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Site Map
|
| Date: |
October 31st, 2006 - Entry 4 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Marie Brady |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
LaSalle County, IL |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 27 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action -
USA |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Craniac Kids Take Action - Canada |
| Subject: |
Down Day Activities |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
Another day of strong winds kept us
from continuing our way through Illinois. As frustrating
as down days are, they can be incredibly useful. They
are not all fun and games though, because while down
days offer a slight reprieve from a travel-day’s hustle
and bustle, there is still lots of necessary work to be
done.
Most of us can be found doing those little things that
are often overlooked, or put aside because of more
pressing matters on travel days. If birds have been
boxed, the crates need to be cleaned and disinfected.
Our own trailers can usually stand to be vacuumed and
rugs shaken out, those nasty little Asian beetles sucked
up, trash disposed of, and things actually put away
instead of strewn about haphazardly. (Don't worry Jane,
the Hornet is clean, I saw to it myself!)
Today there was plenty to be done to keep us busy.
Richard and Chris fixed/replaced the furnace on one
motorhome after it went 'ka-bluey'. And Charlie and I
went down to the next stopover to fix the travel trailer
that was set up yesterday afternoon. A wiring harness
needed to be replaced because it was grounding out on
the frame and blows fuses in the vehicles that tow it. I
don't know what that means, but Charlie the resident
Know-It-All does, and that is what is important! (And I
mean 'know-it-all' in a good way.)
Meanwhile, at the bird pen, they enjoyed a nice relaxing
day off. 608 has made a huge improvement with her eye.
The ulcer is much reduced and she is holding her injured
eye open just as much as the other. She no longer acts
submissive and is back to her old self.
The other birds seem very calm, even more so then usual.
Our presence at the pen usually instigates a few
squabbles among the birds as they vie for position near
the costume. Today however this was not the case. Most
of the birds were peacefully eating and drinking
together and peeping contentedly. That is until 613
picked up a golf ball sized seedpod that 604 wanted. 604
went after it as 613 ran toward a water bucket to clean
off her find. Then 606 ran in to grab the seed, but 613
gulped it down too quickly. 606, obviously disgruntled
that she didn’t get any, gave 613 a peck on the back.
That seemed to restore the peace, and by the time we
left the pen the three birds were foraging side-by-side.
THE MIGRATION CREW AT SUPPORTER'S HOME: Photo by Vi
White
View the photo here in the 2006 Migration Photo Journal.
|
| Date: |
October 31st, 2006 - Entry 3 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Brooke Pennypacker |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
LaSalle County, IL |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 27 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action -
USA |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Craniac Kids Take Action - Canada |
| Subject: |
Doing an Instant Replay |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
No flying again today. This is all
the more disappointing because it was such a beautiful
day - except for too much wind from the wrong direction.
It did, however, provide an opportunity to reflect on
our last flight, press the mental rewind button, roll it
around the mind like a smooth river-worn pebble through
thumb and fingers, allowing the mind to peer into every
nook and cranny of it, seeking out every last ounce of
pleasure, exhilaration and meaning it might contain.
The flight started well; the birds as anxious as we were
to be airborne again and on the move. Chris led the
birds skyward after a beautiful takeoff. Minutes later,
the birds fragmented into two groups. The second dropped
lower than the others, so Joe moved in and picked them
up while Richard moved into chase position behind him. I
did the same behind Chris. I was treated yet again to
the magical sight of a string of Whoopers flying in
perfect formation off Chris’s wing.
But aerial situations are fluid by nature, and after a
time the last bird in the string started to drop,
perhaps due to fatigue or maybe her innate need to
express her individuality. So, after a drop of 500 feet,
I slowly pulled up alongside and said, "How about a
lift?" Yeah, I know, it's a major violation of project
protocol to talk to the birds, but I'll let you in on a
little secret. I do it all the time - all the time while
flying with them that is. The engine roar, of course,
masks my voice, but that doesn’t prevent me from sharing
my problems with them, of which I have many; or my great
ideas, of which I have few, or explaining to them in my
most authoritative voice why it is in their long term
best interest to follow me and to do exactly as I
command. I am, after all, older and wiser and, according
to my mother, much better looking than they are!
So, for the next hour and twenty minutes or so, it was
me and 608 occupying the same little piece of time and
space, both committed to an aerial bonding, building a
trust and a confidence that would hopefully last long
after landing and into the next flight and the flight
after that, all the way to Florida.
Flying with one bird holds a special intimacy not
experienced with the larger group. It's special and
powerful and it changes forever the way one thinks and
feels about that bird. We climbed to 2000 feet and
together gazed down as the textured rectangles of
Illinois rolled out beneath us. Then is was over. We
landed and it was time for each of us to rejoin our own
flocks. I walked 608 into the pen with the others , and
as the four of us pilots walked back towards our waiting
trikes, I looked back to catch a glimpse of 608 one last
time. From this day forward she will always be 'Number
608' in the Program, but 'Number One' in the hearts of
the fans. This fan, anyway.
|
| Date: |
October 31st, 2006 - Entry 2 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Joe Duff |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
LaSalle County, IL |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 27 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action -
USA |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Craniac Kids Take Action - Canada |
| Subject: |
Keeping Warm |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
The longer it takes us to reach
the southern states, the colder the mornings. Already we
have experienced snow, a first for the Whooping crane
migrations but not for our earlier work with geese.
