Today's Report Includes:

• Chick Chat: Into One Group Next

• Look and Listen: Sept. 15 Training

• Journaling: Joe’s Reply to Last Week’s Question

• Meet the Flock: Crane Quiz #3

• Booklet: "Off to Flight School: Finding Their Wings"

• Change4Cranes: Win a Classroom Visit

• Countdown to Migration: Posted Fridays

The team was all set to fly the 8 oldest birds over to join the other 9 on September 20. Finally “everybirdy” would be at the same pen site - a big day! But the early morning calm suddenly turned windy, foggy, and foggier yet. On several recent days, such weather has cancelled flying practice for the birds and planes. The next big step in blending all the birds together can't happen until weather cooperates. Will it be today? How many days left till hoped-for departure on Oct. 10?

Like many visitors to the Necedah Crane Festival, we were thrilled on September 15 to be at the refuge for a GREAT flying day on September 15!

Thanks to Mark's video, you can join us in the observation tower to watch the birds fly. We wore mittens, but the cold air was perfect for the chicks and trikes. Sandhill cranes, ducks, geese and other birds filled the air too. Autumn is here, and they're all getting restless. See and hear the fabulous flights! >>

Last week we asked a question about blending the 3 cohorts into one group. Why do you think the middle and youngest birds are joined together first, and the oldest birds added last? Now you can compare your ideas to those of Joe Duff, Operation Migration pilot and project leader.

From Three Groups to One >>
(Joe’s Video Clip and Printed Text)

We've updated many of the chicks’ stories again after talking with the pilots and trainers at the Necedah Crane Festival last week. Click on photos here to learn more about each chick:

• Meet the Flock, Hatch Year 2007 >>

CRANE QUIZ #3
While you're on the chicks' biography pages, look for answers to this week's Crane Quiz.

Meet the Flock! >>
Photo WCEP

Why are the chicks shipped all the way to Wisconsin after hatching in Maryland? What are two reasons why they must arrive in Wisconsin before they learn to fly? Find answers in the third booklet of our pre-migration series of six titles. Each booklet comes in a matching Web slide show as well as .pdf format ready to print, fold, and enjoy.

• "Who Am I? Imprinting" (Printer-friendly, downloadable kids' booklet). pdf >>
• Web slideshow version >>
  

Sign up for Operation Migration’s Change4Cranes kit (free) BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 and you could be one of three winners in an October 1 drawing for an O.M. team member to visit your classroom!

• Operation Migration's Change4Cranes Kit
  

Order Form

Weekly Summaries are posted (by email) to registered participants on FRIDAYS: Sep 7, 14, 21, 28; Oct 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16 . . . or until this year's newest Eastern flock chicks reach their winter home in Florida!

Pre-migration: Each Friday before migration, a brief e-mail notice gives current newsy tidbits and announces a downloadable booklet for building background knowledge.
During migration: When migration begins (October 10 or after), the Friday e-mails will summarize the DAILY Highlight Updates that were posted on the Web during the week. You'll want to go to the Web for the latest maps, facts, photos, and fun!

We'll be back with more news next Friday: September 28, 2007.