----- Original Message -----
From: "
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 4:08
PM
Subject: Cranes IDNR
register
I sent all the
forms, maps, pictures required to register the two Cranes at the small wetland
where the main arena is scheduled. Without a nest, chances are 50/50 it
will be accepted. The mowing of the buffer did not help. See
attached.
Roy Davis
ATTACHMENT
On
April 14th At
Two pairs of Sandhill Cranes were observed and registered in the International Crane
Count. Both
pairs were seen in the large wetland called
pair has been registered with the IDNR since 2003.
Later one pair started to hang around a small wetland to the northeast. See picture #1.
On May 4 we got video of them doing the mating dance at this wetland, which was really exciting to see. See picture #2.
Everyday they were either in the wetland or foraging in
the nearby cornfield. We went to
the site three days in a row at 4:30 a.m. to see if they were flying in or
staying in the marsh. At around
6:00 they would just show up from the wetland. On May 23 a Tribune reporter and
photographer came to
Front page of the Tribune. (See picture #3 and #4.).
On May 26 a member of the International Crane foundation came to see the Cranes in the small wetland. They were always in the wetland or foraging for food nearby. Had a lot of media coverage on these two Cranes since this wetland is where they want to put the 2016 Olympics.
On June 20th after coming home from 1 ½ week vacation, I expected to video the adults with two young colts. However, for whatever reason the LCFP called the farmer who leases the fields and asked him to mow the buffer around the wetland. This noisy tractor mower flushed them out for good and it will be hard to see them again in the tall corn. A pair with two colts have been seen in the large marsh but no way to tell where they nested.
Have lots of videos and many observers have observed the Cranes in this Wetland.
Still hope to find the nest or see the small Cranes back in this area. I hope this area will
Be registered with the IDNR as a nesting site for the Sandhill Cranes.
Tribune Reporter: Kathy Bergen and photographer David Trotman-Wilkens
312 222 4207
International Crane Member: Sandi Whitmore and Husband Dave
847 680 5896
I can provide more names and videos on request.
Roy Davis
847 949 5250