When it's your turn to lead, you are generally too
focused to notice the cold. If they are all following
one aircraft, the rest of us tag along behind with
little to do but watch, so the coldest mornings are when
the air is calm and the birds are behaving. The 35 mph
wind begins to eat away at your heat reserves, so
dressing warmly is critical.
Each of us have our own methods of maintaining body
heat, but it all starts with long johns under our flight
suits, with the costume as the outer layer. We wear
insulated waterproof boots and keep hand warmers inside
heavy mitts stuffed in fleece lined gauntlets attached
to the control bar. The hard part is when you have to
remove the mitts to adjust the GPS or use the camera.
If the winds are good and we can over fly a stop, we are
generally airborne for 2 hours. After we land, we lead
the birds off to an isolated spot until the ground crew
arrives and gets the pen set up. If we have flown for 2
hours, that generally means they have to drive for 3
after packing up the pen at the last site. The set up at
the new location takes roughly an hour, so the birds are
not secured until sometime in the early afternoon.
By this time it is often 70 degrees and we pilots are
still dressed for sub zero conditions. If you pull your
arms inside the costume you can begin to remove some
layers if you are desperate. I often speculate about
what the birds think when their 'parents' begin to
convulse and contort while standing ankle deep in mud.
Note: New photos posted to Photo Journal
|
| Date: |
October 31st, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 27 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action -
USA |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Craniac Kids Take Action - Canada |
| Subject: |
Wind, Wind, Wind |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
Joe made the call this morning just
after 6:30am. It is way too windy for a flight
today.
There will be an entry from Joe posted to the FJ later
today, as well as those pictures for the photo journal
that we have been promising.
Stopover Trivia – LaSalle County, IL (by VN (Vi) White)
A scenic feature of La Salle County is Starved Rock
State Park. Atypical of Illinois topography, the
beautiful wooded park includes 18 glacier-carved canyons
with several scenic waterfalls. A 125-foot sandstone
butte overlooking the Illinois River was an ideal spot
for a fort. It is where French explorers La Salle and
Tonti built Fort St. Louis in 1682-1683. Abandoned in
1702, the fort was destroyed by fire in 1720.
The subject of a LaSalle County legend, Starved Rock
takes its name from a story of starving Illiniwek
Indians. In the 1760s they fled to the top of the butte
on the Illinois River to escape a band of Potawatomi
seeking to avenge the death of Ottawa Chief Pontiac.
Ottawa Indians joined them in a siege of the Illiniwek
until they starved to death.
|
| Date: |
October 30th, 2006 - Entry 3 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 26 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action -
USA |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Craniac Kids Take Action - Canada |
| Subject: |
Kids and Teachers 'Rock'! |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
Now
there are even more Craniac Kids In Action!!
Joining the kids at Louisville Kentucky's John F.
Kennedy Montessori School in writing to ExxonMobil is a
class from the Harriett Todd Public School in Orillia,
Ontario (about 1.5 hours north of OM’s main office).
Their teacher, Margaret Black also sent us copies of her
students letters as well as some photos and we posted
them to a special website page as we did for their US
counterparts. (Click the link above)
What's more, Eleanor Morse, a teacher from Houston,
Texas is now in touch with Louisville's Lori Trout and
Orillia's Margaret Black. There's talk of the kids
becoming penpals. Don't you just love it when an idea
catches on? It's like it takes on a life of its own!
Thanks and kudos to the kids for their interest,
support, and all their work writing the letters. Our
sincere gratitude also goes to the teachers who are
shaping the minds of those into whose hands we will be
turning over the future of our wildlife, our environment
- our world. If Lori, Margaret and Eleanor are the
standard, we 'old folk' don't have a darn thing to worry
about.
|
| Date: |
October 30th, 2006 - Entry 2 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 26 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action -
USA |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Craniac Kids Take Action - Canada |
| Subject: |
Mortality |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
We
were advised this afternoon that the remains of yearling
male 522 were found in Mason County, Michigan this past
Saturday. The remains, consisting of disarticulated
bones, some feathers, and a pile of gastroliths,* were
overgrown by marsh vegetation, and indications were that
he had been dead 2 to 4 months. Intern Tally Love
pinpointed location of the transmitter during aerial
radio tracking October 25th.
After being flushed June 14 during reconnaissance by the
Tracking/Monitoring Team in preparation for a retrieval
attempt, 522 was last seen heading for Oceana County, MI
with a flock of about 30 Sandhills. He was not tracked
further.
Thanks go to Windway Capital Corporation and pilots Adam
Heronymus and Charles Koehler for aircraft support.
*Gastroliths, (or 'stomach stones' or 'gizzard
stones') are stones or rocks which have been held inside
the digestive tract of an animal. Gastroliths are common
among herbivorous birds.
|
| Date: |
October 30th, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 26 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
| Subject: |
No Fly Day |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
To much wind and from the wrong
direction will keep the team on the ground today. Check
back later for a further entry and for photos we hope to
get processed and posted to the Photo Journal.
