Whooping Crane
 

Wind Keeps Them Down (+ 0 Miles)
 December 31, 2008: Migration Day 65

Photo Richard van Heuvelen, Operation Migration

After 111 miles of progress the past two days, today is a no-fly day. A cold front is moving through will soon reach the birds' location, bringing strong NNW winds and air turbulence. They will end 2008 on the ground in their Chilton County pen in Alabama.

Where are the older whoopers of the new Eastern flock as 2008 ends? The 74 birds include 21 in Florida, 4 in Georgia, 4 in South Carolina, 9 in Alabama, 10 at Hiwassee WR/Armstrong Bend in Tennessee, 7 at other locations in Tennessee, 16 still migrating and/or at currently unknown locations, and 3 birds of unknown status.

In the Classroom:

  • Today's Journal Questions:
    (a) Chris reported yesterday: "827 has been slow coming out of the pen for the last several flights, so for the second day in a row he was coaxed out of the pen before the launch. As I landed and taxied up to the pen, I could see him standing patiently beside the costumed ground crew awaiting my signal to open the pen panels." Explain why you think the team did this.
  • (b-for-bonus) "Ideally, we want to be located to the east of weak high pressure system because the counterclockwise flow around the high gives us gentle north winds," explains pilot and weather expert Chris Gullikson. On the Web, check a weather map for the cranes' location (see Data link at the right) and make your prediction about whether they will fly tomorrow.

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

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