Whooping Crane

Almost Home! (+68.7 Miles) January 27, 2008: Migration Day 96 Chris with 12 cranes at Dunnellon Flyover January 27 Photo Mark Chenoweth Oh, happy day! They made it! The birds and ultralights arrived in Marion County, Florida, at 9:15 this morning, flying over a crowd of about 1,000 people who gathered at the Dunnellon Municipal Airport to witness the thrilling flyover. The planes and cranes continued onward, and soon the awesome Class of 2007 landed safely at the layover pen at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. And here's more good news! Tomorrow's weather looks good for the 26-mile flight to Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge ("Chass") in Citrus County, where the young cranes will finally settle at their new wintering habitat. For now, relief and joy rules this day!   (Map|Data) In the Classroom Journal Question: Last year the young cranes arrived at Halpata on December 19 and stayed until January 12. During this time they had a health check and got their permanent color-coded leg bands. Then the team flew the birds over to their final winter pen at "Chass." But this year the team hopes to fly them the final distance tomorrow. Why do you think the plan changed?       Help the Cranes and Planes Reach Florida! Map Daily News The Chicks The Team Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in cooperation with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Facebook Pinterest Twitter © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.