(To OM Members receiving our EarlyBird e-bulletin:
Hopefully problems with our bulk email service will be
resolved today and EarlyBird will appear in your inbox
as usual tomorrow.)
Stopover Trivia – LaSalle County, IL (by VN (Vi) White)
Robert de la Salle, a French explorer, fur trader and fort
builder is the person for whom La Salle County was
named. Most of his exploration was done by boat,
searching for the illusionary western passage to China.
|
| Date: |
October 29th, 2006 - Entry 4 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Chris Gullikson |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
LaSalle County, IL |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 25 - 62.7 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
| Subject: |
Recounting the Day |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
After being grounded for the past 5
days, we were all anxious to get moving, including the
birds. I had missed my turn to lead the last flight due
to an engine issue, (see note at end) but with my
engine replaced, I was looking forward to flying the
lead position on this beautiful cold and clear morning.
Having our trikes inside a hangar is a wonderful luxury
that allows us to push out at sunrise without having to
deal with frost on the wings. Joe was the first airborne
and we were encouraged to hear him say it was fairly
smooth with a 10mph tailwind.
After we were all aloft and in position, I landed at the
pen and motioned for Laurie, and Marie to open the pen
panels and release the birds. The pen was down a shallow
incline with a narrow path cut through the tall grass
and a good 200 feet away from me. The birds were
initially slow coming out of the pen but they quickly
got the idea when Laurie and Marie began to run up the
hill towards me.
18 birds on the wing charging towards me was my cue to
get going, so I powered up and quickly got into ground
effect, staying just ahead of the lead birds. I flew
down the runway towards the hangars where our hosts and
a couple of friends were hiding. I angled off to the
right and out over the road. 9 birds had formed up
nicely on my wing, while 9 others were further back and
trying hard to catch up.
Joe was in first chase position and radioed me to turn a
bit to the right of course so that he could move in and
pick up the 9 that had formed a gap between my 9 birds.
As we cleared the road and slowly climbed out of the
shallow river valley, I looked over at the lead bird
flying on my right wing. I was amazed to see this bird
had BOTH legs tucked up into its body feathers to keep
them warm. This was the first time I had gotten to see
this firsthand and it looked pretty silly. I wish I
could have gotten my camera out to get a photo.
With Richard flying chase for Joe and Brooke falling in
behind me, we all began a slow climb into the glass
smooth air, ultimately topping out at 2000 feet above
the ground. 608 lost the draft of my wing within a few
miles of our departure and slowly lost altitude below
me. Brooke was able to pick her up, and within 15
minutes she was back up to altitude with the rest of us.
It is a pleasure flying birds using our new topless
wings. The lack of top wires allows us to let the lead
birds fly over us if they want to, while still keeping
the birds further back in line from falling back too
far. I have found that there are some birds who want to
surf the leading edge of the wing - which is a beautiful
sight to the pilot - but its also a bit of a pain
because the birds presence along the leading edge causes
the wing to buffet and do a gentle stall. 609 did this
to me a few times during this flight, and Joe was having
the same experience with 610.
For the most part it was a very uneventful flight,
Richard was almost able to get in a few zzz's (which
appealed to me considering we were out a bit late the
night before at a local Halloween party – and yes, we
wore our costumes)
At one point during the flight, all 8 of my birds
suddenly dropped below me and began looking skyward as
if there was something over the top of us. I could see
Don and Paula way off to the east so I knew it wasn’t
them that had spooked the birds. As I descended to
gather the birds back onto my wing, Joe comes over the
radio and announces that his birds had done the exact
same thing. We are mystified as to what it could have
been, but the birds obviously saw something they did not
like.
7 miles out we began a very gradual decent from 2000
feet. At this point, as they can just about glide all
the way from that distance, we knew that we would make
it with all the birds. Brooke landed with 608 followed
by Joe with his 9 and finally me with my 8 birds.
For some reason, today was the easiest experience we
have had putting birds into the pen. Usually we need to
coax them, using treats and gentle nudges. Today they
just walked down the mowed path and walked right into
the pen by themselves in a neat and orderly fashion.
They must have been looking forward to the food and
water after the long 60 mile flight.
As I am writing this, we are driving back from setting
up the pen at our next stopover location, and I think
Richard is trying to make me carsick with his crazy
driving. Laurie is on the phone with Robert Doyle
sorting out our remaining crane food resources; Charlie
is navigating Richard around the road construction that
we are encountering; and Marie keeps looking over at my
laptop and nudging me in the ribs to hurry up. As soon
as we get into the next big town, we will find a WIFI to
connect to the internet and get this update sent out to
Liz, who never stops working, and is patiently waiting
for me to get this finished so she can post it.
We are all looking forward to getting back to camp where
I hear there will be a great dinner awaiting us. It
looks like we will be down tomorrow with strong winds
out of the south. Tuesday looks a bit better though with
the winds going the in right direction - although they
may be too strong for us to fly.
(Photos will be posted to the photo journal later
tonight or tomorrow.)
