The Woodward News

Local News

November 20, 2009

Keeping an eye out for Whooping Cranes

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is asking the community to report any Whooping Crane sightings as part of a collaborative effort to monitor their migration.

“The Whooping Crane is an endangered species. Today there are only 247 in the entire world, and at one time their numbers were as far down at 16,” said Refuge Manager Greg Birkenfeld. “Through a recovery plan, that includes a monitoring and tracking them, their numbers have increased but it’s far from being taken off the endangered list.”

Whooping Cranes have begun their 2009 fall migration with many migrating through Oklahoma. Becky Wolff, who is the outdoor recreation planner at Salt Plains NWR, said they would like people to keep on the lookout for their arrival around Alfalfa County and at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.

This is already a record year for Salt Plains NWR, said Wolff. Over 44 Whooping Cranes have been spotted on or around Salt Plains NWR within the last week, with one group numbering 36 Whooping Cranes. Many Whooping Cranes will make the fall migration alongside thousands of Sandhill Cranes.

Reports from the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge state that refuge biologists spotted over 50 Whooping Cranes in one group. Wolff said she hopes those cranes will be arriving on Salt Plains in the upcoming weeks and she urges people to be on the lookout for these magnificent birds.

Adult Whooping Cranes are white all over, with a red crown and facial skin. They have black wing tips that are shown in flight. Immature cranes are whitish, with a pale reddish-brown head and neck. Immature cranes will also have a scattered reddish-brown speckling of feathers over the rest of its body.

The 2009 fall flight will mark the 68th monitored Whoping Crane migration through the cooperative efforts of many people from central Canada and the United States. Wolff said it would be greatly appreciated that any Whooping Crane sightings be reported to Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge Biologist Ron Sheppard at (580) 626-4794.

In other happenings at Salt Plains NWR, the Refuge Manager said the public hunting area will be closed for the next three weekends to accommodate controlled deer hunts. Deer hunting on the refuge and in the public hunting area is by permit only.

As the deer population continues to be at high levels, the controlled hunts are necessary to manage the deer population. Managing the deer helps to prevent habitat destruction and to maintain the health of the wildlife and of the habitat.

The public hunting area will be closed at noon Saturday until 2 p.m. Monday. The public hunting area will also be closed the weekends of Nov. 28 through Nov. 30 and Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 for the same times as listed above.

Local News
  • flex web.jpg Flex program extended due to initial success

    WHS teachers and administrators are “pleasantly surprised” with how well the flex days are going, according to Assistant Principal Kyle Reynolds.

    March 10, 2010 1 Photo

  • School board upholds parent’s suspension

    Cedar Heights parent not allowed on any school property for next six months after getting into scuffle with school principal.

    March 10, 2010

  • Murphy to host town hall meeting on horizontal drilling

    Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy hopes to get feedback and educate people who may be affected by horizontal drilling.

    March 10, 2010

  • TSA students preparing for state contest

    Fourteen middle school students and six high school students will compete at the TSA state competition March 29 through March 31 in Oklahoma City

    March 10, 2010

  • Originality key for art judge

    It’s hard work, picking art for a juried show- and Bob Palmer takes it very seriously.

    March 10, 2010

  • Parks board hears updates

    March 10, 2010

  • Boy's mother satisfied with school's efforts

    “I’m on Mrs. Yeager’s side.”
    Kristina Boyce, the ex-wife of a man who got into a scuffle with Cedar Heights Principal Sharon Yeager on Feb. 25, said she is “sick of the drama they are creating over this.”  Boyce was speaking in reference to how her ex-husband and his current wife have handled the fallout from the scuffle which occurred during a meeting with Yeager to discuss an incident where her third-grade son walked home without permission on Feb. 22.

    March 10, 2010

  • Board heards views on principal

    The public forum at Monday night’s Woodward Board of Education meeting was almost all about Cedar Heights Elementary principal Sharon Yeager.

    March 10, 2010

  • barnettweb.jpg State main street director discusses leadership

    Linda Barnett, Oklahoma's main street director, was in Woodward on Monday to speak at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

    March 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • hasenbeckweb.jpg Committee approves floor plan

    After approving a new building design during their last meeting, members of the Woodward Conference Center Building Committee approved a revised floor plan Monday to reflect the new building design.

    March 9, 2010 1 Photo

AP Video

Featured Ads

Hyperlocal Search

Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide