The salt marshes that serve as wintering territories for whooping cranes are also winter quarters for a diversity of other migrating birds—marsh birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, white pelicans, and more—most of which nest in the prairies of the Great Plains and Central Flyway.

Power lines are likely the number one killer of whooping cranes. They are an increasing threat in the rapidly developing Lamar Peninsula, adjacent to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Whoopers spend time at deer feeders that spit out corn daily. Some make it a routine stop, and some mated pairs claim the feeders as part of their winter territory. This year, food was harder to find. Drought reduced blue crab production, and an early December freeze killed the blooms of a native shrub, wolfberry. Crabs and wolfberries are staples of the whooper diet. As a result, whoopers came to the feeders more often.

One large whooper male, along with his mate and chick, lorded over several feeders, repeatedly chasing away other whoopers, sandhills—even deer. Many birds narrowly missed nearby power lines during these aggressive chases. Eventually, one did not. They hit a line and was instantly killed.

Their death prompted a community discussion about marking more power lines with bird diverters—and the complications of doing so.