No-fly Day Due to Rain (+0 Miles)
October 24, 2008: Migration Day 8

Photo Megan Kennedy, Operation Migration

Today brought pouring rain. They'll stay grounded on Day 8.

The migration got a slow start. Do you think the cranes are getting restless in the pen? Bev compared it to this: "Imagine 14 teenagers all in your basement on a rainy day with no TV or stereo or Internet. Nightmare!" The team does NOT want the chicks to get bored. Boredom leads to trouble: aggression, or pecking at things on the pen, such as canvas end panels, that shouldn't be pecked. It's time to bring "toys" into the pen! The photo shows a favorite crane toy. "As soon as the pumpkin gets broken up, every chick either claims a piece to carry around, or starts pecking away at the chunks and seeds," says Bev.

In the Classroom

  • Today's Journal Questions:
    (a) What do you do when you are bored? What helps?
    (b-for-bonus) Crane #810 was released on the refuge this week. What do you expect from this crane in his future? Write and explain predictions in your journal with facts from #810's life story to back up your predictions. (We will keep his bio page updated. Scroll to the bottom of #810's bio page for the latest.)
  • Record Keeping: On your printout of the migration comparison chart make a tally mark to record another no-fly day. What's the ratio of fly days to no-fly days now?
   

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