 |
 |
 |
November
3,
2005
Migration Day 21
 |
The
fleet of four Cosmos trikes. Note that Joe's trike has a new style wing (green leading edge) which doesn't have the top wires that could pose a threat to the cranes. Photo Operation Migration |
Too
Windy in Indy
+0 Miles
They've come a total of 393.1 miles, but today's winds are too strong
(30 mph) and from the wrong direction (southwest) for migrating. And
guess
what?
The
weather
forecast shows the team may be stuck in Morgan County for
a
few days
due to merging weather patterns. Don't
worry about the birds; When it's too windy for the aircraft to fly,
the birds are released to exercise
on their own. Taking off into the wind is an instinctive behavior for
birds. Even before they learn to fly, a gust will excite them. Meanwhile,
the weather delay could be the chance many of you are waiting for:
Next
Stop! See the Cranes at Muscatatuck
NWR
The Muscatatuck
National Wildlife Refuge is the next stop--and a chance for "craniacs"
to see the birds! Located
in south central Indiana near Seymour, the refuge includes an area
especially managed for waterfowl, other migratory birds, and endangered
species. You need to be there by 7:15 a.m. Click
here for directions, and be sure to check Operation
Migration's site for further details.
A Way
to Help
Why not save the gas for driving to Jennings County to see
the birds--but
send the gas money to support the migration? Each of the aproximately
1200 miles costs $184.00. Sponsor a mile, half-mile or quarter
mile. But ANY amount of money helps:
$32.00 buys 5,000 mealworms for Robo-crane to dispense.
$40.00 fills the fuel tank of one ultralight, which brings bout 3 hours of flight time.
Visit Operation Migration's Website to find out how to give!
| Track the Migration Use our map or make your own with this migration data. (Click map to enlarge.) |
|
| Keep a Migration Journal • Today's Question: Why can't the ultralights fly when it's so windy? (Hint: See yesterday's question.) When have you changed your plans due to the weather? • Migration Math: Most of the wild natural flock of whoopers had departed from Canada by October 22 when temperatures got well below freezing. They are scattered through the migration corridor between Canada and Texas, but many are "home!" An aerial census of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on November 2, 2005 counted 113 adults + 14 young = 127 total on the Texas wintering grounds. About 235 whooping cranes are expected to arrive at Aransas this winter. What percentage of the flock has completed the migration?
|
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 our
feedback form.