Much colder this morning with westerly winds bringing the temperature to 29F
with the wind chill. Winds aloft are almost the same -WSW and gusty.
Between the less than favorable winds, patchy fog, and high humidity (92%)
that can make it difficult for the birds to breathe in flight, we did not
have optimum conditions, but the pilots put up a test trike - twice in fact,
just in case a flight was possible.
Foggy conditions at departure site and
the landowner reporting fog at the arrival site, plus the fear of having to
land out somewhere on the first day of deer gun season, helped make the
decision not to make the attempt an easy one.
Date:
November 19, 2009- Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
According to our weather guru, Chris Gullikson, Friday, that is tomorrow, is
a possibility for a flight. Winds are predicted to be out of he southwest on
the surface, but light, and aloft, 10 out of the west. Not optimum, but at
least a 'maybe'. There will likely also be fog so any launch could be
delayed. See the entry below for the departure viewing location if you'd
like to make the trip in hopeful anticipation of seeing the Class of 2009.
Date:
November 19, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
DEPARTURE
FLYOVER LOCATION FOR LASALLE CO.
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
The viewing location for the LaSalle County flyover will be on the east side
of the town of Sheridan, IL at the junction of East Pleasant Street and
County Hwy 32 / Main Street / N41st Road. As a landmark, across the street
at the top of the ‘T’ where East Pleasant meets County Hwy 32 / Main Street
/ N41st Road is Sheridan Cemetery. Use this link to see the location on
Google Maps.
As usual, we will try to give you a heads up as to what
we think our chances of flying are via a posting here in the Field Journal
the afternoon/evening before. Viewers will want to be in place by 6:50 to
7:00am CST and remember, dress for the weather.
Date:
November 19, 2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration
Day 35 = Down Day #4
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
Little has changed on the weather front so the cranes and planes will not be
moving and inch today.
While marginally, we are still ahead of the game in terms of keeping pace
with last year's migration progress. On this date in 2008 it was Down Day #1
for us in LaSalle County, and we were able to fly two days later on November
21st. On that day we had great flying conditions and were able to skip the
next stopover in Livingston County, logging 114 miles to reach Piatt County.
David and Linda have taken advantage of the downtime to make a fast trip
to Milwaukee to visit family, while Joe, Heather and I made the 12 hour
drive to our homes. We all expect to be back 'on station' soon.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen LASALLE COUNTY Several famous citizens hailed from LaSalle County. Helen Hokinson,
born and raised in Mendota, was a cartoonist for the New Yorker magazine
from 1925 until her death in 1949. Star Minnesota Vikings running back Bill
Brown was born and raised there.
Streator boasts of citizen Clarence E. Mulford, writer of the Hopalong
Cassidy series. Hopalong Cassidy River Trail winds along the banks of the
Vermillion River past his boyhood home. Three other notable natives of
Streator are George "Honeyboy" Evans, the composer of "The Good Old
Summertime"; astronomer Clyde Tombaugh who, at the age of 24, discovered the
"dwarf-planet" Pluto, and last but not least, the legendary Wild Bill Hickok,
born in Troy Grove.
Date:
November 18,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
Betting person or not, I wouldn't be afraid to gamble a more than a few
dollars about our chances of flying tomorrow. If the winds out of the south
weren't discouraging enough, the rain that isn't expected to let up until
tomorrow evening, certainly is. A flight on Thursday does not appear to be
in the cards. What's that Kenny Rogers song? "You gotta know when to hold 'em
and know when to fold 'em."
(Departure flyover viewing information for
LaSalle County will be posted here tomorrow.)
Date:
November 18, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
EASTERN
MIGRATORY POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
With the release of the nine 2009 Direct Autumn Release birds on the
Necedah, NWR, the size of the Eastern Migratory Population is estimated at
86 birds; 48 males and 38 females. In this update, * = females; D = direct
autumn release birds.
As of November 14th, there were 53 Whooping cranes in Wisconsin’s core
reintroduction area which number includes birds that have not been detected
since mid summer. Fifteen were at other locations in Wisconsin; two in Lower
Michigan (D737, D533*); two in Minnesota (707, D739*); three each in
Illinois and Indiana; one in Tennessee; five whose locations are unknown;
and two which have not been found in 2009.
2009 Autumn Migration Record
bird #
began
last known location
date
completed
313* & 318
Nov 2-3
Greene Co. IN
Nov 12
415* & 505
Oct 28
307
Nov 3
Jasper Co. IN / possibly
in Meigs Co. TN
Nov 5/9
D831, D836, D838
Nov 10-11
Peoria Co. IL
Nov 15
303* & 317
Nov 15
401 & 508*
Winnebago Co. IL
Nov 16
212 & 419*
813*
829
Winnebago Co. IL
Nov 16
514
Winnebago Co. IL
Nov 16
712
Winnebago Co. IL
Nov 16
Long Term Missing (more than 90 days)
D744* last detected Nov 2008
516 last detected Dec 2008
706 last detected May 6
511 last recorded May 11
D628 last detected June 23
724 last detected June 26
During this report period 312*, 506, 519*, and 412 were captured for
transmitter replacement.
This update was compiled from date supplied by WCEP’s Tracking Team
consisting of Richard Urbanek, Eva Szyszkoski, Sara Zimorski, Jess Thompson,
J. Longenecker, and K. Wyman.
Date:
November 18,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
COMMUNICATIONS DISRUPTED
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
Apologies for being ‘off the air’ and absent from emails. I had a
computer mishap, the result of which was being first intermittently and then
totally disconnected since shortly after 7:00am on Monday, until this
morning. I hope to rectify the lack of Field Journal entries before the day
is out, as well as to begin catching up on the backlog of emails awaiting my
response. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
THINK YOU SAW A WHOOPING CRANE?
With some of the Whooping cranes in the Eastern Migratory Population having
started their fall migration south, reports of sightings are on the
increase. To the right of this Field Journal under ‘Links’ there is a
graphic that says, “REPORT YOUR SIGHTING HERE”. Should you spot what you
believe to be a Whooping crane(s), please use this link. The information you
provide via this form is automatically transmitted to all WCEP partners and
can be of immense assistance to the Tracking team.
