December 8, 2004 Migration Day 60 Standing Down and a New Plan Photo OM The team is standing down today in Gilchrist County, FL. Weather is warm, overcast and foggy with south winds at 10-15 mph. The humidity concerns the team, and they have decided to break the remaining distance into two flights. This would make it easier on the young cranes, who sometimes have difficulty breathing in humid air. In these humid conditions, the new plan is to first guide the birds to an interim stopover in Citrus County. This would shorten the distance of the final flight to about 20 miles. The second and final flight would take the cranes over the Crystal River Shopping Mall for the public flyover. The birds would then continue on to their new winter home in the salt marsh of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Because they aren't flying today, the earliest date for the public flyover would be Friday, Dec. 10. Hang in there; the crane-kids are almost home! Map the Migration Make your own map using the latest migration data Try This! Journaling Questions Why are ultralight journeys small compared to the distance wild birds can travel? Think about it, and then read what pilot Joe Duff says: Why Such Short Daily Flights? Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Copyright 2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form