October 8, 2003 Migration Target Date 3...2...1...WAIT! Heather Announces "No Go" Today Watch It Now Tips Click on the video to join us live on the scene at 7:00 this morning to see Operation Migration's Heather Ray announce the day's news! Alas...for the third straight year, the weather on the target date failed to cooperate and the migration didn't start as planned. Everyone--including the nearly 100 hopeful spectators who huddled on the hill or the observation tower at Necedah in the predawn darkness and fog--is hoping the air will be calmer tomorrow. As we look forward to the departure, take a moment to read (or hear your teacher read) a special poem that was written for pilots Bill Lishman and Joe Duff by a their poet friend in commemoration of the first ultralight-led Canada geese migration. The poem is a send-off that will make you think about this historic Whooping crane migration in new ways. Don't miss the accompanying activities in our Reading and Writing Connection lesson for this poem, too: A Migration Poem by Owen Neill Dawn (left) and Shaundra, 6:45 a.m. Meanwhile, several students were at the refuge before daybreak in hopes of seeing the take-off. This photo shows 15-year old Dawn from Amherst Junction and her friend Shaundra from Stevens Point. Dawn has traveled to Necedah with her Mom and Grandmother (age 89) for all three ultralight-led migration send-offs. Last year they came 4 days in a row before the weather was finally right for the take- off. Dawn's grandmother says she feels like the birds can't leave unless she's there--and Dawn loves being here, too, except "It's really hard getting up so early!" They'll be back tomorrow! Try This! Journaling Question In the video above, Heather said the morning winds from the southwest would likely increase to 20-25 knots. Explain why she called these headwinds. Do some research to find out how many miles per hour those winds would be. What do you have to know in order to figure out the answer? Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Copyright 2003-2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form