This page summarizes the latest sightings of Whooping Cranes at or near Quivira.
Fall-Winter, 2019-20: The first sighting of the fall was a single adult in Little Salt Marsh, 11 October, 8:32 am. All but eight of the 138 total for the season (the second highest total ever) came through during the period October 28 through November 2 (130). A juvenile bird, was observed in January 2020 in the Big Salt Marsh area - the first ever sighting of the species on the Refuge during that month.
Spring, 2019: The first sightings of the spring was a group of 4 adults on March 23, and another 12 adults on the flats north of NE 170th on Sunday, March 24. The last reported was a flock of 14 adults north of NE 170th on April 17th (later than usual). The eventual season total, 89, is the highest ever spring total to date.
Fall, 2018: A single adult Whooping Crane was observed and photographed in Big Salt Marsh on October 5, 2018, representing the earliest fall migration on record (the previous early date was October 6). A much larger than usual early movement of the birds through Quivira, with 47 recorded during October. By November 9, 104 were recorded.
Spring, 2018: Spring migration at Quivira began with 11 adults seen on the west side of the Wildlife Drive on the morning of March 23.
Fall, 2017: Reports of a single Whooping Crane occurred as early as late September in North Dakota. A pair of adults was observed along the Wildlife Drive on October 19. A very large push of migrants occurred during the October 31-November 2 period, with over 50 reported during the period. As of November 28, the fall total for 2017 added up to 167, an even higher record than 2016's record occurrence!
Spring, 2017: The first sighting was a group of 14 (12 adults, 2 juveniles) that was present on March 25-26. The last were observed on April 11. A total of 29 were observed during the season.
Fall, 2016: The first sightings were of 2 adults in Big Salt Marsh on October 24. The second largest single-day occurrence of Whooping Cranes happened at Quivira this fall on the morning of November 12, with 40 of them in the Big Salt Marsh area! As of November 28, the season count was 110 (94 adults, 16 juveniles). This is a record high for any season.
Spring, 2016: The first sightings were of 4 adults the evening of 22 March (and an unconfirmed report of 29 birds in flight). A total of 19 were observed during the spring season, a rather low number.
Fall, 2015: Fall migration began very early - in fact one of the earliest ever: 2 adult birds were found on October 10. Only two other sightings in Quivira's history have been earlier: the earliest ever of October 6, 2000, and October 9, 2004, respectively. In mid-to-late October, one pair of adults stayed around for about 10 days. A steady string of sightings occurred from November 9-18. The last seen were on November 18. A total of 61 birds were documented during the season.
Spring, 2015: Spring migration northward from Texas began in mid-March, 2015, with the first sightings at Quivira late in the day on March 26 (any sightings in the Quivira area will be listed in the table below). Average first arrival date in spring (during the last ten years) at Quivira is around March 19. Peak occurrence dates are usually around the first week of April. The last spring sighting was of 2 adults on April 12.
Fall, 2014: Fall migration began this year with an appearance of 5 Whoopers (4 adults and 1 juvenile) in Big Salt Marsh on the morning October 29. The last sighting was on November 12. Over all, however, the fall migration was quick and uneventful, with only a total of 33 Whoopers sighted over the entire period. This is the lowest fall number of observations in many years. Reasons for these low numbers are not completely understood, but may have been caused by a very early cold spell (about a week straight of sub-freezing temperatures) during the first half of November.
Spring, 2014: Spring migration began with a sighting of a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 juvenile) that stopped briefly in the Little Salt Marsh area on March 22. The last birds were seen on April 4 (although a group of 3 birds were observed at Cheyenne Bottoms State Wildlife Area in early May). A total of 30 were observed in the Quivira area during the spring migration, the lowest number in several years.
Fall, 2013: A total of 65 Whooping Cranes were observed in fall migration 2013, with the first sighting on October 24 (one adult in the southwest corner of Big Salt Marsh, with a flock of Sandhill Cranes). The last sighting was on November 23.
Spring, 2013: Spring migration began earlier than usual in 2013, with a probable sighting of six birds on February 8, and six confirmed birds at Quivira on March 6. Migration continued through March and most of April, with the last confirmed sighting of 3 (2A, 1 banded/radioed J) on the later-than-average date of April 22. Most significantly, 2013 spring produced the second highest all-time number of confirmed sightings, with 75.
Fall, 2012: Fall migration ended through the Great Plains by the end of November, with some birds having reached Texas by the last week of October. The first whooping crane sighting at Quivira was a family group (2 adults, 1 juvenile) north of Big Salt Marsh on November 1. One sighting of 3 birds was reported from Cheyenne Bottoms on or near October 23. A fairly significant movement of Whooping Cranes occurred in the Quivira area during the period November 4-10, with several dozen being observed during the period. As of November 28, a total of 73 Whooping Cranes had been reported in the Quivira area this fall: 63 adults and 10 juveniles. This is one of the highest quantities ever recorded at Quivira during a season. None were seen in the area after late November.
Spring, 2012: The first spring sightings in 2012 occurred on Friday, 16 March, with 3 adults observed on the west side of the Wildlife Drive at 9:15 am. The date is right at the average first arrival date for spring whoopers. One highlight of the spring was the occurrence of a total of 19 whoopers on the morning of 29 March. The last sighting was a pair of adults north of Big Salt Marsh on Sunday, April 8, but then a single adult was observed leaving Big Salt Marsh on the very late date of May 9! A total of 47 whoopers were observed during the spring at Quivira.
There were unprecedented late December and January occurrences of Whooping Cranes in Kansas and Nebraska during the 2011-2012 winter season. As many as 11 birds were seen in south-central Kansas, including a family of 2 adults and 1 juvenile. All sightings were sporadic of somewhat "nomadic" birds, occurring on both public and private land. The same family group (or another - it is difficult to determine which) was observed in southern Nebraska in late January (also unprecedented). Reasons for these occurrences are difficult to prove, but are possibly due to a combination of the ongoing drought in the southern Great Plains (making food more scarce) and the relatively mild winter. The table below reflects only Quivira or near-Quivira observations.
Whooping Cranes occur regularly each fall at Quivira, from late October through the month of November. Each fall season varies in terms of the total number of cranes reported, but the average through the season is 30-40 birds. Although sightings of 10-12 birds in one flock occur occasionally each year, most group sizes average 2-5 birds. Most occur overnight and are gone from the area by mid-morning. A few groups, or individuals, may stay a week or more before moving on. Also, during some years a Whooping Crane may linger into December or into the new year.
Spring migration is typically not as dynamic, with the birds passing through the Quivira area quickly. Sightings in spring are fewer, and of much shorter duration, than in the fall. Nevertheless, the season is not without its history of surprises: in spring 2010 a total of 76 Whooping Cranes were reported on the Refuge - on April 1 (no fooling)!
The following table summarizes the most recent sightings. These sightings are also reported on Kansas Listserv and on our Facebook site.
