W1-22
Sex: Unknown
Hatch Date: May 2, 2022
Spring 2022: This year, 12-11 and 5-11 successfully fledged chick W1-22, who hatched in early May. This little one has been living with their parents in Juneau County. We are excited for this new addition to the population!
Fall 2022: W1-22 and parents 5-11 and 12-11 migrated to southern Illinois this fall. When it got colder, they disappeared, so we think they went further south. Usually, this pair disappears in the winter, so maybe this will be the year that someone will report them on the wintering grounds. We’re glad to see them doing well!
Fall 2023: W1-22 was previously sighted associating with W3-20. However, in September, W3-20 separated from W1-22, who left Adams County, Wisconsin in early December and traveled to Morgan County, Alabama. W1-22 typically is sighted among Sandhill Cranes, but they have been seen associating with other Whooping Cranes at Wheeler NWR. We hope W1-22 will find a mate soon!
Spring 2024: W1-22 migrated to Adams County, Wisconsin alone, stopping in Will County, Illinois along the way. They have remained alone throughout the spring and summer, but we hope they find some other Whooping Cranes soon!
Fall 2024: W1-22 spent the rest of summer alone in Wisconsin, making a short trip in Iowa County, Wisconsin before returning to their usual summering grounds in Adams County, Wisconsin. From here, they embarked on their third fall migration, arriving in Gibson County, Indiana in October. While we believe this is W1-22, it could also be another unbanded crane, W13-23. They have been seen hanging out with 84-21, so we are curious to see if this association continues into 2025!
Spring 2025: W1-22 continued to spend time with 84-21 over the winter in Gibson County, Indiana. However, in January W1-22 was seen in Tennessee and Kentucky with 21-23 and 22-23, but this could’ve been another unbanded crane, W13-23. W1-22 was on the move, and they were seen in Gibson County again in early March with 6-15. In late March, W1-22 was spotted with 25-10 at Necedah NWR in Wisconsin but was later seen alone in Adams County in May. W1-22 is keeping us on our toes and seems set on meeting a variety of cranes, so we are curious to see who they spend the fall and winter with!
W4-22
Sex: Unknown
Hatch Date: May 7, 2022
Died: During winter ’23/’24
Spring 2022: This spring, W1-19 and 1-17 successfully fledged W4-22, who hatched in late May. This little one has been living with their parents in Portage County. ICF staff captured and banded this chick in mid-July and are excited about this new addition to the population!
Fall 2022: W4-22 spent the rest of the summer with their parents in Wisconsin, where they fledged and stretched their wings in preparation for migration! They migrated in fall to Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Greene County, Indiana, where they’ve been hanging out with other Whooping Cranes.
88-22
Sex: Female
Hatch Date: May 26, 2022
Died: December 2022
Fall 2022: Xena, or 88-22, was slated to be released in Wisconsin this fall. However, due to an injury, her release was postponed until she had a clean bill of health. By that time, many Whooping Cranes had already migrated, so she was released on the wintering grounds at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Greene County, Indiana. She associated with Whooping Cranes on the wintering grounds, particularly with a family group consisting of 1-17, W1-19, and W4-22. Unfortunately, 88-22 didn’t make it through the winter. We think she died of bobcat predation, but we can’t be certain.
90-22
Sex: Female
Hatch Date: June 7, 2022
Died: November 2022
Fall 2022: Whirligig, or 90-22, was released at White River Marsh in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, during fall. She associated with other Whooping Cranes almost right away, particularly adult pair 67-15 and 3-17, who “adopted” parent-reared birds 85-21 and 79-19 in previous years! Unfortunately, 90-22 died during migration, likely due to a vehicle collision.
