November 26, 2005 Migration Day 44   Pen site in Meigs County, TN. Operation Migration It's the Weather. . .Again +o Miles The crew are cranes are hunkered at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, held down by the weather their first day after arriving. That's okay; they all worked hard to get here yesterday. Getting there was easier for the birds flying without the ultralight; THREE DAR BIRDS also made it to Hiwassee--on only Day 2 of their migration!!! (See journaling questions below.) That is exciting news! The sandhills are leading them, but now they have a chance to meet up with other older whoopers who use Hiwassee as a stopping site too. Remember: the public can see a fly-over when the birds depart Hiwassee. If you live close, keep an eye on the weather. Help the Cranes and Planes Reach Florida! Track the Migration Use our map or make your own with this migration data. (Click map to enlarge.) Keep a Migration Journal • Today's Questions: Which DAR chick flew 435 miles on day 1 of her migration? (You GO, girl!) Which 3 DAR chicks reached Hiwassee on the second day of their migration---the same day as the ultralight flock got there? (To find out, click on life story pages from links on the 2005 Flock Chart. DAR birds are in the bottom row.) If you need to, revise your earlier predictions for the DAR chicks. Joe's Answer to Yesterday's Question: Yesterday we asked why you think cool air makes better flying conditions than warm air, and we promised Joe's answer. Compare Joe's with yours, and revise your answer if you need to. Joe says: "Cold air is dense and compact. It's thicker, so you get more oxygen when you breathe in. When a crane does a wingbeat, there's more to push against. When the propeller spins, there's more thrust. When the wing flies, there's more lift to it. The aircraft works better, the engine works better, the propeller works better, the wing works better. And the birds' wings work better. They get more oxygen, and they don't overheat." Joe Duff         Migration Journal 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.