Volume 17, Number 42 Thursday, October 25, 2001 Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area… Woodstock, Revisited, Starring the Sandhill Cranes by Paula McHugh Most of the year, Jasper-Pulaski State Fish and Wildlife Area near Medaryville is quiet. Not in autumn, however. Hundreds of birders and other hundreds of the curious flock here between mid- October and December to watch the spectacle of the sandhill cranes. Autumn once again extends an invitation to their dance. The elevated viewing area overlooking the 300-acre Goose Pasture has been extended over the past few years, and the tall plat- form has a ramp that allows accessibility for wheelchairs. Two free viewing scopes have been installed for those who did not bring binoculars. They are needed to get a closer look at the red crown of this mousy gray col- ored bird, but they are not needed to witness the dancing. Arriving at sunrise and an hour before sunset are the best times to The observation tower and deck that overlooks the cranes’ staging area has been ogle at the cranes’ dance of life and joy. expanded. At 11:00 a.m., when this photo was taken, most of the birds have flown off to The ride south on Indiana 421 ribbons forage in farmers’ fields and surrounding wetlands. They will be back in droves (meaning through khaki pastureland. Past San Pierre, by the thousands) before sunset, when they dance and jump for joy, or for a mate. what appears as a sprinkling of black pepper dispersed dance, and swoop into the sky quickly if a human by the wind in the sky is the only sign of the birds’ attempts to approach too closely. The Key-lime green arrival near their staging area. The sun has returned beyond the highway’s shoulder fades to beige in the after two deluging days of rain, and farmers behind soggy fields, where the cranes in the distance look like the wheels of their shocking red harvesters slice dust bunnies caught in a herringbone quilt. The through dried cornstalk. The cranes will feed on the sandhills in midmorning are brunching in groups waste grain, will stop eating to perform their corny on farmland surrounding the Fish and Wildlife area. Jasper-Pulaski Continued on Page 2 A few dozen gray cranes look like dust bunnies clinging to a khaki tweed comforter. These birds were spotted on State Road 10 between Route 421 and Indiana 49. Page 2 October 25, 2001 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] email: Classifieds - [email protected] It’s Time http://www.bbpnet.com/ Published and Printed by To Fall THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Back Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also Sunday, October 28 delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. Two Fort Wayne residents, former science teachers, Calvin Lee and Norm Reilly, were hoping to see more birds during their visit. “Last year, there were a lot more cranes lingering around at this time of the morning,” Cal said. Jasper-Pulaski Continued from Page 1 It is mid-morning in mid-October and both the view- ing tower and pasture at Jasper-Pulaski are empty. Or almost empty. Crow caws crack the silence of the open field pockmarked with mirror-blue puddles won’t allow others to trespass on their patch of ter- which, from the tower, makes the muddy black earth ritory, however. below resemble a giant map of the world. The black Last year, the migratory crowd jammed into the birds are jitterbugging to their own tune amid corn- pasture peaked at 16,000 on November 30. The DNR stalks in the distance. keeps a count of such things. Even then, it’s a small A staccato of guttural, phlegmatic gurgles betray number compared to the lollapalooza gathering along the presence of a group of sandhills in the far, far dis- the North Platte River in Nebraska. That spot ranks tance, too far to see with a human eye. Far from largest in the world. But for Indiana, Jasper-Pulaski harm’s way, it appears. Their sociable gurgling- is quite a show. quacking-trumpeting lets an observer know that a few When the birds take wing, they can fly between 45- dozen stragglers have not flown off for lunch in other 55 miles per hour, following a leader in a V-formation. fields. Human gawkers are not a problem at this When soaring on warm air currents, their normal alti- hour; crowds will be arriving much later in the day. tude is between 3,000 and 5,000 feet. The migrants That is when the really big crane dance begins. from Asia and Europe, however, need to climb upwards By dusk, the 300 acres of Goose Pasture will resem- of 20,000 feet in mountain passes. When the birds land, ble the sandhill crane version of the original Woodstock they like to forage in shallow marshes, and they Music Festival, minus Janis Joplin and the smoke from depend on wetlands for the continuation of life. funny cigarettes. The sandhill cranes make their Cranes have a lifespan of 25-30 years, and reports of own music. Ear splitting. Woofers, tweeters, ampli- 40-60 year lifespans have been reported for cranes in fiers unnecessary. And this staging area display of feath- captivity. The latter are fed nutritional pellets and would ery antics will continue each day for weeks. Do feath- probably be considered spoiled by their wilder coun- ers fly? Oh, yes—upon the wings of love— flapping, terparts. Unlike their cousins, the much rarer white- hopping, jumping, and throwing bits of dirt and twigs feathered whooping cranes, sandhill populations into the air with their sharp bills. It’s mating time for have continued to thrive despite the fact that the female the unattached birds, and socializing time for the mated. lays just two eggs and can count on only one chick sur- Cranes mate for life. Families with young chicks viving. October 25, 2001 Page 3 The whooping cranes are now being led by ultra- lights to follow migratory paths, just as the sandhills Open ‘til 7 p.m. have followed in previous years, successfully. It was, Evenings by the way, the concern over the potential demise of the whooping crane that the Endangered Species Act came into being in the 1970’s. In the 1930’s, there were less than 25 breeding pairs of sandhill cranes, so the outlook for their white-feathered cousins looks www.littlehousefashions.comElegant Apparel for the hopeful. [email protected] Conscious Woman Women’s Apparel A Complete Collection We Have Every Piece in Every Print Offered Photo by Cliff Niewuenhuis A small flock of endangered whooping cranes is due to fly into Indiana as part of an experimental migration program to reestablish the birds in the Eastern United States.. Great Gift Ideas Photo by Joseph Duff. The whopping cranes were taught to follow ultralight aircraft, which will lead them from Wisconsin along a natural migration route to the Summer Clearance Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Up to 90% off The sandhill crane, or Grus canadensis, is a bird that dates back over 6 million years, making it the oldest of the crane species. As a group, cranes of all Meet Us For Lunch And A Style Show varieties have been venerated by different cultures THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 - ROSKOE’S, LA PORTE throughout history. In Japan, the crane is known as THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 - TIPPECANOE PLACE, SOUTH BEND the bird of happiness, fidelity, longevity, good for- 409 Alexander Street LaPorte, IN 326-8602 tune and prosperity. It’s no surprise, then, that the 409On Alexander Hwy 35 - 5 Street Blocks LaPorte,South of LincolnwayIN 326-8602 On Hwy 35Turn - 5 Right Blocks on SouthAlexander of Lincolnway crane motif is a common symbol of marriage in that Monday - FridayTurn Right 9:30 toon 7 Alexander Saturday 9:30 to 5 Jasper-Pulaski Continued on Page 4 Monday-Friday 10 to 6 Saturday 9:30 to 5 Page 4 October 25, 2001 Pulaski. The migratory event is nature’s gift to us who live so near, and once witnessed, it’s a phenomenon that many return to see each year. Jasper-Pulaski offers free campsites on a first-come, first-served basis for those who want to witness the sunrise “serenade.” And there are other points within the 8,002-acre park to explore, but be sure to check in at the ranger station before taking off by foot. This is place with many areas set aside for hunting, and the shotgun blasts that cut through the crisp air will likely remind you of that fact. Photo by Dr. George Archibald. Sandhill cranes are identified by the striking red crown on these mousy-gray colored birds. Jasper-Pulaski Continued from Page 3 country. The red of a bride’s kimono is derived from the symbolism of the crane’s red crown. The word for crane in Japanese is “tancho,” meaning red crown. And a custom that continues is that of the engaged cou- Visitors to Jasper-Pulaski are required to sign in before wandering off on ple exchanging decorations in the shape of the large trails. With crackles of hunters’ rifles filling the woods nearby, it’s winged bird. mandatory to follow the trail rules and hours. The Chinese also honor the (whooping) crane, naming it the “Patriarch of the feathered tribe,” and seeing it as a symbol for purity and vitality.