Most commonly mistaken for Whooping cranes are Sandhills and Wood storks.
Can you tell the difference?
Although smaller and grey in color, when backlit by the sun, Sandhills can
appear white and it can be difficult to tell them apart. One clue is their
numbers. If you see a large number of birds, you can almost certainly know
you are not seeing Whooping cranes. Unlike Sandhill cranes, Whoopers do not
flock. They most often travel in small groups of twos and threes, sometimes
as many as 5 to 7, but while not unknown, seldom larger numbers.
A Sandhill Crane is smaller, grey, not white, and it does have a similar
silhouette so that when backlit by the sun, they can be difficult to tell
apart. Due to their similar coloring, Wood storks too are also often
mistaken for Whoopers.
So, if you see a large white bird flying overhead it may be a Whooping
Crane, but then again, maybe not. Check out the neck and the legs. If both
the neck and long legs are extended (out) it could be a Whooping Crane, and
you are super lucky! Other large white birds will appear different in
flight. If the neck is out, but the legs are in (not extended), it could be
a swan, a goose, or a pelican. If the neck is in (short or folded) and the
legs out, it could be an egret or ibis. All you have to remember is that a
Whooper has both ‘outies’.
Date:
November 18, 2009
- Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
RAIN, RAIN & MORE RAIN
Location:
LaSalle Co., IL
This morning brought a temperature of 45F with strong 11 mph northeast wind making it feel 5 degrees cooler. Rain continues to fall and dominate the forecast. Today will be
Down Day #3 in LaSalle County, IL.
Date:
November 17, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
CRANECAM
Location:
Main Office
Occupying the driver’s seat of the new CraneCam has
provided me with a fresh viewpoint into the lives of these incredible birds
we are working to preserve. I’ve been working in proximity to each year’s
cohort since we began in 2001, but never before have I had the privilege of
spending a few hours each and everyday, over the summer months when they
change so quickly, observing them.
One of the things I used to love watching, which really
seems so simple now, is the way they would lay down or ‘hock-sit.’ Each day
after training, and following some food and water, they would each pick a
grassy spot inside the pen, and one-by-one would bend forward, shift their
weight back toward their fluffy butts, and their legs would seemingly
collapse. I don’t know exactly when they stopped hock-sitting, or
having their midday naps. It just occurred to me as I watched them this week
that they don’t do it anymore. A sign of maturity I suppose.
It’s fun watching the social interactions among the
large group of 20. One of the darkest birds, I suspect 927 but can’t tell
for certain, was on a mission a couple mornings ago. On two occasions, both
within the span of a half hour, he approached another crane from behind and
very casually wait till just the right moment. As soon as the other crane
would bend over to peck, poke or prod at something, he would very cautiously
lean toward the target tush and strike! I couldn’t help but chuckle, as he
proceeded to prance oh so proudly away with a tail feather held valiantly in
his beak.
We’re still hearing from some folks that they’re having
difficulty accessing the video stream. It seems the culprit is Internet
Explorer, in particular, version 8. If you are one of the many users whose
browser of choice is Internet Explorer, then you’re very likely using the
latest version, which is #8. I’ve just received some new embed code from the
WildEarth team, which has resolved this issue! Please keep in mind that the
CraneCam will be LIVE each day from 6:30 to 10:00 and then in the afternoon
from 3:30 to 4:30 just before sunset.
And of course the TrikeCam will be LIVE whenever we’re
flying – which we REALLY hope will be VERY soon.
So tune in when you can and perhaps you too can enjoy
watching the Class of 2009 go through their late afternoon routine which
involves several strutting, almost in unison to one end of the pen before
turning around and flying to the opposite end. It’s as if they’re playing
some sort of schoolyard game and if I may, just this once project thoughts
and voices onto them, it’s as if they’d be yelling as they fly last one
to the other side of the pen is a Sandhill!!!
Date:
November 17, 2009
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
GROUNDED
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
Very strong winds will be keeping everyone grounded today in LaSalle Co.,
Illinois. And as if that isn't enough, rain is expected to begin mid-morning and will continue to fall over the next couple of days.
Looks as if we won't be going anywhere for a while.
Date:
November 16,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WHOOP IT
UP CELEBRATION
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
It was great fun with some great friends and Craniacs yesterday
afternoon. We know we didn't have the best signal at all times, but hope
those of you who were able to catch us via the CraneCam enjoyed watching.
One of the things planned to take place during the WHOOP It Up! Celebration last afternoon/evening was the draw to determine the recipient of the special Give a WHOOP! Thank you gift donated for the purpose by the Ruth Irvin family. The gift is a one week stay at Pelicans Beach House in Fort Meyers Beach, FL.
With approximately 3,000 WHOOPS given, we decided to add a bit of excitement and suspense and do a ‘reverse draw.’ Our guests at the event narrowed down the field to 30 people who had WHOOPED. They were:
WHOOP #
Name
WHOOP #
Name
1052
Margurite Mousseau
955
Vicki Hedrick
301
Valerie Gilbert
1417
Nancy Eddy
1950
Patricia Hendrikson
1987
Joy Saunders
1925
Margaret Lunnum
1414
Nancy Eddy
1131
Marilyn Flemming
617
Nancy Bradley
1700
Kirk Drause
153
Betsy Christ,
457
Joni James
16
Karen Richter
2157
Ron Herman
517
Merle Black
27
Teresa Hull
2385
Nancy Miller
496
Peter Braat
1430
Debora Bacigalupo
1133
Herb Ayreo
1492
Mary O’Brien
1732
Christine Barnes
2777
Dennis Allen
1314
Diane Brown
355
Diane Hester
1014
Cynthia Rouch
2269
Robert Henderson
1182
Dale Shriver
1244
Patricia O’Brien-Giglia
By process of elimination, and with the final selection
made by our host Brent Bish, we’re thrilled to announce that the winner of
the one week stay at Pelican’s Beach House is Patricia O’Brien-Giglia, of
Tampa, FL!
Date:
November 16,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 32 = DOWN DAY #1
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
Our camp is virtually surrounded on all sides by fields of corn, and the
sound of the wind rattling the dried stalks vied with the muffled pings of
rain on the roof as my ears seemingly woke first this morning.
