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!
W4-22
Sex: Unknown
Hatch Date: May 7, 2022
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
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
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.