Sunday Newspaper Article

Fairly decent International Crane Foundation article in today's Journal Sentinel Cue section.

Travel

A black crowned crane checks out the scene at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo. Photo By International Crane Foundation

International Crane Foundation isn't just for birders

By Chelsey Lewis

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Photos

• International Crane Foundation
• A prairie tale

What: Follow the call of the crane at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo.
I can hear his call before I see him. A throaty mix of noise that sounds like an auto-tuned car horn and trumpet — difficult to describe but impossible to ignore. As I round the northern side of the Johnson Exhibit Pond at the ICF headquarters, I finally see the majestic animal: a tall, elegant, hooded crane, proudly stalking along the fence of his enclosure, challenging anyone to trespass on his territory.
The bird is one of 15 species of cranes at the foundation, located on a 225-acre campus of restored prairie and woodland landscape between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells in central Wisconsin. This is the only place in the world to see every living species of crane, the world's tallest flying bird.
"I think a lot of people think they need to be world-class birders to come here, but you don't have to. You just have to love nature," says Kate Fitzwilliams, marketing/PR specialist for the foundation.
She's right. The expansive, well-maintained grounds have something for everyone, with plenty of descriptive plaques and opportunities for getting a close look at a multitude of cranes. Plus, more than four miles of trails wind through 100 acres of restored prairie, woodlands and wetlands.
"I can't believe this international foundation is here," a woman whispers to her husband during a recent tour. I share her marvel as I walk the grounds, gawking at one impressive bird after another and learning more about the widespread reach of the foundation.
Why Wisconsin? The foundation got its start in 1973 when two ornithology students — George Archibald and Ron Sauey — turned their passion for cranes into action, converting the Sauey family's horse farm in Baraboo into a reserve for breeding, research and conservation.
Forty years later, the foundation continues to lead and support conservation programs, research projects, breeding and reintroduction efforts, and the restoration of wetlands and grasslands on five continents.
And while the foundation's focus may seem narrow, its effect is anything but small. The foundation has long believed one of the best ways to restore and protect crane populations is by engaging communities in conserving the habitats the cranes live in. This has led to the restoration of ecosystems around the world, which in turn has positively affected other species, as well as humans.
Wisconsin is home to two crane species: the sandhill crane and the rarest of cranes, the endangered whooping crane. As recently as the 1940s, less than 20 whooping cranes existed. Thanks to extensive work by the ICF and one of its founders, Archibald, the population is now nearing 600 and climbing. This year, the ICF hatched 11 whooping cranes, nine of which will be released into the wild as part of the organization's direct autumn release program.
The unique program is being documented by Tom Lynn, a former Journal Sentinel photographer, who is following the chicks from their birth to their release. Last year, Lynn documented the ICF's prairie restoration work, creating the stunning "Bloom" photo exhibit on display through October in the foundation's education center. Follow Lynn's "Hatch to Release" project on his blog.
Don't miss: Give yourself plenty of time to explore the grounds — at least three hours. A guided tour, which lasts about two hours, is the best way to learn about each of the crane species and ask questions of the knowledgeable guides and naturalists. Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on weekends in April, May, September and October.
After the tour, stop by the education center to see "Bloom" as well as other interactive exhibits, including a crane chick cam, which provides a live look at the 11 whooping cranes being reared by the staff. The small chicks grow an astonishing inch every day and are ready to be released into the wild in just five months.
Don't leave without taking a stroll on some of the nature trails.
"It's so peaceful," Fitzwilliams says. "It's one of the most beautiful walks in the area." The trails are well-maintained, and on a recent weekday visit I had them to myself during a brief afternoon hike.
When to go: The campus is open to the public daily April 15 through October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer is a great time to see the prairie in full bloom and avoid school groups that visit for field trips in spring and fall. "But if you love cranes," Fitzwilliams says, "spring is always exciting, because they're mating and are excited to see people." Fall, she adds, of course brings its own beauty to the prairie with the changing leaves.
Upcoming events: Visit during the Cranes of the World Festival on Aug. 10 for a variety of family-friendly activities including a bird hike, a nature walk, arts and crafts, face painting, and presentations with live animals by humorist David Stokes.
The foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary Sept. 28 at Discovery World in Milwaukee with the Salute to the Dawn gala, featuring speakers Jane Goodall and George Archibald and emceed by actress Jane Alexander and ICF President and CEO Richard Beilfuss.
While you're there: See the former winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. Circus at Circus World, which also boasts the world's largest collection of authentic circus wagons. 550 Water St., Baraboo; (608) 356-8341.
Chase a slice of pizza with a local brew at Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. The restaurant and microbrewery also sells six-packs of its popular Rustic Red and Honey Ale to take home. 110 Wisconsin Dells Parkway South, Wisconsin Dells; (608) 254-1122.
Stock up on hand-dipped chocolates, taffy and other treats and watch the candy being made in an open-view kitchen at Swiss Maid Fudge. 743 Superior St., Wisconsin Dells; (877) 305-7771.
How much it will set you back: Admission is $9.50 for adults, $8 for seniors (62 and older) and students (with valid ID), $5 for kids ages 6 to 17 and free for those 5 and younger. Tours are included with the admission price.
Family memberships to the ICF are normally $50 but are being offered at a special rate of $40 for the foundation's anniversary. In addition to supporting the organization's work, membership benefits include free admission and a behind-the-scenes look at areas normally off-limits to the public during the annual Member Appreciation Day.
Getting there: The ICF is at E11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, about a two-hour drive from Milwaukee via I-94 and Highway 12.
More info: (608) 356-9462, savingcranes.org

A Sand County Visit

There's a lot more to do in the Baraboo area than you'd think. I'm still in the early stages of my brief but regular visits to the area, but I'm finding there's many future discoveries to be made to help make each trip interesting, and I'm not talking water parks.

I haven't been to the Circus World Museum yet, but I've been to the Ho-Chunk casino and, last trip, to the International Crane Foundation. Since borrowing the idea for this blog's title from an Aldo Leopold book, and reading the book, I knew it'd be just a matter of time before I'd visit the "shack".

Surprisingly, The Leopold Center isn't far from where I was, just on the other side of the freeway as a matter of fact. Finding it is another matter. It's a well-hidden, well-kept secret a couple miles down a narrow tree-lined lane called a "Rustic Road" on the small sign at the turnoff.

The Leopold Legacy Center is an absolutely beautiful, completely energy efficient set of buildings down a ways from Leopold's original shack and farm. I was an only visitor when I got there around 10:30, but was assured many show up for the guided tour at 1:00.

The center's buildings present a perfect use of old building methods and completely modern technology. Franklin stoves and log construction combined with solar panels and no-water toilets. In a compliment to Aldo Leopold's conservation ethic, the buildings actually generate more energy than they use and all logs for the buildings were cut from his farm and likely planted by him and his family.

I was offered one of half a dozen different mosquito sprays as I paid my $7.00 to visit the shack and farm, but declined. Several donated bicycles are also available free for use, so I hopped on one of the sturdy three-speeds for the modest ride. Hiking trails surround the Center, but they don't lead to the farm.

Finding the farm is about as difficult as finding the Center only worse, because it's not marked at all. It's the honor system, and I like it. (We're asked to not copy or share the map.) It felt so natural to just ride my bike to a secret, secluded location and explore the trails alone, as no one else was yet around. I stuck my head in the outhouse and wandered down to the river. Mosquitoes were present, but what really pained me was when I tried walking barefoot on the hot sand. Ouch! Knowing how the Leopold's planted thousands of pines on the once barren property I made effort to intentionally fill my lungs with their scent.

Upon leaving I came upon a family who'd been driving around awhile trying to find the entrance. I stopped to help and they mentioned they'd been told other cars would be parked there. There weren't, which would help explain their confusion.

The Center, Shack and Farm, I can see, wouldn't be for everyone. It reminded me most, with good reason, of a nature center. You could safely assume youngsters would probably have a better time at the water park, but some adults would surely appreciate all the Leopold's stood for and that Aldo's legacy is still alive and well.