During the
couple of dozen steps from the motorhome door to the hangar (where we have
the luxury of 'facilities') it was easy to tell the wind direction it felt
so cold. Despite the rain slowing to a sprinkle, it's no day to be out in,
much less flying.
Today, we won't be adding any miles to our landmark 10,000 in the air
leading Whooping cranes on migration - and perhaps not for a few days if the
weatherman's got it right.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen LASALLE COUNTY located along the Illinois River, the city of Peru
was incorporated in 1851. Its most famous citizen was Maud Powell (1867 -
1920), first woman to achieve international acclaim as a solo violinist.
After making her American debut with the NY Philharmonic Orchestra in 1885,
she toured the US and Europe. In 1904 she recorded on the Red Label for the
Victor Talking Machine Company. She visited every US military camp in WWI
and played for the troops. She survived a heart attack onstage in St. Louis
in 1919, only to succumb to a second attack while warming up for a concert
in Uniontown, PA in 1920.
Date:
November 15,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
OM TEAM
Subject:
TUNE IN
TO THE CRANECAM TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
The OM Team and a few friends will be celebrating - that is - WHOOPING It
Up later this afternoon. We would have liked to have every Craniac
everywhere be able to come to the party, but with Craniacs spread around the
world we knew that wasn't possible.
As the next best thing to being here,
we hope you will join the celebration as we broadcast it live via the
CraneCam. The set up process is happening right now, and provided we can
snag and maintain a signal, we will start broadcasting around 4:00pm CST.
We'd love to hear from you.
If you have a message for us, or a question for any of the crew, email us
at
giveawhoop@operationmigration.org. If time and the opportunity presents,
we'll read a few of the messages live during the broadcast.
Date:
November 15, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
THE
10,000TH MILE IS IMPORTANT BUT...
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
Distance
Traveled:
Winnebago Co. IL to LaSalle Co. IL - 55.0
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
185.4 Miles
All of the pilots take turns flying in the lead position. We have made
three attempts to leave our Winnebago County stopover, so by default it has
been my turn for the last few take-offs. It’s like I get to keep doing it
until I get it right -- and this morning I finally did.
Twenty birds came charging out of the pen when Geoff and Erin opened the
gate. I taxied down the grass runway while they caught the aircraft and then
we all lifted off and turned away from the buildings at the far end. We
slowly started a climb on course then turned a little east to fly over the
spectators gathered a few miles away at our designated flyover viewing site.
After dismantling the instrument panel on my trike yesterday to access
the front wheel for some maintenance, it seems my radio was not working
well. When I called for a radio check on the ground I could hear everyone’s
response, but once I got airborne my communications dropped to almost zero.
I could hear a little of what Chris said, and Lou in the top cover aircraft
when it was close to me, but other than those snippets I was on my own.
I noticed some of the birds separate and start to fall behind so I began
a circle to let them catch up. My lack of a radio added to the confusion,
and as I came around I found myself face to face with Richard who had moved
in to collect them. I turned to avoid a mid air mishap while he turned east
and took 15 birds with him. Five stayed with me.
Once we reached smooth air at 600 feet the birds settled in to cover some
ground. The more altitude we gained the more cross wind we encountered. To
correct for wind from the side you have to turn into it and let the aircraft
'crab'. It feels odd to be flying sideways with the ground passing under you
from a ľ angle, but you get used to it. If you relax your correction the
wind naturally takes you to the west and your speed increases. Then you must
work your way back to the east and suffer a stronger headwind. With each
degree you turn to the right, your time-to-destination on the GPS reads
shorter but with each battle back it increases again.
You would think after leading birds 10,000 miles you would be used to it,
but in fact, each time is like the first. There are some things that you
come to anticipate, but the spectacle never gets tired. Add that to the
concentration it takes to keep them all in line, and there is little time
left to contemplate the achievement.
10,000 miles is a long journey, but most important are the miles we are
flying now. Once the birds are settled and the aircraft secure there will be
time to reflect. Maybe the thoughts will organize in my head and I’ll come
to understand what it all means. And maybe then I’ll be more articulate.
Thanks to Mark Blassage for the photos of this
morning's departure from Winnebago County!!
Date:
November 15, 2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 31 - and WHOOP IT UP EVENT DAY!!
Location:
LaSalle Co. IL
So much for predictions. The 80-20 against us flying flip-flopped by this
morning. We had favorable winds both on the surface and aloft.
Joe was
lead pilot, and the launch with the birds was almost perfect with a blur of
white bursting out of the pen and into the air. The take-off trajectory was
relatively low so we had a good view of the trike and trailing birds. That
view was prolonged when Joe had to do a circuit to get the Class of 2009 to
form up off his wing.
By 8:30 the cranes and planes were safely on the ground in LaSalle
County. More soon, including a couple of photos.
Remember to tune in to the CraneCam around 4:00pm CST today to join in
the Give a WHOOP! / WHOOP It Up celebration.
Joe Duff taking off for the 10,000th mile leg.
Circling around so the birds can form up off the wing.
Date:
November 14, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
What we are looking at is a low pressure over Lake Superior lifting
northeast with a trailing cold front sweeping through Wisconsin and northern
Illinois tonight. North winds will usher in cooler air back to the northeast
through the morning hours across northern IL. There will be some light rain
associated with the frontal passage, but that should be clear of our area by
sunrise tomorrow morning.
Our concern is that the pressure gradient
remains rather tight behind the cold front as high pressure builds in to the
west. The northeast winds will likely be a bit too high for us, but we will
be ready - just in case. With the winds forecast being out of the northeast,
even if they do drop out sufficiently by sunrise to allow us to fly, we will
have a crosswind situation.
If we had to give odds for a flight in the morning based on what we are
seeing at the moment, we'd have to guess 80 - 20 against our being able to
fly. BUT, if there is one thing certain about the weather, it is that
nothing is certain, and we'll be ready to give it a try regardless.
Date:
November 14,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOOD
BUFFALO/ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
The first aerial census of the 2009-2010 Whooping crane season was conducted
November 12th in a Cessna 210 piloted by Gary Ritchey of Air Transit
Solutions of Castroville, Texas with USFWS observer Tom Stehn, Whooping
Crane Coordinator at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Sunshine and
light east winds made for ideal weather conditions for the four hour flight.
