Tracking cranes: Classroom migration activity
This activity is based on a two crane migration studies developed by the International Crane Foundation and colleagues in Asia. For this study, Siberian Cranes have been captured and banded with satellite transmitters (PTTs) on their summering grounds in northeastern Russia and wintering grounds in northern Iran. Location data is collected from the banded cranes, allowing researchers to map the cranes' migration routes and identify important stopover locations along their flyways. Using the location data from the studies you and your students will map the annual migrations of these banded Siberian Cranes.
Objectives
Students will follow the Siberian Crane migration along the east Asia and west Asia flyways and recognize that cranes and other migratory bird species rely on widespread resources that link people from different regions and countries.
Materials
We've designed this activity so that you can map the migration two different ways.
First, you can view an online map of the migration (below). This interactive map allows you to choose which bird you would like to track and provides options for viewing the coordinate (latitude and longitude) and date for each position. Click here to view the online map.
Second, you can use a standard political map of Asia and plot the coordinates. If you do not have a classroom map of Asia, you may purchase one at a local map store or online through the National Geographic website.
We've also developed a smaller classroom map of East Asia that you can use as a student worksheet to map the migration with your students. We've developed two versions of the map - one with the major countries, rivers and nature reserves labeled, along with a blank version that students can label themselves. Click on the following links to download these handouts and the location coordinates to plot on your classroom maps.:
East Asia classroom map 272 KB PDF
East Asia classroom map (no labels) 243 KB PDF
Location coordinates of the banded Siberian Cranes (fall 2008 migration) 20 KB Microsoft Excel
Procedure
- Part I: Background Information and Introduction
- Introduce students to Siberian Cranes and their conservation history using the online Siberian Crane Fact Sheet and conservation history summary. Introduce the East Asia flyway map to illustrate the Siberian Crane’s range and general migration route. Discuss how researchers study bird migration and band cranes to learn more about their annual movements (click here for background information on studying bird migration). Point out that although researchers have learned many things about Siberian Crane migration, we still have many questions. Introduce the satellite tracking study and discuss that you will track the banded cranes from this study.
- Part II: Mapping
- If you are using a classroom map, ask students to plot the weekly data points on the map, using a different color or symbol for each banded crane. Note that in the data spreadsheet, each bird is identified by a unique PTT ID. Discuss the schedule for receiving the location data and that as a group you will map the birds’ progress each week. As you receive location updates, introduce this new information to the students and ask them to map the new locations. Note that sometimes the birds will stay in the same location for several days as they rest and feed before they continue their migration.
Extension Activities
In the United States, researchers are also studying Whooping Crane migration using similar methods as the Siberian Crane migration study. Each fall, a group of young Whooping Cranes are led by ultralight aircraft from Wisconsin to their wintering area in northwestern Florida. In the spring, the young birds retrace their migration route and return to Wisconsin on their own. Each bird is banded (all birds are banded with a radio transmitter and plastic bands, while a few birds have satellite transmitters), which allow researchers to track the birds during migration and learn more about their wintering and summering areas.
Click here to learn more about Whooping Cranes and the project to return this endangered species to the eastern US, and visit the Journey North website to follow the banded Whooping Cranes as they migrate between Wisconsin and Florida each fall and spring.