Final results

Very proud to announce the final numbers for the 2013 Annual Midwest Crane Count - Waukesha County are in. We counted 333 cranes in two hours April 13th! Between the 26 crane sites with 29 total checklists and 40+ counters we also noted 57 other bird species! Only three sites reported no cranes sighted. Thank you everyone!

Myself and one other crane counter made a brief visit to International Crane Foundation in Baraboo last weekend. Weather was a little on the cool side, but all but one of the crane species was out and prancing, dancing and unison calling. Quite the incredible sight.

One unexpected gift came via the gift shop. As crane counters we received 10% off our purchases. Got several very nice items for a reasonable price, among them Marshland Elegy, Aldo Leopold's sandhill crane essay.

As the Leopold Foundation and Aldo's shack is in the Baraboo area I intend to plan my next Baraboo visit to include a stop there.

And the best part was . . .

2013 count is in the books. Awoke to light snow, 34 degrees and windy. So much rain last week it wasn't easy to find a solid spot along Maple Road to park the car. Sunrise was at 6:13, but the sun never appeared during two hour count. Totally overcast.

I walked the entire length of my site, got a lot of fresh air and exercise, but never saw nor heard a crane.

Even though my site is one of the closest to our meeting spot after the count at Deb's Diner in Dousman, I wasn't the first one there. I had so many concerns about Deb's. Would anyone show? Would too many show and there wouldn't be tables? Would counters show and I wouldn't recognize them? Turns out things went beautifully at Deb's. Plenty of tables all in the same vicinity. Counters easily recognizable. About 20 showed up, most of them turning in their data sheets. Meeting was a great idea and I will always do so after future counts. Meeting at Deb's is also something I'd like to continue. Having a crowd like us fill half the dining room meant so much more to them than it would've at a huge place like Machine Shed, I felt.

Only one other counter I've so far heard from neither saw nor hear any cranes. In total, we had well over 100, and probably closer to 200 cranes counted just between the people at Deb's.

I had no trouble entering the data in ebird. At least two counters already entered their own results.
My site was rolling farmland, trees and residential. There isn't a lot of wetland so it's understandable why I didn't see any cranes. Counters with rivers or wetlands in their area noted the flooding, which probably affected nesting activity and overall numbers.

Even though I didn't see cranes this year I did learn an awful lot. Or at least I learned how much I don't know. Some counters who've been birding for a while were able to identify so many other species of birds. One even knew the wind speed, longitude, latitude and altitude besides the temperature.

Our smallest site actually had the most counters. A 35 acre site in Dousman was counted by two families with three small children. All six of them joined us at Deb's and had the largest table all to themselves. Told us they even built a little fire to keep warm yet still were able to count seven cranes.

Site 1 in the Scuppernong Prairie area easily saw the most cranes and most activity. The counter is still entering her data so I don't have details, but I believe it's in the 70s. She told us she even saw two cranes courtship dancing.

These are some great photos from Francie, a new counter at site 24 near Golden Lake who did double duty with Don and counted two sites for a total of 53 cranes. You can really tell how overcast it was from these photos. Why we start counting at 5:30 when it's still dark I'll never know, but these photos probably didn't have the benefit of a whole lot of sunlight. Either way, great photos! The last one is neat - flaps down, coming in for a landing. Thanks Francie for sharing these.

Thanks everyone for counting in less than ideal weather. We hope you'll join us again next year.

just hours

The count's just hours away. What a wet week it's been! Rain every day this week. Flooding. Cold. Even had some hail. Monday or Tuesday I left work early because of a power outage.

Fortunately Saturday should be dry, but with rain today it's still going to be cold and damp.

When I scouted my new site last Saturday I didn't see a lot of wetlands. I don't think that will be a problem tomorrow. There should be lots of wet lands.

Cameras are charged and binoculars are cleaned and ready to go. A little nervous about walking a dark road at 5:30 a.m., but it's only once a year for two hours. I'm more excited than anxious.

Hoping for many cranes tomorrow.