On the first census 91 Whooping cranes - 87 adults and 4 juveniles were
sighted. Tom said, “Based on August fledging surveys done on the nesting
grounds by the Canadian Wildlife Service, I am expecting up to 22 juveniles.
With that number of juveniles produced, the flock may experience a
break-even year with a flock total around 247 expected.”
Migration Update: The first Whooping crane arrival at Aransas was
reported the morning of October 17th when refuge staff going over to
Matagorda Island saw a pair. This sighting was just one day later than the
average first Whooping crane arrival date.
Stehn said, “A cold front that reached Aransas early on October 16
brought great migration conditions through October 17 that aided the arrival
of the first migrants. The next strong cold front at Aransas on the
afternoon of October 26 brought multiple reports of Sandhill cranes moving
through Texas, and I had my first sighting of 125 Sandhills north of the
refuge on October 27th. Two cold fronts, one October 30 and another November
9 brought favorable migration conditions lasting through November 5th and
12th respectively.”
MINIMUM # OF CRANES
DATE
# KNOWN PRESENT
REMARKS
October 1
2
Cranes over-summer at Aransas in 2009
October 17
4
First known presence of 2 migrants
October 19
5
A single was seen in flight over Holiday Beach
November 4
7
A pair seen on Matagorda Island
November 5
9
Johnson Ranch pair arrives on Lamar
November 7
12
Newcomb Bend family group arrives on Lamar
November 9
26
Tour boat reports 14 refuge additions
November 12
91
First aerial census covers all of the crane
range
“From this, and weather records, it appears that a low number of Whooping
cranes reached Aransas in the second half of October and the first week in
November, but quite a few cranes arrived between November 7-12,” Tom said.
“These later than average arrivals were simply due to birds not moving down
the flyway.”
The migration appears to be about a week later than average this year. In
2008 we flew on November 14th and tallied 239 cranes, quite a difference
from the 91 counted on 2009’s first flight.
“Numerous Whooping cranes were reported between November 2 -11 in Kansas
and Oklahoma, including 39 at Quivira NWR in central Kansas on November 10.
Quivira at one point had 36 cranes together, a record flock size for
Whooping cranes in migration. A flock of 32 was seen the following day by
Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma. The next strong pacific cold front is forecast
to reach Aransas on November 16th, which I think will allow a large number
of additional Whooping cranes to arrive at Aransas.”
Habitat Use: As a result of Hurricane Ida that crossed the Gulf and
reached Alabama as a tropical storm on November 10th, Tom estimated that
tides were one foot above what he considered to be high water levels for the
crane area. Ida raised tides 2.5 feet along the central Texas beaches. He
said the cranes responded to the high water by being mostly in vegetated
marsh, with 19 cranes on uplands next to the marsh. He believed the
distribution he saw on the first census flight was a result of the cranes
responding to wolfberries that seems to have had a good crop this year.
Stehn noted that not a single commercial blue crab trap was seen in the
crane area, including in the shallow bays edges next to the crane marshes.
He said that this was unusual and indicative of the poor harvest that has
been ongoing all summer caused by the drought and insufficient inflows
reaching the crane area.
Marsh salinities were approximately 24 parts per thousand and continue to
be above the threshold when Whooping cranes must seek out fresh water to
drink. Tom noted that two cranes were observed on at a fresh water dugout
and two at a private game feeder. The largest group size he observed was 5
birds on a high salt prairie at Welder Flats.
Date:
November 14,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Potpourri
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Impromptu Presentation
Our generous and enthusiastic stopover hosts organized an impromptu event
for us last evening. They printed up flyers, distributed them to neighbors,
and posted them in local stores to let folks know Joe would be giving a
presentation at 7:30pm.
Thanks to the cooperation of the
owners of the Stone Wall Café in Pecatonica who offered their back room as a
venue, almost 50 people were able to hear all about the project firsthand.
One attendee, Ann Whitney, emailed us this morning to tell us how much
she enjoyed Joe’s presentation, and particularly the photos and videos “from
behind the scenes.” Ann went on to say, “It was great to see Joe’s
enthusiasm for the project. He answered all of our questions and stayed as
long as we still had some. We hope Operation Migration continues to come
through the Pecatonica area leading Whooping cranes – and only stop because
there is a self-sustaining population.”
Crew Change
We are about to have another crew change. Patuxent’s Charlie Shafer finishes
his two week stint with us today and he will be leaving tomorrow after he
brings his replacement, Sharon Marroulis, a first-timer on migration, up to
speed. We are waiting for Sharon’s bio and photo, and once we have it in
hand it will be posted to the OM Team webpage so you can ‘meet’ her.
Take a Winter Adventure
Dave Davenport and OM’s own Walt Sturgeon are still looking for people
interested in taking the trip to Patagonia they've organized. They are just
a couple of people short of being able to declare the “Odyssey to Patagonia”
a go.
Enjoy a thrilling adventure to the bottom of the world and at the same
time help Operation Migration. EcoQuest Travel will donate $200 to OM for
each participant. The trip is scheduled for January 15 – 29, 2010. Also
offered is a fantastic post-trip extension that concentrates on the wildlife
of the Atacama Desert and high Andes Mountains of Northern Chile.
Strong southeast winds both on the surface and aloft will keep the cranes
and planes on the ground again today. As the winds swing around to come out
of the northwest in the evening, the likelihood of rain increases.
Provided the rain ends overnight, the favorable north winds are sustained
and are not too strong, we could be looking at a flight on Sunday
morning.
Test Flight
By 7:00am CST, despite the unfavorable conditions the weather models were
showing aloft, there was virtually little to no wind on the surface here.
That was all the excuse Chris needed to give his new engine a test run in
the air. He and Richard launched, and turned onto the course we would use to
head to the next stopover site.
With the chicks peeping loudly as they heard the trike engines, Walt, Joe,
our host, and I, stood by the hangar and watched as the headwind slowed the
two trikes almost to a standstill. In fact, at one point it looked like they
were just hanging there, hovering.
Back on the ground, Richard said that the air was rough, and that the higher
they went, the stronger the wind.
At altitude they couldn’t do better than 8mph over the ground. The best air
they could find was at a lower altitude, and even at that, they could barely
make 20mph of ground speed. Assuming that held all the way to the next
stopover, it would have meant a flight time beyond the fuel capacity of the
trikes. The decision to make today a Down Day was a good call - not
that there was any doubt.
migration trivia
compliments of craniac sue merchant of pecatonica, il Illinois
Founded in 1958 by George B. Fell of Rockford, IL, the Natural Land
Institute is one of the oldest, private, not-for-profit conservation groups
in the Midwest.
The Institute works with landowners throughout northern Illinois to
protect their properties with voluntary conservation agreements. The group
preserves forests, prairies and wetlands at areas like Pecatonica Ridge
Prairie and Nieman Marsh in western Winnebago County, Castle Rock State Park
near Oregon, Harlem Hills Prairie Nature Preserve in Loves Park, and
Franklin Creek Nature Preserve in Lee County. With the help of hundreds of
volunteers, it is restoring native vegetation at the 721-acre Nygren Wetland
Preserve located on the banks of the Rock and Pecatonica rivers near
Rockton.
Jerry Paulson, executive director, said the Natural Land Institute
connects land conservation to people’s daily lives by helping to provide
clean air and water, recreation and natural places to explore. “With the
help of our members, volunteers and partners, we are creating an enduring
legacy of natural land for our children and grandchildren. The Natural Land
Institute’s vision is that children born today will be able to see
wildflowers at original, native prairies, and hear the sound of cranes
flying overhead,” he said.
Date:
November 13,
2009 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
It appears we will likely be grounded again tomorrow. Strong SSE winds are
forecast both on the surface and aloft with rain showers likely developing
before sunrise.
Sunday however holds some promise as the winds swing
around to come out of the north and north east. While coming from the right
direction it appears as if they will be quite strong. We shall have to wait
and see what things look like 24 hours from now.
Date:
November 13,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FOR THEY
ARE JOLLY GOOD FELLOWS!
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Camp has been a lot quieter the last couple of days. We’re missing the
chatter, and the teasing and joking we’ve become accustomed to with
having.....
Gerald Murphy and Jack Wrighter around.
Both Jack and Gerald’s ‘tour of duty’ was scheduled to end November 16
when they would switch off with their top cover replacement pilots Don and
Paula Lounsbury. When this past Wednesday’s flight to LaSalle County was
aborted, and it appeared that we could be grounded by strong southerly winds
for at least a couple of days, Gerald and Jack decided to hightail it home a
little early.
We
were all barely back in camp after the unsuccessful attempt for a flight
when the dynamic duo started scurrying around in preparation for their
departure. Jack would fly ‘plane-plane’ to his home in Tellico Plains, TN,
while Gerald would drive Jack’s motorhome as far as the Knoxville airport
where Jack, and wife Judi would meet up with him to pick it up. From
Knoxville, Gerald had a flight to catch to Atlanta, where his son would meet
him for the drive to home to Milton, FL.
Their departure was a bit of a whirlwind; barely time for hugs goodbye
before they were roaring down the road and into the air. Brooke managed to
snap two quick photos just as they were on the verge of leaving camp.
Gerald and Jack’s time with us was long – in the sense that we took
forever to go not very far; and short – in that we only get to see them once
a year and had all too little time with them. They are great sports, and a
great help to have around – even when we are grounded. They always
cheerfully jump in to help wherever they can, and equally cheerfully lend a
hand with everything from grocery shopping to mail runs, and from cooking
and washing up to helping me fight with my motorhome’s sewer hose.
We consider ourselves immensely fortunate that they put up with the
vagaries and deprivations that go along with migration, (not to mention
putting up with us), and, that despite all we dish out, they continue to
come back for more.
Sincere thanks to Gerald and Jack – hope you can catch up with us for a
reunion when we get to Florida.
Date:
November 13,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
What happens
when the engine quits?
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
"What happens when the engine quits," is one of the top 10 questions we get
when we give tours at the hangar in Necedah. Our usual answer is something
like, "No problem, as long as we have a suitable place to glide down and
land."
Wednesday I was able to demonstrate live on the internet via the
TrikeCam what it's like to land with no engine. Those watching were probably
unaware what was going on as they watched me rapidly descend and land in a
beautiful hay field.
The engines we use are Rotax 503cc air cooled, 2 stroke, specially
designed light aviation engines. They produce 50 horsepower, burn unleaded
aviation fuel and are considered the most reliable aviation engines in this
horsepower and weight category.
A 2 stroke engine produces power on every downward stroke of the piston,
unlike 4 stroke engines that produce power every other revolution of the
crankshaft that the piston is connected to. 2 stroke engines do not have an
oil reserve to lubricate the engine, instead, oil is injected into the
carburetor where it mixes with the air/fuel mixture and is drawn into the
engine. Some of this oil is burned in the combustion chamber while the rest
is separated from the air/fuel mixture and covers the internal engine
components to lubricate the bearings and cylinder walls. This type of
lubrication requires the use of roller bearings on the crankshaft main
journals and connecting rods, unlike 4 stroke engines that use pressurized
oil to float the crankshaft on a specialized bearing surface.
Rotax has a maintenance and replacement schedule for all of the
components of their engines that we adhere to religiously. They recommend
the crankshafts be replaced at 300 hours. The ultralight community has
proven time and again that the Rotax 503 crankshaft can easily exceed 600
hours, with several stories of engines reaching the 1000 hour mark.
My engine was just shy of the 200 hour mark when the lower connecting rod
bearings on the front cylinder decided to disintegrate into a million pieces
and contaminate my engine with flying metal debris. The result was a sudden
drop in RPM, no indication on my engine instruments that there was a
problem, and within 20 seconds of fiddling with the choke, throttle, and
looking around for a place to land...silence.
My first thought was one of annoyance, I was within 1 minute of trying to
take some birds from Joes wing in an attempt to break the flock up for the
very long flight ahead of us. With my engine obviously failing, I turned
away and was soon a glider with hundreds if not thousands of acres of
landable terrain below me.