Note: On hearing of our engine woes, a long time
supporter stepped forward to help out. Thanks to this
wonderful and generous supporter, (who wishes to remain
anonymous) two of our aircraft will have new engines and
the cost of Joe and Brooke's rebuilds is covered.
Heartfelt thanks from the whole OM Team.
|
| Date: |
October 29th, 2006 - Entry 4 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 25 - 62.7 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
193.8 miles |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
| Subject: |
Landed in LaSalle |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
All 18 birds came out of the pen
just fine this morning, and with Chris in the lead, all
were in the air in no time. About a mile out nine birds
had gotten low and away from his trike, so Joe moved in
to pick them up. This left Richard and Brooke in chase
position.
After a slow climb they eventually reached a ground
speed of 50mph thanks to an initial 14mph tailwind that
eventually dropped off to 5mph. At around 20 miles and
1600 feet up, one bird dropped off Chris's wing and was
picked up by Brooke. The 62.7 mile flight took one hour
and twenty-one minutes.
Meanwhile, back at Stopover #5 in Winnebago County, the
ground crew was struggling to free the aircraft trailer
from the mud it had settled into. It finally took our
host's help with his backhoe to free the trailer so the
crew could get on their way. They are now racing to
catch up with the airborne part of the OM Team.
There will be a further report later - likely from
Chris.
|
| Date: |
October 29th, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 25 - ? Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
? miles |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
| Subject: |
Possibility of Flying |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
The temperature in Winnebago County
this morning is 25o. The skies are clear, and
the winds (out of the WNW) are tolerable -at ground
level at least. 2mph with gusts to 5mph. The team is
putting a trike up to check out the conditions. More
news as it comes to us.
There will be no EarlyBird e-bulletin again this
morning. We cannot resolve the problem we are having
until our bulk email delivery service people return to
work at 9am Monday morning. The next EarlyBird email
notice will likely be Tuesday. In the interim we will
post to the FJ as quickly as possible.
|
| Date: |
October 28th, 2006 - Entry 3 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Joe Duff |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Winnegabo County |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 24 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
Watch OM on National Geographic's Wild
Chronicles video |
| Subject: |
Supporters Extraordinare |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
Our annual migration would not be
possible without the support and generosity of our
stopover hosts. On the migration we are reasonably
self-contained; we have all the supplies we need,
including fuel and food, and each of us has a place to
sleep even if it is on a fold down dinning table.
But sitting in a motor home while it pours rain for days
at a time with no place to shower, or to spread out
wears thin very quickly. We can unhook the two OM trucks
from the trailers, and we have the Wisconsin DNR
tracking van, but that is only three vehicles for eleven
people so everything is done in groups.
Fortunately, our hosts along the way take pity on us and
open their homes to the whole team. We arrive, en masse,
at some ridiculously early hour and fill their yard with
trucks and mobile homes until it looks like a trailer
park. We make use of every available electrical outlet,
and restrict the use of an isolated area of their
property so the birds can remain undisturbed. We set up
meetings with media, use their water supply, and tie
down aircraft anywhere we can find shelter. On top of
all of this we can’t predict when we will be on our way
again and leave them in peace.
Despite the burden we place on our stopover hosts, they
are generous to a fault, and they make our journey
bearable. You can’t imagine what the pressure, the
frustration, the tight quarters and long days of boredom
would do to the resolve of the crew if not for the
support of the land owners along the way.
Our current hosts have invited into their home for
showers, internet connections, big screen movies, and
dinner every night. They arranged for an Operation
Migration PowerPoint presentation at the Burpee Museum
in Rockford, and as a result, we raised almost $2,000.
We would love to be on our way, but in the mean time our
birds are secluded and safe, our aircraft are safely
stowed in a heated hangar, and we can spread out a
little.
Frost is a reoccurring problem that we face all the way
to Florida. It delays our take off until the sun comes
up and heats the upper surface of the wings enough to
melt it away. The golden hour of calm air in the morning
is short lived, and it is frustrating to waste most of
it scraping frost. We tried covering the wings with
surplus parachutes but they weren’t waterproof. We just
ended up with frosty wings and yards of wet fabric.
We have tried removing the wings, putting them flat on
the ground and covering them with tarps, but the
moisture in the grass just freezes everything together.
Frost most often develops just before sunrise and
continues to build until the air starts to warm up.
At some locations we are able to remove the wings and
store them inside overnight. But then it takes time to
carry them out and get the aircraft ready to fly.
Sometimes, even in that short space of time, the frost
forms on the wings and we are back to waiting for warm
air.
We have tried propylene glycol, and warm water from a
garden hose. We have tried rubbing and scrapping and
cursing, but patience, despite the accompanying
frustration, seems to be the only cure.
The new wings are much safer for birds, and because of
the lack of upper flying wires, they are also easier to
cover. And although wrapping fabric around the 35 foot
wingspan of four aircraft is not an easy job, we finally
decided that it is the only solution.