6 days and count-ing

My first count as county coordinator is less than a week away. Long-range weather forecast is calling for 30s to 40s and partly cloudy but dry.
Drove my new site, 142, last evening. It's not far from home and has a road running right through it. I didn't see a lot of water. Farm fields, yes, but few marshy areas. If nothing else, it's a beautiful area for a walk. Very nice, palatial homes and many mature oaks adjacent to Maple Ave. The site is north of Wales between Hwy. 18 and I-94 and the only parallelogram-shaped site in Waukesha. I used to roam the area 25 or more years ago in my aluminum recycling days, and it's since then changed a bit.

The other site in this view, 51, is the site I've counted the last 12 or more years. Not really knowing what the other sites looked like, I always thought my site was best because it was at Retzer Nature Center, which is beautiful. I never had to trespass on private property! Problem was there weren't a whole lot of cranes. I've been skunked there on more than one occasion. I was happy to share this site with a new counter this year for that reason. I'm looking forward to new territory, and hopefully more cranes.

As many counters as can make it will be meeting at Deb's Main Street Diner in Dousman after the count. I'm hoping for a good turnout.

new press release

Spring is here, and soon millions of migrating birds will be heading to, and through, our fine state.

In just a few short weeks all of Wisconsin, and portions of surrounding states, will be involved with the 38^th Annual Midwest Crane Count in documenting one of the most magnificent birds in North America.

I first became interested as a counter a dozen years ago when a Wisconsin crane hunt was first mentioned. Today the hunt is a lot closer to reality, but I've since discovered other reasons for counting the tallest, and possibly loudest, birds found in the wild.

First, I'm guaranteed at least a couple of peaceful outdoor hours every spring to enjoy a beautiful sunrise over kettles, drumlins and moraines left from the last ice age. Hearing the ancient-sounding crane call takes me back to that long-ago era in Waukesha's history.

Also, documenting the proliferation and movement of the more numerous sandhills helps with establishing the eastern flock of endangered whooping cranes, who share the same habitat.

If you might be interested in joining us for two of the best hours you'll spend this spring, I'm interested in talking with you. Waukesha County has 52 counting sites, with most of them still available. This year's count is April 13^th, a Saturday, between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. We hope you'll consider joining us.

Check out the A Sandhill Counter Almanac blog: http://midwestcranecount.blogspot.com/

facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WaukeshaCountyCraneCount

or International Crane Foundation's website: http://www.savingcranes.org/ for more information, or contact me: Brien at (262) 549-5241 or email howlinblog@yahoo.com

Thank You!

a ruling on whooping

An interesting article in yesterday's Journal Sentinel pointed out that the death of nearly a tenth of the world's only self-sustaining flock of whooping cranes was preventable.

Ruling on cranes' deaths in Texas has ramifications in Wisconsin

By Lee Bergquist of the Journal Sentinel

March 13, 2013

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In a major victory for cranes and other water users on the Texas Gulf Coast, a federal judged has ruled that the state's environmental agency is responsible for the death of 23 whooping cranes during a drought in 2008 and 2009.
The ruling on Monday is being widely studied in Texas but also has ramifications in Wisconsin.
Baraboo-based International Crane Foundation is a member of the Aransas Project, an alliance of groups that sued the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality over the way it doles out water in south Texas to communities and other users.
Federal Judge Janis Graham Jack agreed with claims by Aransas that the Texas commission failed to manage water use on the Guadalupe River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico and serves as a habitat for endangered whooping cranes.
The 23 cranes represented nearly 10% of the whooping crane population in the western United States.
In addition to its participation in the suit, the Crane Foundation has intensified its outreach efforts in Texas over the past two years because a protracted drought in the region has threatened cranes and their habitat. Whooping cranes, the tallest birds in North America, are a federally endangered species.
The foundation has hired a biologist in Texas and is working with landowners to protect crane habitat, foundation officials say. In addition, George Archibald, co-founder of the foundation, testified during the trial about work by private groups and government dating back to the 1960s to bring cranes back from near extinction.
Texas is the wintering grounds for the only self-sustaining flock of migratory whooping cranes in the world. The official population in the west now stands at 254 and has declined in recent years because of drought in south Texas.
A second flock resides in the eastern United States. Much of the population lives in Wisconsin in the spring and summer, and migrates south in the fall. The eastern flock is not self-sustaining. The eastern population is 111 birds, according to the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership.
In Texas, the judge ruled authorities there must come up with a plan that assures that cranes will have adequate supplies of fresh water.
In its lawsuit, Aransas claimed that the Texas authorities were allocating too much of the water in the river to upstream users. That raised salinity levels and forced cranes to move farther inland to forage for secondary food sources and rely less on blue crabs and wolfberry, a vegetative plant and food source.
"We are very excited about this ruling," said Richard Beilfuss, president and chief executive officer of the Crane Foundation. "People have to think about the basin as a whole."
In a statement, the Texas commission said it disagreed with the decision and will fight the judge's order that prohibits it from approving or granting new water rights permits.