To my east I had a huge hay field with a road along the south side, it
was just a perfect scenario and I hardly had to maneuver at all as trike
quickly rushed up to join ground, a bit of flare at the end to arrest my
descent and coast to a smooth landing. There are times and places where this
scenario could have been the most scary experience of my possibly upcoming
short life. I was very lucky where and when this happened, some might think
I was being watched over by some higher power and I will not argue that
statement.
I radioed to the other pilots that everything was fine and listened as
they rounded up cranes and continued south into an increasing headwind. I
began poking and prodding at the engine looking for the usual suspects and
finding the engine completely seized. This mechanical bird was going nowhere
under its own power.
Meanwhile, people were stopping to ask me if everything was okay and if I
needed any help. A nice woman and her son were able to watch as the trikes
and Class of 2009 glided right over us on their return to our Winnebago
County location. We chatted a bit and I realized that she worked at the same
place as my instructor who taught me how to fly an ultralight trike back in
2001. I told her to say hi to him and to thank him for teaching me how to
deadstick a trike into a field. It turns out he is one of many people who
started a campaign to help raise funds to pay for my engine - which is the
amazing part of this story.
Everything related to aviation has an elevated price attached to it. A
new engine costs about $4000, and this is an unplanned expense for a small
organization on a tight budget. I started getting word yesterday morning
that donations were coming in to cover the cost of my engine, as well as
lots of personal messages wishing me well and good landing.
I cant give enough thanks to you all for your concern and financial
support. I also need to thank the people who stopped alongside the road to
see if I was okay and if I needed any help. Also to the landowner who was
totally cool with me dropping in on his beautifully harvested hayfield, and
of course our crew for giving me so much help getting me and my trike out of
the field and assisting with the replacing of the engine in record time.
My only worry is that, with such a show of support over this engine
problem, Liz will soon be asking me to do it again...
J
Date:
November 13, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Looking for Volunteers
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
For those of you in the Big Bend area of Florida interested in a volunteer
opportunity, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is looking for help with
Wiregrass Seed Collection.
The folks at St. Marks are seeking volunteers
to participate in hand collection of native plant sees for upland
restoration on the refuge. If you can help out any of the dates listed
below, please get in touch with David Moody (volunteer coordinator)
david_moody@fws.gov or Michael Keys
(biologist) michael_keys@fws.gov
or call 850-925-6121.
When: Friday, Nov. 13th, Monday, Nov. 16th, Wednesday, Nov. 18th, Monday,
Nov. 23th, Tuesday, Nov. 24th, or Monday, Nov 30th.
Transportation will be provided to and from the collection area but you
are asked to bring your own lunch, gardening gloves and scissors or cutting
tool. You will be collecting pure wiregrass (Aristida stricta) seed for
direct seeding this winter in the Panacea Field restoration site. You will
be working in some of the finest remnant examples of longleaf pine sandhills
and flatwoods remaining in North Florida.
Hope there are some Florida Craniacs who will be able to lend the folks
at St. Marks a hand.
Date:
November 13,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 29 - DOWN DAY #8
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Without doubt today will be Down Day #8 in Winnebago County, IL.
By mid
afternoon the south winds will bump the 4:00am temperature of 36F to around
60F. Surface winds of 10 to 15 mph out of the SE will become south winds
with gusts to 20mph as the day wears on. Aloft the SSE winds are blowing a
powerful 35mph.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Illinois Lying entirely in the Interior Plains, Illinois has three major
geographical divisions. Northern Illinois is dominated by the Chicago
metropolitan area along with the adjoining exurban area into which the
metropolis is expanding. Rockford, in Winnebago County, is the second
largest city in Northern Illinois.
Central Illinois, the "Heart of Illinois," was an area of undisturbed
prairie, most of which is now under cultivation. This area is characterized
by small towns and mid-sized cities such Springfield, the state capital,
Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, and Champaign-Urbana. The land west of the
Illinois River originally was part of the Military Tract of 1812 and forms
the distinctive western bulge of the state.
Southern Illinois is comprised of the area south of U.S. Route 70. Effingham
is the area’s largest city with a population of 34,000. The southernmost tip
of the state, in the vicinity of the junction of the Mississippi and Ohio
Rivers, is known as Little Egypt. At the very tip is the town of Cairo,
pronounced "KAYrow" as in Karo Syrup by locals. This region is distinguished
from the northern and central Illinois by its warmer climate, different
variety of crops, more rugged topography, and its many acres of cypress
swamps.
Date:
November 12,
2009 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
If you were thinking of leaving your warm bed to come and view our Winnebago
departure at the flyover site tomorrow morning we're going to suggest you
think again. After analyzing all the data on the weather models, Chris G's
assessment of our chances of flying Friday morning is 99 to 1 - and that 99
is not in our favor.
Saturday is not looking very promising either, but
we'll try to give everyone a heads up here again tomorrow afternoon.
Date:
November 12, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
BUDGET
RESCUERS
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Phenomenal! The new engine for Chris Gullikson’s trike is paid for!!!
We are all so very, very grateful (and Chris especially) to generous folks
who rushed to help us cover this unexpected and unbudgeted expense. Coming
to our rescue were:
Anonymous, Bellevue, WA
Nancy Blake, Duxbury, MA
Kerry Brookman, Fort Collins, CO
Colleen Chase, Havana, FL
Paul Dempsey, Braceville, IL
Nancy Drew, Clifford, ND
Suzanne Elsea, Norcross, GA
Charles & Ellen Herring of Cary, IL
Dorothy Nesbit, Madison, WI
Jennifer Scott, Rohwer, AR
Watch this space for an entry coming very soon from Chris about his
experience, and the removal and install of his trike engine.
Date:
November 12, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOW! COST
OF NEW TRIKE ENGINE 66% COVERED!
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Even before we posted the entry about having to replace the engine in
Chris Gullikson's trike, the first message arrived along with a donation
designated to help offset this unexpected and unbudgeted for expense. This
commitment came, not unsurprizingly, from one of OM's most dedicated
Craniacs, our good friend Nancy Drew of Clifford, ND. It wasn't long before
another arrived from good friend, Dorothy Nesbit of Madison, WI.
Then, this morning, a brand new Craniac from Bellevue, Washington (who
wishes to remain anonymous) thrilled us with a $1,500 contribution toward
the replacement engine. This was followed by another super contribution -
$1,000 from Jennifer Scott from Rohwer, AR.