Our hope is that we can cover the wings, both top and
bottom, while they are still on the aircraft. This way
we can prepare to fly, and even start the engine before
separating the Velcro and slipping the covers off the
ends of the wings. Thereafter we simply jump in, belt up
and take off before the frost has a chance to form. At
least that's the theory.
Our current stopover host directed us to a tent and
awning manufacturer yesterday where we bought 40 yards
of nylon, 50 yards of Velcro, and a cheap sewing
machine. In his hangar we dropped one of the wings to
lay out a pattern and began to cut.
There was our host, down on his knees with a pair of
scissors; next he was helping to feed yards of fabric
through the overworked sewing machine. It is this kind
of support, commitment, and enthusiasm that makes this
migration work. And because we must keep the birds
isolated and guard our hosts' privacy, we can't even
mention the names of these terrific people and give
credit where credit is due.
Our stopover hosts are true unsung heroes. They are our
Whooping cranes' best friends, and it is our very good
fortune to have them as our friends too.
|
| Date: |
October 28th, 2006 - Entry 2 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Brooke Pennypacker |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Winnegabo County |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 24 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
Rainy Day Ruminations |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
By far the most difficult thing
about flying with birds is, NOT flying with birds. I
know, sounds little Zen doesn't it? Maybe I watched one
too many episodes of 'Kung Fu' as a kid. "Yes,
Grasshopper. The secret of the universe lies in the
sound of one hand clapping." In our case I guess it
would be, 'one wing flapping'. But it's true never the
less. Wind and rain conspire to ground us yet again, and
here we sit, all dressed up with no place to go.
The wait is made more frustrating by the memory of our
last flight; the thrill of hanging 1800 feet in the cold
clear air, a dozen birds powering purposefully, with the
precise, predictable 90 degree shapes of Illinois
farmscapes below us.
The memory has a resonance that lingers long after the
flight. At night it crowds out sleep and supercharges
the morning's wakefulness. It is at once exciting and
sublime; magical and mesmerizing; and there is great
peace in it. But there is frustration too. Like now,
sitting listening to the rain pound on the trailer roof.
Yet, if I could just force myself to listen, the message
it taps out is a simple one....."Patience, Grasshopper.
Patience."
|
| Date: |
October 28th, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 24 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
Going Nowhere |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
1) The
wind and the rain that is falling in Winnebago County
means another day will be spent on the ground.
2) Apologies to the recipients of our daily EarlyBird
e-bulletin. Some crossed communication wires between the
team and us was the first problem this morning, followed
by difficulties with our bulk email delivery service.
Hope we can figure it out before tomorrow morning
without their assistance because apparently they don't
work weekends.
|
| Date: |
October 27th, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 23 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
No air time again today |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
No planes and cranes in the air
today. Joe reported a low ceiling and winds out of the
east are making it impossible to take off this morning.
Check the field journal later for a posting we expect to
receive from Brooke as well as some other news.
Stopover Trivia – Winnebago County, IL (by VN (Vi) White)
The northern boundary of Winnebago County is the
Wisconsin-Illinois state line. While the eastern half is
more urbanized and leans toward the industrial, some of
the richest farmland in the world is found in the rural
western half of the county.
Rockford, the seat of Winnebago County, was first
settled about 1834 at a spot in the Rock River, which
could easily be forded. Now the population is about
150,000. Originally chartered as Rockford Female
Seminary in 1847, Rockford College, one of its best
known graduates is Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Jane
Addams.
|
| Date: |
October 26th, 2006 - Entry 3 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Laurie Lin |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Winnebago County, IL |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 22 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
View from the Ground |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
“Come in anytime, the house is yours,”
the host of the current stop told me after I asked if I
might go into the house to use their internet system.
Although I had been told how nice the landowners along the
migration would be, their kindness and generosity is still
unbelievable touching.
The forecast said we would get about half an inch of rain
today. Bev and I went to check the chicks early in the
morning before it moved into the area. Bev walked carefully
because she was carrying a pumpkin about the size of 2
basketballs in her arms. Though I offered to take a turn
carrying it, she told me it wasn't really heavy, but that it
was quite soft inside. She was trying not to squeeze it and
get pumpkin all over her costume. We both laughingly agreed
that if that happened, she had better stay away from the
pen.
607 was a bit grumpy toward the costume. He surprised me by
aggressively pecking at the puppet head just when I stepped
in the pen. The next second 606 moved up to 607 and pecked
him once. It seemed like 606 was telling 607 to 'chill out'
or back off. Later on, 607 performed jump rack behavior
toward the costume. We will keep an eye on him to see if he
needs special care or attention. The medication seems to be
doing the trick for 608 and she is coming along just fine.
Hide and Seek
The migration leg we did on October 24th from the 4th to the
5th Stopover was the best we have had so far. No birds
dropped out, or returned, or got crated. 618 finally decided
to fly alongside the lead pilot all the way. Even with her
recovering right eye, 608 also made it. We were relieved.
'No news is good news' applies to the ground crew’s feelings
after we release the chicks. After the departure from
Necedah, 604 flew back to the pen before reuniting with the
other chicks by following her private aircraft. It was a new
record - all chicks flew to the first stop. The credit goes
to the strategy of cutting down the distance on the first
leg.
