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Event Articles
Articles about conservation events that our staff and members have attended representing Duck Junkies.
Sandhill Crane Spring Migration in Indiana.
Greater Sandhill cranes can be seen from late February through late March. Crane numbers peak in mid-February to early March. Magnificent, noisy flocks are usually seen in Indiana during mid morning to mid afternoon flying on their North bound track.
The cranes socialize in the pastures and open fields for awhile after sunrise and just before sunset. The crane dance is a sight to behold and quite possibly one of the funniest things you will ever see. During their migration cranes may seem to be confused or lost when they start flying in a large circular pattern. But in fact they have found a thermal. They will ride thermals to gain altitude to help them along on their journey. Occasionally A flock may have a Whooping or two crane mixed in.
Sandhill Crane Count
So far this spring there has been several thousand cranes using the NIPSCO generating station and roosting in various fields surrounding Jasper-Pulaski fish and wildlife area. The Jasper-Pulaski fish and wildlife area is one of the State best viewing areas for Sandhills.
It is located at. 5822 N. Fish and Wildlife Lane
Medaryville, IN 47957
CT Resident Geese Banding 2010
On July 1st, I had the pleasure of going with the State of Connecticut's Waterfowl Division on a goose banding outing in the Northeast corner of Connecticut. The banding of Resident Canada Geese began in the state in 2002 to study the migration and breeding population of the resident geese.
A little history- A resident Canada Goose is classified as a goose that is hatched or nests below the 48th parallel or in the continental United States and Canada below the 48º line of latitude excluding the province of Newfoundland. A migratory goose in the Atlantic Flyway will nest in Labrador, Newfoundland and Northern Quebec. In essence, a resident goose doesn't "migrate" in the traditional way. As their residential habitats freeze in the winter, they'll move to open water found in rivers, bays and estuaries.
Back in the early 1900's the migratory goose population was on a decline due to over- harvest. In the 1920s a winter feeding program was started in Litchfield, CT for migrant birds. Some of these birds stayed in the state for the breeding season. Market Hunters and sporting clubs would use live birds to attract migrating flocks. Around 1935 the use of live birds to attract migratory geese was banned and hunters and sporting clubs released their "decoys" into the wild. These first "resident" birds established breeding populations and also attracted migrant birds that just decided to stay.