Whooping Crane
 

In the Air Again! (+19 Miles)
 October 21, 2008: Migration Day 5

Hooray! At 7:43 John and Bev threw open the gates as today's lead Pilot Chris swooped low past the pen. All 14 birds took off after Chris as Swamp Monster (it's Heather's turn) chased out the lagging #830. After a flurry of confusion in the air, ten birds lined up by Brooke's wing to head south. The other pilots were left to round up and lead the remaining four. All fourteen birds flew the distance, and tonight's roost is Stopover #2 (south Juneau County, WI).

In the Classroom

  • Today's Journal Questions:
  • (a) How many miles of the approximately 1285-mile migration have they flown so far? (REMEMBER what you learned in yesterday's journal question: migration flights of over 200 miles in one day are likely as they gain more endurance and get good weather conditons.)
    (b-for-bonus)     The first wild whooper in the natural (Western) flock reached the wintering grounds in Texas on October 20 — just 4 days after the average first-arrival date of October 16. A cold front with north winds that reached Aransas NWR on October 17 likely helped the crane complete the 2,400-mile migration from Canada. Re-read the previous sentence to answer: What two weather clues will also mean good migration conditions for the14 ultralight-led cranes just starting migration?
  • Record Keeping: On your printout of the migration comparison chart make a tally mark to record another fly day. Go cranes!

Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in cooperation with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).

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