Weekly updates will be posted here on Mondays:

August 20: Getting Ready for Fall Migration
Operation Migration's target departure date: September 30!

September 23: Whooping Crane Migration About to Begin!
It's the final countdown to a hoped-for departure September 30.

September 30: Winds Halt Departure Plans
Southwinds are headwinds, so migration won't start today.

October 2: NEWSFLASH: Migration 2013 Begins!
They had perfect flying conditons and a short flight to Stopover #1!

October 7: Stalled at Stopover #1
Rain and winds foil Week One progress.

October 14: Finally Airborne Again!
After 11 days down, good flying condtions—and the birds—prevailed.

October 21: Some Miles and Much Cooperation
The October 17 flight proved the birds have the right stuff!

October 28: Now in Illinois!
Flights on Oct. 22 and 25 advanced the migration to 120 miles gone.

November 4: A Single Day of Progress
Birds eagerly flew 55 miles on Nov. 3 after 9 days grounded by winds.

November 11: Two Flights, 144-Mile Gain
The birds show they're ace fliers, but wind sare the foe of progress.

November 18: Hello, Kentucky! 453 Miles Gone
A double-leg flight today brought them from Illinois into Kentucky!

November 25: Now in Tennessee
A double-leg flight for the second day in a row brought them from Kentucky into Tennessee, where winds have stalled them for 6 days.

December 2: Alabama Tomorrow?
They're starting the week grounded at the last stop in Tennessee. How many good fly-days would finish the journey south?

December 9: Long Stall Continues
(Yawn.) This is day 10 grounded by weather since they landed at the last stop in Tennessee: Six tops and 465 miles to finish.

December 16: Trying to Cross Alabama
They’re in Winston County, Alabama, stopover #15 of 22. What challenges are they facing at 703 miles gone?

December 23: Skippity Doo-Dah!
Pilot Richard and four loyal cranes flew 101 miles to Chilton County, Alabama, in last week's only flight. 804 miles gone!

January 5: Migration Finished!
The awesome eight of the Class of 2013 completed their 1101-mile migration. They are home for the winter.

Fall 2013 Migration
(map | stopovers)

Daily Field Journal
Operation Migration posts migration updates daily so you can follow along.

Meet the Cranes
Get to know this year's young cranes by reading their life histories.