When we left Stopover #1, 618 dropped out only a few miles
away from the departure pen. Then when we left Stopover #2,
618 and 606 returned to the pen. But it wasn't until the leg
between the third and fourth stops on October 23rd that our
tracking training was put to the test. Here are some of the
exciting elements of our 'lost and found' activities.
We were very fortunate to have ICF's Sara Zimorski, an
experienced crane handler/tracker to help us when we tracked
and retrieved 6 chicks in the field. News about 606, 608,
615 and 618 landing in the field came through the radio
shortly after departure. With the exact location of these
chicks provided by our top cover pilots, Don and Paula, Bev
and Sara went to them immediately to secure their safety.
Marie and I stood by at the pen just in case any chicks
returned. Then we went to assist Bev and Sara to transport
the 4 chicks back to the pen. At that moment, we received
the GPS coordinates for 602 and the rough location of
another bird, number unknown.
While we were getting the first 4 chicks back to the pen,
the 'location and number unknown' chick magically flew back
to the pen by herself. It was 605 - what a smart girl she
is. Indeed, Gerald spotted the chick in the sky and rushed
to inform handlers near the pen. Her self-homing behavior
allowed us to focus on searching for 602. (Remember little
602? She was one of two eggs laid in the wild but hatched in
captivity.)
We finally found 602 about 3 miles from her last reported
location. The owner of the corn field she was in spotted her
when his dog's barking got his attention. He told us that
the bird then hid in the field. A corn field may a great
place for playing hide and seek- but not now. 602 obviously
got startled by the barking dog and people who looked like,
well – people.
Marie and Bev walked into the field and started a search
pattern at one end, while Sara and I walked along the edge
using a tracking device and vocalizer to send out brood
calls. Eventually we spotted 602 at the far end of the
field. She was struggling her way out and moving toward us
in a hurry. It was a long walk to the crate but she followed
us very closely and we were relieved that her adventure was
over.
That night, were stories about scary humans, barking dogs,
and dark boxes (crates) shared among all chicks by the
naughty ones? I hope so, and then all these chicks will
learn to follow their flying daddies all the way to their
personal Disneyland in Florida.
|
| Date: |
October 26th, 2006 - Entry 2 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
|
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
|
| Subject: |
50% of the way there |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
644 MileMaker miles
had been sponsored by this date in October of 2005.
Today, the halfway mark was passed. You great people
have now sponsored 619 of the 1228 migration miles.
With 609 miles as yet unsponsored we are a long way from
being out of the woods - but we are still optimistic. We
know that you folks have never let the Whooping cranes down
yet.
|
| Date: |
October 25th, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 21 - 0 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
Headwinds |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
It's a heartbreaker. Beautiful day with
clear skies and calm air on the ground. The trikes spent the
night in a hangar, so not even any frost to hold things up
this morning. However, when Joe when up to check things out
he found himself fighting a 12 to 14mph headwind.
Translated, that would allow only about 20mph of ground
speed and give the birds about 2 3/4 hours of flying time to
the next Stopover. That's beyond their current capacity.
The beautiful sun shining day also meant that there was no
point waiting for a wind change. With the sun warming things
up it would only be a short while before the resulting air
thermals would produce dirty air.
|
| Date: |
October 24th, 2006 - Entry 3 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Brooke Pennypacker |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Winnebago, IL |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 20 - 36.9 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
|
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
Frost this morning. Lots of frost. But
it was otherwise a beautiful calm and clear and cold
morning. After yesterday’s ordeal, just what the doctor
ordered. I guess we were due. We de-iced our wings, said
goodbye to our wonderful hosts, and launched.
It was Chris's turn to lead, but it soon became apparent he
was having trouble. His engine decided it was not interested
in migrating birds today and was taking the day off - which
is OK for engines to do, as long as they are not in the air
when they make that decision. In the old days, things were
different and they gave you notice. Not engines today. No
respect! Chris radioed he was grounded but we didn’t hear
his call because his radio also decided to take the day off
also. Engine and radio! Outright desertion!
With Chris out of the line up it became my turn to lead.
(Hey wait a minute! Wasn't my last update about 'Leading'?)
I landed on the hillside next to the pen; Richard and Joe
landed somewhere else and we let the wings thaw in the sun
for 20 minutes.
This added a great deal of stress because I had to stand
next to the trike looking wimpy while Bev, Marie, and Laurie
along with 18 anxious birds glared at me wondering why I was
waiting so long to launch - and why OM didn't just hire a
pilot with the Right Stuff to begin with! By the time
I decided to launch, the girls had to lift me up into the
seat! Then they expertly threw open the pen doors and it was
Showtime!
Not wanting to single Chris out for abuse, Fate decided to
thrill the rest of us with a higher than usual stall speed
due to the frost. Not a problem usually, but when flying
birds low and slow, it is something that increases the
'pucker factor'.
Off the hill we went and down into the valley below. As we
turned up the valley, most of the birds, free of their
confinement and anxious to make up for yesterday, formed up
on the wing; 12 in total. The others were picked up by
Richard and Joe, each took three.
