Fall 2012 Ultralight-led Migration

 
Led by ultralight airplanes, six young Whooping cranes of the new Eastern Flock migrate from Wisconsin to Florida.
 
Migration News

Weekly updates will be posted here on Mondays:

  • September 17: Countdown to Migration
    Target date for departure is September 25, 2012!
  • September 24: Countdown to Migration
    Slight delay: Watch for departure news flash later this week!
  • September 28: Migration Begins!
    Six young Whooping Cranes made it to Stopover #2!
  • October 1: Off to a Great Start
    Starting the week at Stopover #3—two stops from Illinois!
  • October 8: Whooping Cranes in Illinois
    Starting the week at Stopover #5—first stop in Illinois.
  • October 15: Whooping Cranes Advance in Illinois
    Starting the week at the second stop in Illinois, 175 miles gone.
  • October 22: Whooping Cranes Still Stalled at Stopover #6
    They haven't flown since Oct. 12. Why?
  • October 29: Cranes and Planes Gain 114 Miles
    The week brought a loss as well as a gain. Rest in peace, #10.
  • November 5: Cranes Now Crossing Kentucky!
    Three more stopovers and 164 miles gained = a great week!
  • November 12: Cranes Pass Halfway Mark
    Only one stop remains in Tennessee, with 569 miles gone!
  • November 19: Migration Soars: Under 200 Miles to Go!
    A week of spectacular progress leaves 187 miles to the finish.
  • November 21: One Flight to Go!
    The young cranes may complete migration Friday or Saturday!
  • November 23: They're Home!
    After flying the final 28 miles the journey south is complete.
  • December 5: A Big Week at St. Marks NWR
    Final health checks and banding take place the end of this week
  • December 14: "Fab Five" Released to Freedom!
    Their gates were opened on Dec. 12: The cranes are flying free!

 

 

 


Fall 2012 Migration
(map | stopovers)

Daily Field Journal
Operation Migration posts migration updates daily so you can follow along.


Keep a Migration Journal
Summarize year 12 of this historic conservation effort in your own migration journal.

Meet the Cranes
Get to know this year's six young chicks by reading their life histories.

Journey North is presented by Annenberg Learner. Partial funding for this fall's news updates are made possible through Operation Migration by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Southern Company through the Power of Flight Program.


Produced in Collaboration with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership