By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Every drop helps but even recent rains cannot solve the dry conditions at Cheyenne Bottoms as the fall migration continues. Kansas Wetlands Education Center Director Curtis Wolf said ducks and geese remain numerous at the Bottoms, and many sandhill cranes have been spotted and heard. Several whooping cranes have been spotted recently at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford County.
"If people aren't aware, these are still probably the most endangered bird in North America," Wolf said. "Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira are one of the best places for people from anywhere to be able to see them."
The tallest birds in North America at more than five feet tall, five whooping cranes were spotted at the refuge on Oct. 27-28. A group of 10 was spotted on Halloween morning.
"Typically, there are least some that stop in at both Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira every fall and spring, but the fall tends to be the better time to see them," Wolf said. "They're not in such a hurry to pass through."
Just 15 whooping cranes were believed to be alive in 1941. There are now an estimated 831 whoopers worldwide, including just over 500 in the wild.