For the rest of the flight, all I had to do was remain
seated as the birds worked their magic over the Wisconsin,
and then the Illinois countryside. I can't believe I am
getting paid for doing this, even if it is only in chilli-dogs
and warm beer. How lucky can a guy get!
All three trikes and 18 birds landed within minutes of each
other. The sight of those birds strutting their stuff at the
end of the runway put big smiles on our costumed faces. Now
THIS is what migration is supposed to be like!
|
| Date: |
October 24th, 2006 - Entry 2 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 20 - 36.9 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
White Bird update & DAR 06 |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
The report received today from the
Tracking and Monitoring team held no surprises and showed
little change in the locations of the White Birds. Of note
is that DAR 627 and 632 were released on the Necedah refuge
on the 20th. They have been spotted associating with 311 and
301*. DAR 626 and 628 were released the following evening
and have been associating with 510* and 511 as well as 307,
512, and 519.
The photos below were sent to us by Richard Urbanek
View the photos that go along with this entry here in the 2006 Migration Photo Journal.
|
| Date: |
October 24th, 2006 - Entry 2 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 20 - 36.9 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
Reflections from the
Landowner Hosts at
Stopover #3 |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
We woke up this morning to peace and
quiet - and a huge void. There were no early morning coffee
drinkers, no weather checks, no trailers in our farmyard, no
three meals to share today. We imagine our friends and
colleagues going through a similar morning ritual at
Stopover #4, as all landowner hosts are joined in spirit
through this migration experience.
We salute the pilots and crew of Operation Migration who
were part of our family this past 8 days. There were many
wonderful moments and varied experiences we had over those
days, but we will most remember one vivid scene - our four
steady and determined pilots in their buzzing aircrafts
facing off with 18 birds, elegant avian streaks in the early
snow-laden light - cranes who simply didn’t want to leave.
As the birds left the pen yesterday, our pilots buzzed
through the sky circling.....dipping in hair-raising
maneuvers time and time again to coax the birds to ascend,
to take to their wing, to head south.
Our pilots simply wouldn't give up. They kept going back for
the birds. Back for the one just dropped off. Back for the
one off to their left wing that was descending again. Back
for the one that went down in the field on the bluff. Our
pilots weren’t going to give up! Most people would have
given up. It was tough going, but the unruffled men of OM
kept on relentlessly. We were in awe. Our men in flapping
white costumes must be cut from some kind of kryptonite.
They were going to make this migration happen out of sheer
will, not to mention astonishing flying skills.
We were blown away witnessing yesterday's departure.
However, almost every other morning we had been surrounded
by so many other supporters and fans who have given
generously to this effort. So, we also salute all of our
friends and fellow crane supporters who tirelessly arrived
early morning after early morning to watch in awe the
departure which never happened. But they always left knowing
this skilled team will deliver these magnificent birds to
Florida.
Make no mistake, the dauntless crew of Operation Migration
WILL guide this year's Whoopers safely to Florida where they
will join the never-ending cycle of renewal in nature's
grand plan.
|
| Date: |
October 24th, 2006 - Entry 1 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 20 - 36.9 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
131.1 miles |
| Subject: |
Today is a sharp contrast to yesterday |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
Today we finally said goodbye to
Wisconsin and crossed into Illinois. The ultralights are
down and all the birds are safely in the pen at Stopover #5
in Winnebago County. All the chicks flew beautifully. Brooke
had 12, and Richard and Joe 3 each. No one dropped out and
Charlie commented that everything went so well, "It was
almost boring." (Bite your tongue Charlie!)
With the temperature at 26F degrees there was frost on the
wings this morning, but once that was cleared off, it was a
great fly day. The 36.9 mile, 54 minute flight was made in
clear skies with a 6 to 8 knot tailwind.
That's the good news. The bad news is that Chris's engine is
done in. He and Bev have gone off to see if they can find
someone nearby with the ability to rebuild it - and quickly.
|
| Date: |
October 23rd, 2006 - Entry 4 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Joe Duff |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Green County, WI |
Migration Progress & Comparison Graph |
| Distance Traveled |
Migration Day 19 - 48.7 Miles |
Craniac
Kids Take Action |
| Accumulated Distance |
94.2 miles |
| Subject: |
48.7 miles WERE
NOT in a straight line! |
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please click here to become a MileMaker and help us get the 2006
chicks to Florida. |
Note: Correction from last entry. Don and Paula's
problem with their aircraft's fuel bladder came at the end
of the day. Liz
Cranes are
creatures of habit. I am sure they woke in the morning
expecting to spend the day foraging in the muck just like
they have spent the last week - until they heard the sound
of our engines. Maybe they were content in their pen and
familiar with their surroundings and the sound invoked
annoyance instead of the usual excitement. Maybe when the
gates were opened they were not all that crazy about
following Richard’s aircraft into the cold bleak sky. That
would explain why so few of them wanted to participate.
There is a makeshift runway cut into a pasture next to the
pen to allow us to launch the birds directly from the
enclosure. Richard took off to the west, and although the
birds appeared to make an effort to follow, the line was
strung out for at least a ¼ mile, and several birds simply
landed.
We circled, corralled, and intercepted, but there were too
many to gather so Richard landed with a few birds on the
main runway a hundred yards to the west, and waited of the
rest to join him. We radioed the ground crew to don their
swamp monster costumes to flush the birds that had landed
next to the pen. Eventually they too joined Richard on the
big runway. With all the birds away from the pen and
concentrating more on the aircraft, they all took off and we
headed for the ridge.
This 800 foot obstacle is only a few miles to the south and
forces the birds to climb hard to clear it. Half way up they
began to break off and Richard had to turn parallel to the
ridge to collect the drop outs. When they all formed on his
wing he would try again, but soon his long line of bird had
dwindled to only few.
Four broke off and I chased them, but before I could catch
up, they landed in a field. I circled and called the ground
crew but they were too busy dealing with the birds that were
now returning to the pen. Our top cover pilots Don and Paula
Lounsbury were soon on station and able to watch the birds
while I headed east to find Richard.
Meanwhile Brooke was collecting a few more, while Chris was
still on the ground draining his fuel. Apparently over the
last few days of rain, some of the moisture collected in a
fuel tank and his engine refused to start. He had to empty
the tank, flush the carburetors and replace the fuel filter
before he could join us.
I found Richard farther to the east still struggling to
clear the ridge. He was down in a valley and suffering the
abusive winds that were rolling over the top. After a few
more circles he finally had enough altitude to turn on
course. Unfortunately three birds could not keep up and I
tried to collect them.
Richard headed south while the three birds and I made it to
the crest of the ridge. They were spread out so far that I
could not collect them all, so I decided to land and gather
them together. The field I chose was covered with 10 inch
high grass matted in wet snow. It was smooth enough, but I
had to use full power just to taxi the trike. I sat for 15
minutes to let the birds catch their breath when I saw
Brooke fly right over head with 7 birds on his wing.
Richard was a few miles ahead with 4 birds and Brooke was on
course with seven. I had three but was still stuck in the
field. Don and Paula were circling 4 others, and Chris was
still cleaning his fuel system.
When all my birds appeared to have recovered I took off to
the east and circled back to let them catch me. Number 604
and 619 each found a wingtip and climbed with me, but number
602 was unwilling or unable to follow and landed back in the
field.
I headed on course and radioed GPS coordinates to Don and
Paula - who relayed them to Chris, who, after a champion
effort, was back in the air. With only two birds I was able
to climb steadily and eventually reached 2500 feet.
Richard was up at 1500 feet, but Brooke was struggling to
get his birds above a few hundred. At 2500 feet, I had
picked up a good tailwind and was covering ground at 50 to
55 miles per hour. Meanwhile Chris had given up trying to
encourage 602 into the air and instead landed next to him.
He tried to get the bird to follow him but eventually had to
abandon it to the ground crew who would load it into a crate
and drive it to the next stop.
Now free of 602, Chris headed on course and Dona and Paula
went looking for Brooke. They found him sitting in a field
with all 7 birds ten miles from our destination. I flew high
overhead while Richard was almost at the pen site. A mile
from Stopover #4, one of his birds decided to land on its
own, so Richard landed with the other 3 and walked them into
the pen. Then he headed back to collect the errant 611.
I circled down from 2000 feet
as I approached the pen site,
while 19 miles out, Brooke was again forced to land. Each
time he landed to let the birds rest, he lost more on the
take-off and Chris would try to collect them.
Richard flew to where we keep the aircraft and tied them
down against increasing winds. Then we recruited our
landowner host to drive us north. We were headed for the
last known coordinates of one of Brooke's drop outs, 614,
when we saw him (Brooke) flying over head. He was on his way
to the destination with 4 birds in tow.
Eventually Richard, our landowner and I rendezvoused with
Charlie Shafer who was driving the Wisconsin DNR van and
tracking birds with the large antenna sticking out the roof.
We were able to locate 620 and loaded him into a crate. He
joined 623 who was already riding in the back of the van.
The crated birds were approaching their limits of
confinement so we headed back to our destination. Once these
two birds were safely in the pen, Richard and Charlie headed
north to try and find 614 while Brooke, Chris and I headed
south to Stopover #5 to set up the pen.
During all of this effort the rest of the ground crew back
at our last location were collecting birds that never really
got started. They crated them and returned them to the pen.
Eventually 6 birds were crated and loaded into our small
motorhome and Marie Brady drove it south. That meant the
crew was now able to disassemble the pen and prepare the
camp to move south.
Unfortunately our trailers and motorhome had been sitting in
wet soggy grass for the last week and several were stuck.
This added insult to an already very long day. Eventually
Charlie and Richard found number 614 and delivered him to
the pen.
By 6:30pm or so, all the bird were finally at the new site.
It was a very long day for all of us, and a very testing one
for some of our inexperienced crew. Quite a day. But in the
end, all the birds were safe; all the crew uninjured; and
all of the vehicles are reusable. Now, on to the next
challenge.
|
| Date: |
October 23rd, 2006 - Entry 3 |
Links |
| Reporter: |
Liz Condie |
2006 Migration Map |
| Location: |
Main Office / Green | |
