The Return of the Sandhill Crane

Mornin' to everyone tired of politics and just wants... a beer. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here. 

What we're flapping about this week:

• Sandhill Cranes 🐦

• 2024 sticker contest open 🚘

• Ice problems 🧊

The Return of the Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes, "The Ribeye of the Sky" (or so we've been told - there aren't currently any hunting seasons for these beautiful birds in Wisconsin). 

Just like our Oma's and Opa's, the Sandhill Crane is about to end its winter vacay to migrate back to Wisconsin for the summer. Hopefully they bring the warm weather with 'em. 

To better gauge just how many of these feathered friends are flying back to the midwest, a flock of volunteers will take the fields and marshes on April 15th for the annual Midwest Crane count. 

Sandhill Cranes:

• One of two crane species in the US alongside the much rarer Whooping Crane

• 95,000+ Sandhill Cranes pass through Wisconsin every year

• The oldest Sandhill Crane ever found was in 2019 in Wisconsin, at the ripe 'ol age of 37

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a crane!

A mere 50 years ago, it was nearly impossible to hear a Sandhill Crane's call, let alone see one of the beauties strutting in the wild.

Now, thanks to conservation efforts like the Midwest Crane Count (organized by the Baraboo-based International Crane Foundation), these birds flock to Wisconsin in the tens of thousands. 

Sprawling across 7 midwest states, the Midwest Crane Count involves 1,800 volunteers, all helping to survey the population of Sandhill Cranes returning from their winter migration south. 

These 'spotters' will take to the wetlands and other birding locations to listen for Sandhill Cranes (or spot some of their epic dance moves), as well as monitor for the rare Whooping Crane. 

"They're helping us look at the population trends," said Sarah Gavney-Moore, an organizer of the count. 

This invaluable count started back in 1976, when hundreds of spotters could only locate a handful of cranes. 

But thanks to a hunting restriction and wetland conservation, the population of cranes has steadily regained its numbers. 

Crane facts for your cranium

Cranes are classic snowbirds, traveling to the Southern US and beyond to wait out winter (and avoid shovel duty, most likely...)

But come mid-February, they make the long flight back to the north in search of suitable nesting locations. 

They're infamous trumpet-like call is very unique, caused by their long windpipe that creates rich harmonics. The songbird of all songbirds...

Cranes mate for life, which means they'll spend decades with the same partner. 

Gettin' out 'der

Want to get involved? 

Become a spotter for the Midwest Crane Count. You'll be directed to a nearby crane site and given plenty of advice to aid in the conservation of this magnificent creature.  

Now get out 'der!

🖼 WI State Bird: American Robin Artwork! 

When it came to our childhood art projects, mom always said: Keep your day job. 

And criminy was she right. That's why we brought aboard a local 'Scon, Kayley Hackett, to design our latest piece of Wiscampsin merch - the State Bird print!

Picture this hanging above your bed, your tool shelf, your toilet... anywhere really, it's that darn pretty.

For every purchase, 20% will be donated to The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds.

• 3 Options: 5" x 7", 8" x 10", and 11" x 14"

• 100lb. Matte Cardstock

• Ships in a Rigid Envelope

• Made in the USA

• Printed in Janesville, WI

• Artist: Kayley Hackett

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Last week was a tie! 43% of you got it right, Wisconsin ranks 9th on Fishing License sold per capita (check out the list here). 

NEW: Wisconsin Events

Butt glued to the couch? Here are some great Wisconsin events to get you out 'der:

SPRING BIRD HIKE - Come along for a casual, guided hike with the naturalist to look for spring migrants at Devil’s Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI on Saturday, April 8, 2023, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

SETH PETERSON COTTAGE TOURS - Come tour the 1958 Seth Peterson Cottage, Frank Lloyd Wright's last building in Wisconsin at Mirror Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI on Sunday, April 9, 2023, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

SPRING MIGRATION HIKE - Walk through Lakeshore State Park with Master Naturalist Anne Duffy and learn the basics of urban bird watching and watch for the over 70 migratory birds that reside annually, at Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI on Saturday, April 8, 2023, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Know a WI Outdoors-related event happening? Reply to this email with the details and we will share the week before the event!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🖼 Sticker contest open!: The DNR is back at it again, sourcing the design for the 2024 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission stickers from high school students across the state. If that's you, apply here before April 30th! Let me grab my crayons...

🧊 Running low on ice: The worst thing to hear at the tailgate, as well as at the Great Lakes. Data from NOAA shows that we tied the third-worst year for ice coverage on the Great Lakes, which could affect water quality and the food web. More ice for the lakes (and the party)!

🙌 State Trail Passes on sale: Don't count on it, but we think it's safe to put away the snow blower and get out the bicycle. State trail passes are now on sale! We'll see ya out 'der. 

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Well shucks grab some crawlers and we'll show ya the hot spot!