Today's Report Includes:

• Chick Chat: Still Two Groups

• Training Timeline: Update

• Journal: Joe's Reply

• Meet the Flock: Crane Quiz #4

• Booklet: "Life at Camp O.M."

• Countdown to Migration: Posted Fridays

Migration is just three weeks away. How are the birds doing? "The oldest four are able to train for 45 minutes and the middle group for around 20, but the youngest birds aren't yet flying much more than a circuit or two," reports Liz at the main office of Operation Migration. A few days last week were too windy to fly, and one day pilot Richard wrote his name in the fog by flying his airplane! But training and progress continue on the good-weather days.

The 11 birds in cohorts two and three continue to get along and socialize well with no aggression problems. They won't fly yet as a single group because of the difference in flying abilities between the groups. A lot must happen in the next three weeks!

On what date were Cohorts 2 and 3 left together in the same pen at night for the first time? Have the oldest birds joined the larger group yet? See milestones, links, and key events for the Class of 2008 here:

• Key Timeline Events: Hatch Year 2008 >>

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 Hatch Year 2008 Chicks >>

CRANE QUIZ #3
While you're on the chicks' biography pages, look for answers to Crane Quiz #4! >>

Photos Operation Migration
Meet the Flock! >>

What important lessons are the chicks learning in flight school at Camp O.M.? (O.M. stands for Operation Migration and the team of experts who lead these cranes south.) Do the chicks get report cards?

Find answers in the fourth 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 ready to print, fold, and enjoy.

Weekly Summaries are posted (by email) to registered participants on FRIDAYS: Sep. 5, 12, 19, 26; Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21 — 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 in October, 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: October 3, 2008.