlife in terms of food or protection .
“ so much of our land is privately owned, we have to be able to work on these lands, ” said Miller .
In the here and nowadays, Miller encouraged people to take in the spectacle of tens of thousands of sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski, a gather he likened to a festival for the birds .
Cranes, he said, are highly social birds, always talking. They form tightknit family units that migrate together ( unlike Chicago ’ s beloved plovers ) and will hang out for weeks at Jasper-Pulaski, making friends the same way humans shackle with neighbors. There ’ randomness a sense that cranes will even decide when to take their leave of Jasper-Pulaski based on when their pals are ready to go, Miller said .
They ’ re such an incredible species, he said, and a great motivative gene to push ahead with conservation efforts .
“ Birds are durable, ” said Miller, “ if you give them a fighting casual. ”
Contact Patty Wetli : @ pattywetli | ( 773 ) 509-5623 | [ e-mail protected ]
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.