Turned
Back from the Beast! (+0
Miles)
December 17, 2007: Migration Day 66
 |
People
who came to watch the departure got to see some great views,
but the winds and clouds over the mountain ridge made it
too unsafe to cross. |
Today the 4 ultralights and
17 birds launched on this cold morning and headed for The Beast. But the
pilots could not get over the ridge. The 35mp winds aloft were
more than the cranes and planes could handle. Ice was forming on
the aircraft wings, and the bottom of the clouds were below the
top of the ridge, meaning no visibility in crossing. The decision
was made in the
air to
give up and fly the birds to
a pen site used in previous years, 10.2 miles away. Today's flying
exercise was good for the birds. It reminded them of what their
job is after 10 days on the ground! What's next? More news tomorrow.
 |
In
the Classroom
Today's
Journal Question: (a) Have you ever had to try two or three
times to do something difficult? Were you finally successful? What
did you learn from that?
(b-for-bonus) Why do you think the
pilots took the birds to a new pen site instead of
taking
them
back
to the
pen
where
they spent
the past 10 days? (HINT: it has something to do with the birds' health.)
Journey
North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in
cooperation with the Whooping
Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.
