It’s shaping up to be the cutest spring ever! So far this year, nine whooping crane chicks have been confirmed hatched … and there’s still plenty of time left in the nesting season for more chicks to hatch.

Jefferson Davis Parish kicked things off the week of Mar. 18 with the first hatch of the year! An experienced pair, who have successfully raised a chick each of the past three years, are off to another strong start.

The week of Mar. 23 brought more good news:

Another experienced pair welcomed two new chicks, continuing their streak after fledging a chick each of the last two years. Fingers crossed for a three-peat!

A helpful landowner in Avoyelles Parish reported another hatch from an experienced pair.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get better …

Three additional chicks were visually confirmed: two at White Lake WCA and one on private property in Vermilion Parish and then two chicks confirmed in Cameron Parish!

There’s also a bit of mystery in the marsh. Egg membranes found at an additional nest indicate both eggs hatched, though the family wasn’t located in the area. With recent dry conditions affecting parts of the marsh, we’re hopeful those parents successfully moved their chicks to safer ground.

Every chick is a big win for this endangered species, and these early-season successes have us feeling hopeful for the months ahead. Stay tuned … more tiny, long-legged miracles may be on the way.