There just CANNOT be any better supporters for any organization anywhere.
It would be IMPOSSIBLE.
We already have THEE BEST!
Date:
November 12, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
YOU STILL
HAVE A CHANCE...
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
For those of you who haven’t yet ‘WHOOPED!’, we (that is all our weather
delays) are certainly giving you lots of chances to do so before the first
big thank you gift draw.
In addition to the limited edition Give a WHOOP!
thank you gift T-shirts being drawn for every time we add 50 WHOOPS! to the
total, there are two other very special thank you gift draws.
The first of those two special draws will be made during the live
broadcast of the WHOOP It Up! event being held at our Lasalle County, IL
stopover. We will be drawing the name of the lucky “WHOOPER” to receive a
one week stay at Pelicans Beach House, in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
Click here to be taken to the
webpage with all the details. And click
here to Give a WHOOP! We owe a debt of gratitude to the Ruth Irvin
family for donating this super thank you gift to us.
You know the saying...“you can’t win if you haven’t got a ticket”. Well,
you won’t be in the draw for the Pelicans Beach House thank you gift if
you haven’t WHOOPED! You’ve still got time before we fly that 10,000
mile…But we hope not too long.
Better WHOOP! TODAY
Date:
November 12,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 28 - DOWN DAY #7
Location:
Winnebago Co. Il
It seemed very odd to have wind out of the south but still have a windchill
factor into the temperature this morning. At 5am it was 34F but 27F with the
windchill. On the surface the wind swung back and forth between coming out
of the SW and the SE, but regardless of its direction, it was blowing at
around 6 to 9 mph. Aloft we were facing 10mph and up of headwind.
Not a day for cranes and planes. Today will be Down Day #7 in Winnebago
County, IL.
Although things could change, at the moment, Friday and Saturday's forecasts
hold little promise of weather suitable for a flight. Sunday though, appears
as if it could present us with an opportunity to take to the air. We will
continue to try and keep you informed via a late afternoon/early
evening "Predicting" Field Journal entry.
Visit the Field Journal again
later this morning to read about the upcoming Give a WHOOP! thank you
gift draw!!!
Thanks to Mark Blassage for sharing these photos he took at yesterday's
flyover.
Top left: The Class of 2009 prior to getting 'organized' off
Joe's wing.
Top right: Nov 11th's lead pilot Joe Duff has all 20
birds.
Bottom left: A cool photo of a trike in the distance with a field
of corn stalks in the foreground.
Thanks again to Mark Blassage for sharing his photos with us (and
you).
Date:
November 11,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
FORWARD,
BACK BACK
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Sometimes we feel like we are walking uphill in deep sand – one step forward
and two back.
Our step forward this morning was calm, cold air, after a
long chain of less than perfect days. Our step back was the MP3 player on my
aircraft that refused to work, likely due to the sub-freezing temperatures.
The MP3 player generates the brood call that the chicks have heard since
before hatching, but these little electronic wonders are not designed to fly
in open aircraft at 28 degrees fahrenheit. For that matter, neither am I.
It was my turn to lead the flock on our historic flight over the 10,000
mile mark, and I was not about to forfeit that reward for the lack of a
double “A” battery, so I taxied into position and gave the thumbs up to Erin
and Geoff. They opened two panels on the pen creating a 20 foot wide gap and
all the birds charged out.
The second step forward was the location of the pen. It sits 50 feet to
the side of a long, smooth, grass runway and allows you the room to take off
slowly, rather than blasting into the air to clear the trees and leaving the
birds a hundred yards behind. Instead you can begin a slow taxi until they
line up with the wing and increase speed until you lift off together.
The step back was the headwind that met us just above the ground. Anyone
who has ever tried to run while chest deep in water knows the frustration of
a headwind. It’s like the dream you have of being chased by something evil
while you try to escape on legs that feel mysteriously sluggish. In your
mind they should be fleet and swift, and the fear is certainly providing
enough motivation. But in reality they are restricted by blankets and sheets
and the only real threat behind you is the ire of your spouse who is rapidly
losing patience.
I hate headwinds. In fact I hate all wind. Yes I know, that’s as
nonsensical as saying you hate air, but I am indulging in a little self
pity. There is a windsurfing shop in a town south of where I live called,
“Never Enough Wind.” Someday I’m going to burn it down.
The next step forward this morning was the way the birds followed. Cold
air is more dense than warm air, and each downward push with their wings
produces more lift, each breath captures more oxygen and they were eager and
willing to fly. I flew 'S' turns as they cut the corners to catch up, and we
climbed through 500 feet. Not one turned back.
As we slowly gained altitude the mass of air we were flying through
increased its speed to the north while we flew south. Drivers of cars only
have to concern themselves with one speed. You go fast enough to get you
there in a reasonable time yet slow enough not to attract the attention of
the State Trooper. Pilots however have to deal with two speeds ,and
inattention to either has a consequence more severe than a ticket.
Air speed is the velocity of the aircraft through the air. If you go too
slowly the wing cannot generate enough lift and it changes from a marvel of
modern technology to a pile of twisted aluminum in record time. At the same
time, the air through which you are flying is also moving. Think of a speed
boat powering upstream in a river. It may be cruising at 50 mph though the
water, but if the water is flowing downstream at 20 miles per hour, the boat
is only passing the shore line at 30.
In the air that is called ground speed, or the actual speed you are
passing over the surface. This morning the birds were eagerly flying along
at 38 miles per hour air speed, but only making 25 mph ground speed.
The big step back came next when Chris told us over the radio that he had
an engine issue. He was out ahead, and about to climb to see if the winds
diminished as we got higher when he lost power. He added some choke to see
if it was a fuel problem but it soon quit and he started to go down. The
engines we use are Rotax 503’s and we often refer to them as bullet proof.
In the thousands of hours we have accumulated we have not lost an engine in
flight. Yes we have had problems with them occasionally, but never an abrupt
loss of power while flying – until now.
This is exactly why we changed our migration route to avoid overflying
the Appalachian Mountains. If this had happened over the rocky and wooded
terrain of Kentucky or Tennessee the outcome may not have been so assured.
