Whooping Cranes Arrive in South Carolina After a 150-Year Absence


Whooping Cranes Arrive in South Carolina After a 150-Year Absence


Three years after proposing to reintroduce whooping cranes (Grus americana) into historic habitat and establish a migratory flock of birds in eastern North America, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service confirms the arrival of 5 whooping cranes in South Carolina.


There are now 35 migratory whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America, thanks to the efforts of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and private groups organizing the effort to reintroduce this highly imperiled species in eastern North America, part of the bird’s historic range. Of those 35 birds, 5 birds from the Class of 2003 arrived in South Carolina last week, marking the end of a 150-year long absence from the state.


A lone bird was reported in McCormick County, South Carolina on November 9, 2004. Over the next couple of days, 4 additional Class of 2003 birds appeared near Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge north of Charleston, South Carolina. Three of the four birds that arrived at Cape Romain have gradually made their way up the South Carolina coast and into coastal North Carolina.


The remains of one of the birds, #5-03, were discovered on November 16 near the refuge. An investigation into the death of #5-03 is being conducted and evidence at this point suggests mortality was the result of natural causes. The lone bird that first appeared in McCormick County has made its way into the marshes of Colleton County, South Carolina where it has remained.


WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please give them the respect and distance they need. Do not approach the birds on foot within 600 feet; try to remain in your vehicle; do not approach in vehicle within 600 feet or, if on a public road, within 300 feet. Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. Finally, do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view whooping cranes.

Listed as an endangered species in 1967, the whooping crane was last documented in South Carolina in 1850. A species brought to the edge of extinction by hunting and specimen collection, human disturbance, and loss of primary nesting habitat, whooping crane numbersdipped to an all time low of 16 individuals in 1941.


Whooping cranes once occurred from the Arctic Sea to the high plateau of central Mexico, and from Utah east to New Jersey, South Carolina, and Florida. Standing almost 5 feet tall, the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America. Adult birds are characterized by snowy white plumage, a crimson crown, long thin black legs, and white wings tipped with black that measure almost 6 feet in length. The plumage of juvenile birds is a mixture of cinnamon and white. Deriving their name from the distinctive whooping call, the call of the whooping crane can carry for miles.


A wild flock of whooping cranes migrates between nesting territories in Canada and wintering grounds in Texas and is the only naturally occurring wild population in the world. To date, there are 452 whooping cranes left; 318 in wild flocks and 134 in captivity. Recognizing the fact that this last remaining wild population has become concentrated to such small areas, scientists became concerned that a single catastrophic event on either the wintering or nesting grounds could wipe out the population. This concern led to the efforts to establish additional, separated populations.


The Whooping Crane Recovery Team, a team of biologists that provide policy and recommendations for the species,searched for possible locations to establish a second migratory flock. In 1999, the team recommended that a flock of whooping cranes hatched in captivity be taught a migration route between central Wisconsin and the west coast of Florida. The recovery team then sanctioned the ultralight-led migration techniques of Operation Migration, Inc. as the main reintroduction method.


In 2001, Operation Migration’s pilots led the first whooping crane chicks south from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin to Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The chicks that take part in the reintroduction project are hatched at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland. There, the young cranes are introduced to ultralight aircraft and raised in isolation from humans. To ensure impressionable cranes remain wild, project biologists and pilots adhere to a strict no-talking rule, broadcast recorded crane calls, and wear costumes designed to mask the human form whenever they are around the cranes. In 2002 and 2003, WCEPbiologists and pilots conditioned additional groups of juvenile cranesand guided them along in migration.


Founding members of WCEPinclude the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration, Inc., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and National Wildlife Health Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team. Many other flyway states, provinces, private individuals and conservation groups have joined forces with and support WCEP by donating resources, funding, and personnel. More than 60 percent of the project’s estimated $1.8 million budget comes from private sources in the form of grants, public donations and corporate sponsors. For more information on the project and its partners, visit the WCEP website at http://www.bringbackthecranes.org.


