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Year
Six: Journey South with Endangered Whooping Cranes Led by Ultralights Also summering at the refuge (and often interfering with training!) are all but four of the 61 gleaming white adults from the five previous ultralight-led migrations—plus the flock's first wild-hatched chicks! The long-awaited event took place in June. Watching carefully through binoculars, experts say both chicks are just days from taking their first flights.
An additional five mottled young whooper chicks are being costume-reared
for a different flight plan. After the ultralights depart with their 18 chicks,
these five will be released among the experienced adult whooping cranes summering
on the refuge. If all goes according to plan, they will follow the older
cranes
all the way to Florida, thus learning their lifelong migration route. These
whooper chicks are part of the Direct Autumn Release (DAR), which is another
step for adding young cranes to this growing new flock. This is year two
for the DAR program. Where Are They Now? Meet the Cranes and See Egg-to-Sky Timeline Because this year's story really began during the summer, now's the time to meet the new chicks and catch up on their progress. We've kept track of the 18 chicks since they hatched last spring. After learning their personalities, you'll see why many students enjoy "adopting" a crane to follow throughout fall's journey south and spring's return journey north! Our timeline of key events will help you follow the flock's milestones so far. Use the information to start a school or classroom timeline now; add to your timeline when the daily migration Updates start in October.
FRIDAYS:
E-mail Summaries Arrive E-mail
Summaries are posted to registered participants on FRIDAYS: BEFORE Migration: Build Background with Downloadable Booklets for Kids Do you wonder what makes a chick think a tiny airplane is its mom? Why are they following a 350-pound airplane and not their own parents? What are those billowy white costumes about? Why is pecking order a big deal when raising these chicks? Our just-for-kids nonfiction booklets offer facts while building reading skills and supporting standards. Between now and the migration departure in October, a series of weekly downloadable nonfiction booklets (in a recommended chronological order) will cover the “Big Ideas” of the young cranes' development and training. A companion Teacher Guide helps make the most of each booklet and coordinating lessons on the Web. Booklets are also available on the Web in slide show format.
Follow
Daily Migration Updates Map
the Migration Keep
Migration Journals Predict
and Compare
Fall Lessons
and Activities
Thank you for joining us for this exciting migration. Now the fun begins!
Journey
North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in
cooperation with the
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