Aransas Bay Birding Charters

03/15/2024

03/14/2024

This Whooping Crane needs justice

We are incredibly saddened to share the news that L4-23, who epitomized the partnerships and cooperation involved in reintroducing a species, was found dead of a gunshot wound in January. He originated from an egg produced by a pair of cranes at the International Crane Foundation, was raised at the Dallas Zoo, then was transferred to the Audubon Species Survival Center in New Orleans, to join several other chicks reared there, before coming to us for release last November.

There is currently a substantial reward being offered by multiple organizations for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Please see press release at link below for additional information.

https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/12500-reward-offered-for-information-on-shooting-of-endangered-whooping-crane-in-evangeline-parish

03/06/2024

Facts about the Whooping Cranes favorite food

Did you know the blue crab's scientific name, Callinectes sapidus, means "beautiful swimmer that is savory" 👀

These crustaceous critters can be found along the Atlantic Coast of the Americas from Nova Scotia to Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico and the .

Blue crab distribution varies with age, s*x and season - they tend to be abundant in shallow-water areas during warmer weather and grow more quickly in warm water. As the water temperature drops each year, the crabs burrow into sediment in the deeper parts of Bays for the winter.

The red tips on the claws, like the one in this photo, indicates that the crab is a mature female.

03/06/2024

Cool fact I didn’t know about Whooping Cranes

03/02/2024

Sandhill Crane viewing etiquette

Cranes are wary birds that flush when approached. Approaching birds that are roosting on the river should never be done. This will stress the birds and even cause collisions with unseen obstacles, such as power lines. The best way to observe birds on the roost is from established viewing sites that are found throughout the area.

Read more about crane viewing etiquette in the link below.
https://visitkearney.org/sandhill-crane-viewing-etiquette/

Sandhill Crane. Photo: Kimerble Stark.

03/02/2024

Nice viewing spots for Sandhill Crane migration

If you’re planning a road trip to see the Migration this spring – we have a few favorite viewing spots between Grand Island and Kearney, all conveniently located right along I-80.

• The Crane Trust, 9325 Alda Rd S, Wood River, NE 68883
• Windmill State Park, 2625 Lowell Rd, Gibbon, NE 68840
• Plautz Crane Viewing Deck, 47751 Elm Island Rd, Shelton, NE 68876
• Fort Kearny State Recreation Area Hike & Bike Bridge, 2196 30 Rd, Kearney, NE 68847

03/02/2024

For those of you interested in the Sandhill Crane migration, this is a great way to stay connected

Leap Day Crane Count!
On Thursday, our team led by Wildlife Biologist Bethany Ostrom, observed an estimated 272,000 (+/- 43,000) Sandhill Cranes. For the third consecutive time, this is the highest weekly count on record! The previous highest February counts were in 2016, another warmer-than-average year.
You might ask... WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PEAK NUMBERS?
Honestly, we don't know! 😊 https://cranetrust.org/news-events/
Click the link to read Bethany's blog post for insights into past patterns that might help us guess when peak numbers could occur this year.

03/02/2024

Great art by Louisiana students!

02/13/2024

Whooping Crane popcorn

02/11/2024

Grey green family
Walking tword and past the boat

02/11/2024

Grey green family

02/11/2024

Yellow white green family

02/04/2024

Whoop whoop!
Exciting news for this rare and highly endangered bird!

Thanks to extensive conservation efforts of federal, state and private landowners, whooping crane populations have increased significantly since being listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1967, with only 50 of the birds existing at the time.

A 2023 survey conducted at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge shows that the whooping crane population in Texas is remaining stable with an estimated 536 cranes, the sixth year in a row the number has been above the 500 mark!

Read more about this resilient bird in our January/February issue or online at https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2024/jan/scout14b_conservation/index.phtml
Photo by Jeff Parker