This was noteworthy in that so many birds left within the same week and about one week ahead of schedule. One chick separated from its parents prior to the migration. All cranes except one that over-summered had departed by April 22. Sadly, one chick has subsequently died. A dozen more whoopers are expected to arrive within the next few weeks.
Blue crabs are in short supply and the cranes are moving extensively looking for food.
May. In addition, seven pairs that had nested in 1999 were present but not nesting in 2000. The nesting area seemed to hold sufficient water, with levels slightly above average. Florida Florida was noticeably dry throughout the spring and summer from a continuing drought now in its third year. This led to hard times for the 78 Florida whooping cranes as marshes shrunk and some dried up completely. This was a significant milestone resulting from the reintroduction in Florida of non-migratory whooping cranes that started in 1993.