Countdown to Migration: September 23, 2005 Chick Chat: All 20 Chicks Now at One Pen Update Your Training Timeline! Meet the Flock: Getting to Know the Cranes Crane Quiz #3 This Week's Booklet: "Off to Flight School: Finding Their Wings" Countdown to Migration--Posted Every Friday Chick Chat: All 20 Chicks Now at One Pen! Another migration milestone happened this week! On September 17, the oldest chicks (Cohort 1) joined flockmates of Cohorts 2 and 3 at one pen site. The fence that divides the oldest six from the younger 14 will be removed after they get used to being near each other. (Since the older birds can potentially be more aggressive and menacing, now being in unfamiliar territory makes them less likely to beat up the younger birds. At the same time, it gives the younger birds a chance to assert themselves and feel more comfortable, since they don't have to get used to a new place.) The 14 are working out their pecking order. Soon comes the challenge of flying all twenty in one flock. When will it happen? Stay tuned! The closest five flying behind the trike on September 17, a foggy morning in Wisconsin. Can you see radio antennae on the legs? Photo Wayne Kryduba Update Your Training Timeline! How many cranes? Photo W. Kryduba You can add the latest milestone to your own timeline for this year's flock. Milestones and key events for the newest members of the Eastern flock are listed here: Key Timeline Events: Hatch-year 2005     Meet the New Cranes! Meet the Flock: Getting to Know the Cranes Two of the group of 14 wouldn't leave the runway on Saturday, so they aren't in the photo. It's further proof that each chick has a unique personality. Read about them here: Meet the Flock, Hatch Year 2005 Crane Quiz #3 While you're on the biography pages, find the answers to these questions: (Strategy tip: Remember that the birds are numbered in hatching order from oldest to youngest.) 1. What is the age range between the oldest chick and the youngest chick? (Age range: How many days apart did they hatch?) 2. Which of the oldest chicks is a good flyer, but is such a picky eater that she has to wash off anything she eats? 3. Which older chick is the biggest bird, a good flyer, and dominant personality--but sometimes leads other birds away in training sessions? 4. Which of the youngest birds is one of the current top three dominant birds and has a slightly crooked bill? Crane Quiz #3 (Printer-friendly version) This Week's Booklet: "Off to Flight School: Finding Their Wings" Build background about the chicks' arrival in Wisconsin and the start of flight school with this week's booklet. How do the chicks begin training with the trike (ultralight plane)? Why are they shipped from their birthplace at a captive breeding center in Maryland all the way to Wisconsin? What are two reasons why they must be delivered to Wisconsin before they learn to fly? What happens in flight school? Find answers in the third kids' booklet in our series of six. The booklets come in .pdf format, ready to print, fold, and enjoy. You'll also find links to the Teacher Guide and a booklet slide-show format to view on the Web: "Off to Flight School: Finding Their Wings" (Printer-friendly,downloadable kids' booklet) Countdown to Migration: Posted Every Friday E-mail Summaries are posted to registered participants on FRIDAYS: Sep 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25. . .or until this year's newest Eastern whooping crane chicks reach their winter home in Florida! Pre-migration: Each Friday, a brief e-mail notice gives current newsy tidbits and announces a downloadable booklet for building background. During migration: When migration begins, the Friday e-mails will summarize the Highlight Updates (complete with latest maps, facts, photos, and fun) that were posted daily on the Web during the week. Also, Welcome to New Participants! See You Next Friday, September 30! Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in cooperation with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Copyright 2005 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to jn-help@learner.org