Countdown to Migration: September 3, 2010 | ||
Four weeks from today, 13 young Whooping crane chicks born in May will take off on the longest journey of their young lives: a 1250-mile migration to a winter home in Florida. They are training in two separate groups, but that will soon change. Get to know the quirky 4-month-old crane-kids in Crane Quiz #1 and see slideshow, "Whooping Crane Comeback." Today's Report Includes:
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Welcome: What's Ahead | ||
Four weeks from today, 13 young Whooping crane chicks born in May will take off on the longest journey of their young lives: a 1250-mile migration to a winter home in Florida. Will they be ready? How long will it take for the journey south? The adventure will begin October 1 (weather permitting), and Journey South gives you a front-row seat and daily news. But first, for the next four Fridays we’ll Countdown to Migration with the latest chick chat, crane quiz questions about the Class of 2010, and a series of slideshows/booklets about this Whooping crane reintroduction. When the crane kids are ready, you will be too! | ||
Chick Chat: Two Groups Training | ||
Right now the 13 chicks are living and training in two separate age groups called cohorts. They’ve been able to fly since they were 60-70 days old. The younger group is getting better at staying together in a group as they fly with the ultralight plane. Fewer birds drop out as they get stronger and discover the fun of flying. It’s best if they can practice flying every day, but Wisconsin’s late summer weather has been calm and clear (good for flying) only every three or four days. Team helper Barb is saddened by the looks of disappointment on their little faces when she checks the chicks on days they can’t fly! The next big step will be joining the two groups into one. We’ll hear about that next week! |
TEACHERS: You may wish to block your computer's pop-up ads before clicking to Crane Cam.
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Meet the Flock: Crane Quiz #1 | Print the Quiz | |
Will any of this year's chicks remind you of people you know? Find out when you click on each photo to find the chick's "Baby Book" and life story, or bio page: Now dig in, detectives! Search the bio pages for answers to four fun questions in Crane Quiz #1: CRANE
QUIZ #1 |
Crane #10-10 already has a nickname. Using clues in this photo, what would YOU call her? |
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Journal Question: New Numbers | Journey South Journal | |
Each
chick in the new Eastern Flock has a number as a lifelong name. The first
part of the number tells the order in which the chick hatched last spring.
It is followed by a dash and the number 10, which means their birth year
of 2010. Here’s the first question to answer in your personal Journey
South Journal: Teachers: Choose “Responding to Journal Questions” from our collection of Journey South journal pages. |
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Booklet: "Whooping Crane Comeback" | Teacher Guide | |
It's
been a busy week at the Wisconsin wildlife refuge where the chicks
have "flight
school." Who are these gangly and special young birds? What is that
funny-looking flying machine? Who's inside those
baggy white sacks? |
This
week's booklet! .pdf |
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Countdown to Migration: Posted Fridays | ||
Weekly
Summaries are posted (by email) to registered participants on FRIDAYS:
Sep 3, 10, 17, 24; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12, 19— or
until this year's newest "ultra-chicks" reach their winter home
in
Florida! |
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We'll be back with more news next Friday: September 10, 2010. | ||
More
Whooping Crane Lessons
and Teaching Ideas! |
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