Austwell, Texas: The near-by Aransas National Refuge, the winter home of the endangered Whooping Crane, at least 237 of the cranes have arrived in Texas from their breeding grounds in the Buffalo National Park in
Canada last week. The Corpus Christi Caller Times reported in its Monday edition that biologists last week counted 199 adult and 38 juvenile whooping cranes The specialists say that food for the cranes is plentiful, with crabs and wolf berries which is their choice of food. In addition there is a plentiful supply of fresh water. The migration which began in October is near completion. Experts say that 263 birds in the flock migrated north last spring and expect 285 to finally reach Texas this season. This is good news for the endangered species because several years ago following a severe drought along the Gulf of Mexico, they had a poor winter season because of the lack of fresh water, which diminished the number of blue crabs and wolf berries. This in turn made them weaker for their annual flight to Canada for the breeding season. All seems well for now and hope for a successful winter stay will mean a good breeding season when they return to Canada. Written by Jack Kidd.

The historical drought that has gripped Texas, especially the central area and the Texas
gulf of Mexico coast, has finally been relieved. In November 2009, Port Aransas, Texas, received over 7.8 inches of rain in 26 hours with surrounding areas getting higher totals. The rain was wide spread enough to benefit the entire the entire coastal bend. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge had significant rain and most of the streams and rivers that feed the surrounding bays and estuaries are flowing with fresh water. This should help the Whooping Crane who winter there and were devastated last year because of the harsh conditions brought on by the drought. The lack of fresh water, resulted in less food , especially blue crabs.
After the Spring of 2008 the drought that had a strangle hold on most of the state of Texas, ultimately caused last years unusually high mortality rate of our endangered Whooping Cranes. Very high salinity levels and very poor conditions through out their wintering area was caused by lack of fresh water flowing into the bays and estuaries. Wolfberries, a favorite food, was non-existent and the developmental of the blue crabs was severely limited. Blue crabs are the major high quality food source in the Winter. In wet years blue crabs are plentiful for food and the Whooping Cranes are able to find plenty to eat in the bays and estuaries.
The Whooping Crane population which hit an all time record of 270 when they arrived in the Fall of 2008, however they lost 8.5% of the population over the winter – a total of 23 died.
Most died from malnutrition and those that made their return to Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada arrived in such poor condition and had very little breeding success. Out of 63 nests only 22 chicks fledged. Hopefully the recent rains will improve their habitat at the Aransas Reserve along the Texas gulf of Mexico and the ones that return to Canada nest Spring will be in good shape for a better breeding season.
(Note:) The definition of an estuary is where salty sea water meets the land and mixes with the fresh water from creeks and rivers. They are the nursery grounds for our marine organisms
such as fish, shrimp, crabs, mussels, clams and such. They are not only important to our wildlife but ultimately to our own existence.
by Jack Kidd