|
Comparing Ultralight-Led Migrations |
||
|
2001 |
2002 |
|
| Target date for departure |
October 13 |
Oct. 7 and then Oct. 10 |
| Actual departure |
October 17 |
October 13 |
| Number of birds at takeoff |
8 |
17 |
| Number of planes |
4: lead, chase, scout, top cover |
5: 4 ultralights and 1 top cover |
| Journey's end |
December 3 |
November 30 |
| Number of birds reaching Florida |
7 |
16 (See #210) |
| Total days en route |
48 |
49 |
| Number of no-fly days (grounded) |
23 |
28 |
| Number of actual flight days |
25 |
21 |
| Longest flight |
2 hours 9 minutes |
2 hours 15 minutes |
| Shortest flight |
38 minutes |
44 minutes |
| Total Miles South |
1217.8 |
1202.8 |
| Number of birds surviving winter |
5 |
16 |
NOTES:
Crane #10 was injured on the first day during flight and euthanized 12
days later.
They got "behind" last year's migration progress at Boone County, Indiana when weather delayed them Nov. 4. But later they made up for lost time and finished in 49 days (compared to 48 days in 2001).
The cranes and planes landed in separate locations on two days, but reunited to fly together again.
Four yearling cranes from last year's ultralight flock beat this year's ultralights and colts to Chassahowitzka, taking just 6 days for their complete migration.
On some days, not all 16 cranes managed to fly. Those who didn't fly had to be driven in ground vehicles. THe record was 9 boxed birds on NOvember 24 when only 3 made the flight successfully!
This year they crossed Georgia in just 3 days. Last year they were stranded there by bad weather on several days.
[YOUR notes may be different from ours, and you may have more
or fewer notes. Good job!]
(Read Notes on
the first migration in 2001.)
Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).
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