The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

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Introducing the New NAVCEN Maritime Safety Information Application!

Dear Users of the Marine Transportation System,

We’re excited to announce the launch of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center’s new Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Application! This enhanced platform is designed to improve your access to critical navigation safety information, including Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists.

Key Features of the New MSI Application:
• Near-Real-Time Updates: Stay informed with the latest changes and updates.
• GIS Display: Visualize navigation information directly on an interactive map.
• Customizable Searches: Narrow your searches to focus on specific waterways or regions of interest.

The application is available now and ready to support safer, more efficient maritime operations.

Access the New MSI Application:
Click HERE to explore the platform and take advantage of its features.

We’re committed to ensuring mariners have the tools and information they need to navigate safely and effectively. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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NAVCEN’s Upgraded LNM & Light List Application Launching the Week of December 2nd

During the week of December 2nd, the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) will launch its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application.  The application will feature GIS-based tools, customizable downloads, and GeoJSON integration for enhanced maritime safety information. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) is excited to announce the launch of its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application during the week of December 2nd, reaffirming our commitment to enhancing access to critical maritime safety information.

This upgraded application allows users to download and print LNMs for entire Coast Guard Districts or define their own area of interest using the GIS tools to zoom in and access localized data.  The form section enables users to organize and sort LNMs by waterway or category. For programmatic integration, GeoJSON files will be available to download for data ingestion into other applications.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and are confident this enhanced version will better serve the diverse needs of the maritime community.

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Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice
to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the
accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.

What Is Changing?

1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production
of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from
using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety
Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.

2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be
available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively
on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion
of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once
the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area,
which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our
website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light
List.

3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen
minutes. Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours. This will give you a much more up-to-
date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your
area of transit or planned routes.

4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily
Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to
focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will
also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the
data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?
The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation
data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent
updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:
Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information,
mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring
safer navigation.
Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users,
from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format
to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center
website) will be completed by Monday, October 21st.
How to Access the New Features?
Starting October 21st, 2024, you will be able to access the updated Local Notice to
Mariners (LNM) and Light List through the NAVCEN website, with a User Guide available to
assist you. While legacy versions of these products will no longer be produced or posted
after October 31st, previously available versions will remain accessible for download
indefinitely. Additionally, users can now generate updated LNMs in real time, with data
refreshed every 15 minutes.

For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us page, select ‘LNMs or Light
Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance the safety and efficiency of
maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

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LNM/Light List Application Delay

Good Day,

Availability of the modernized Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs) and Light List (LL) application will be delayed beyond the scheduled 30 September 2024 launch date as a result of Hurricane Helene.

The following legacy products will remain available on the NAVCEN website until 31 October to ensure customers maintain uninterrupted access to MSI products during the transition:

  • Weekly Local Notices to Mariners (pdf)
  • Light Lists (pdf)
  • Daily LNM Discrepancies and Temporary Changes (XML)
  • Weekly Light List files (PDF, XML)

We are working diligently to reschedule the application’s launch and will provide an update with the new release date as soon as it becomes available. 

For questions or comments, you may contact us via our contact us page (please select “LNMs or Light Lists” from the Subject pull-down menu).

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. 

Sincerely,
Navigation Center
U.S. Coast Guard
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov

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Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.

What Is Changing?

  1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.
  2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area, which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light List.
  3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen minutes.  Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours.  This will give you a much more up-to-date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your area of transit or planned routes.
  4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?

The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:

  • Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information, mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation.
  • Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users, from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
  • Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.

 

 

When Will These Changes Take Effect?

The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center website) will be completed by Monday, September 30th.

How to Access the New Features?

Starting on September 30th, 2024, you will be able to access the updated LNM and Light List through the NAVCEN website. A User Guide will be available on the NAVCEN website. Customers will still have the ability to download legacy versions of these products until October 21st.

For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us Page, select ‘LNMs or Light Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the safety and efficiency of maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

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Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More
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