everything but the math

In the interest of providing the most information available for the Waukesha Crane Count I'm copying ICF's crane count page to this blog. It's the perfect resource for identifying cranes, which activities to watch for and the record keeping used in the count. My contact information is available under the county coordinators link - scroll to Waukesha County.
thank you

Counter Information

← Annual Midwest Crane Count Thank you for your interest in the Annual Midwest Crane Count! To participate in Crane Count you first need to contact your County Coordinator to be assigned a site and receive additional instructions. Click here to view the listing of County Coordinators.  See "Counter Resources" below to download your data sheet, instructions for entering your data into eBird, and other useful links. If you have further questions, contact the ICF Crane Count Coordinator. Happy Counting!

How many cranes do you see? See our "Counter Resources" for your Crane Count data sheet and instructions for entering your observations into eBird. Photo by Ted Thousand

Counter Resources The documents below are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Data Sheet Data Entry Instructions: Using eBird Digital Maps: We now have digital maps for each of the counties in Wisconsin. Click here to view and print your county map (8.5 x 11 in). Sandhill Crane Identification and Calls Whooping Crane Identification and Calls Report a Banded Crane

crane dance

Aldo Leopold Day

Stopped by Retzer Nature Center for Aldo Leopold Weekend, the anniversary celebration of Leopold's 3/4/48 writing of the foreword to A Sand County Almanac. I've been thinking more about him since stealing his idea for this blog's title. Bought the book from Retzer's store for a very resonable price. (As a side note, I spent about the same price for McNuggets and fries on the way home. I'm fairly certain I'll get more out of the book... maybe even for a lifetime... than ever I would've got from McD's.)

Larry, the Retzer naturalist, gave me many good suggestions on getting the word out on April's count and even offered to put up a poster in the Nature Center. Making a poster is my next task.

I sent out my first email two days ago to the past counters and have already heard from a few. Now that March, and the beginning of meteorological spring, is here things are moving fast. I'll be composing a flyer to post in nature type stores, contacting schools and scouts and thinking of other ways to get word out.

It's a beautiful sunny Saturday today. Thinking spring.

soaring higher than a

Saw my first crane of the year early this morning . . . from the basket of a hot air balloon!

Benjamin Goss Bird Club

Enjoyed meeting all the Goss Bird Club members last night at Retzer. Appreciate the time they allowed me to talk about the count. Due to computer issues, Eric's Peru trip Power Point got started late, which allowed me plenty of time to talk. Once his presentation began, though, we were enthralled. Eric spent two weeks in Peru on a birdathon and came back loaded with information, photos, maps... everything a birder would want to know. A very well constructed presentation.

There was a fairly good crowd at Retzer for the monthly meeting. I met several current and past crane counters and gathered contact info from several more.

Also yesterday started a facebook page on the count. It can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/WaukeshaCountyCraneCount

Site Map

This map is of all the potential counting sites in Waukesha County.

counting on you counting

I've been a crane counter for about ten years, one of the best things I've done, and now it's my turn to coordinate the Waukesha County, WI, count. We have 50 sites and would love to have counters at most of them. The 2013 count is two months away - Saturday, April 13th. It'll be two of the best hours you'll spend in the outdoors this year!

If you're interested in helping save one of the world's most interesting birds we'd love to hear from you. Please contact the International Crane Foundation at   cranecount@savingcranes.org or myself at howlinblog@yahoo.com

can we count on you?