No Go: Took Off, Turned Back (+0 Miles)
December 1, 2011: Migration Day 54
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Image: Operation Migration |
They really tried to leave today, but they are still at the final stop in Illinois. After yesterday's 119-mile flight, some of the cranes wouldn't follow the ultralight upon takeoff. They headed right for a nearby field, which was turned into a sloshy pond after recent rains! It has been too long since the birds had a nice marsh to wade in. "Despite five costumes doing their best, no way were those birds going to be coaxed out of there," reported Liz from the Wayne County site. The pilots knew it would take more than an hour to get themselves organized for another takeoff. That, with the long time it would take to cover today's distance in some winds aloft, was reason enough to give up. So it is Down Day 1 in Wayne County, Illinois—with another state at the next stop!
Teachers: If your school is within 30 or 40 miles of the migration route, you are invited to contact educators and Operation Migration volunteers Gordon and Christine to ask about a classroom visit.
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In the Classroom: Journal or Discussion (a) What state will they enter on the next flight? How many miles is the next flight? How many miles has the migration traveled so far? See Data page to anwer. (b for Bonus) If you were a pilot, what would be your most favorite migration time? Here's what Brooke wrote during a previous migration: "One would think the best of migration times would be while flying with the birds, but in fact, for me, it is the 'just-having-flown' time—the arrival time. It's the period just after landing from a long flight when the birds are still exuberant from effort and challenge, more than a little shy beacuse of their new surrounds, but hugely inquisitive, alert, and, most endearing of all, they are most trusting." What do you learn about Brooke from this paragraph? |
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