Whooping Crane
Whooping Crane
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November 3, 2005
Migration Day 21
craneHY05_090
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:

$15.00 buys 50 pounds of Crane Chow.
$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).

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