But with a hundred open, flat, harvested bean fields to choose from, Chris
made an easy and uneventful landing.
Greatly relieved that Chris was okay, we slowly climbed to 700 feet and
watched as the ground speed dropped to 17 then 15 miles per hour. The GPS
gives you the time-to-destination in hours and minutes. We took off with 2
hours to go and now, after flying for 30 minutes, the next stop was 3 hours,
20 minutes away. We only carry enough fuel for 3 and a half hours so it was
obvious we were not going to make it.
Jack Wrighter in the top cover Cessna said if we could get the birds to
2500 feet the headwind diminished, but we were still within the Rockford
airport restricted airspace and not able to climb. We needed several more
miles before we could begin to force the birds higher, and then it was only
a gamble. We had to weigh the odds of making the destination with enough
fuel in reserve, or finding a place to hide a flock of twenty birds in an
isolated field where we hadn’t been invited – all the while short an
aircraft.
The next few days are forecast to be windy so the options were limited.
We could choose a secure pen back at the departure point and a hangar for
the aircraft, or a field somewhere below us with a long explanation to an
irate landowner outlining our excuses for trespassing.
At 47 minutes into the flight we were only 14 miles from the take-off
point. The birds were strong and following beautifully but the numbers on
the GPS were in conflict with the fuel we had left, and we made the hardest
decision of the migration.
The ground crew had already been given permission to dismantle the pen
and the Top Cover pilots had to scramble to get on the ground. The wind that
slowed our progress was now speeding our return so there were only minutes
left to prepare for the arrival of the birds.
As we approached, we could see Chris on the ground talking to the farmer,
and the aircraft trailer already deployed to retrieve him. Within the hour
the only thing left to deal with was the disappointment. By mid afternoon we
determined that Chris’s engine was not salvageable and made a 4 hour road
trip to purchase a new one. Four thousand dollars puts a huge crimp in the
budget, but then it’s not like we had a choice.
Crossing the 10,000 mile line is proving as hard as it was to accumulate
them in the first place. Let’s hope it doesn’t take 10 years.
Date:
November 11,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
8 MILES
OUT THEN 8 MILES BACK
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
East winds on the surface and ~10mph headwind aloft, but we made a valiant
attempt this morning. The birds formed up okay, but the pilots were clocking
as little as 13mph ground speed at times. Brooke said the birds were flying
beautifully for the most part, but with the slow going, and this being one
of our longer legs, fuel could have become an issue. Discretion being the
better part of valor, the pilots reluctantly turned back.
The birds are
all back in the pen and camp is reestablishing here in Winnebago.
Chris also had an issue with his trike and just a couple of miles out
from our stopover location, he put down in a bean field. The team is on its
way with the aircraft trailer to pick both him and the trike up. More news
later.
The CraneCam will be back up and operational by approximately 9:30am CST.
Date:
November 10,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Chris Gullickson
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Here is Chris G's assessment of conditions we will face tomorrow
morning.
A west to east elongated area of high pressure will sit just to our north
on Wednesday morning bringing us light east winds at the surface that will
slowly back to the south as the high continues to drift east. We will be
under clear skies, allowing a cold layer of air to develop at the surface.
This cold dense air should be calm enough to fly in. It should also allow us
to climb the birds to a higher altitude where we will likely find a bit of a
headwind component from the easterly wind flowing clockwise around the high
to our north.
We should have light northeast winds at the surface, and will likely put
a trike up to see how much of a headwind component we will have to deal with
before making the call to 'go' or stand down.
If we are able to fly tomorrow, we will use the same departure
flyover location as previously posted. It is on N. Hoisington Road, just
outside of the town of Pecatonica, IL. The exact location is only 0.68 miles
from the intersection of Saunders and N. Hoisington Road. Use this link to
view the location on
Google Maps. If it is a 'go', look for OM's RV on the side of the road.
Date:
November 10, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
'ALMOST'
DEPARTURE PHOTOS
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
The photos below were taken yesterday morning as we tried to depart
Stopover #5 for LaSalle County. Thanks to Linda and Walt for sharing them
with us.
Brooke prepares for take off.
Joe, yesterday's lead pilot launches.
Jack Wrighter's aircraft is ready for
top cover duty.
Joe launches with the Class of 2009 - but not all
of them.
Joe has 19 of the 20 at this
point, one landed out.
Circling around trying to get them to form up.
Wanting to fly, but not willing to
follow.
Back on the ground and headed for a return to the
pen.
Date:
November 10,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 26 - DOWN DAY #5
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
One good sign this morning at 4:00am CST was the temperature; colder. There
was
very little surface wind, but as sunrise approached that changed, and the
crosswind effect Chris predicted last evening that we would have this
morning came into play.
As we gathered around the coffee pot the debate
began. Would we be able to fly a migration leg today? Unfortunately the
answer turned out to be, definitely not.
Between analyzing the computer weather models and checking the wind activity
for ourselves, it wasn't even borderline enough for it to be worthwhile
putting up a test trike.
Today will be Down Day #5 at Stopover #5.
It was on this date in 2008 that we arrived in Winnebago County, IL, and
here we remained for the next seven days waiting for favorable weather.
Quite a contrast last year to this. In 2008 it was wet and cold; at one
point we even had enough snow to make snowballs! This year, we've had days
of t-shirt weather - in fact warm enough for Gerald to break out his shorts
and Bev her sandals.
Although today will be the fifth day we've been ground-bound here, if
we are able to fly the next leg any day up to and including November 17, we
will still be beating last year's migration timeline. Just keeping positive....
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Winnebago County, IL Remember those nights gathered around a campfire and toasting
marshmallows? We loved those sweet and sticky confections and didn't give a
hoot about where they came from. Marshmallow history goes all the way back
about 4,000 years to the ancient Egyptians. They made a honey-based candy,
thickened with an extract, from the mallow plant that grew in the marshes.
Thereby was born the name - marshmallow.
In the mid 19th century European candymakers added egg white and sugar to
the recipe, whipped it into a meringue and poured it into cornstarch molds.
Later, gelatin replaced the mallow root extract in the concoction. One of
the first makers of marshmallows in this country began production of
Campfire Marshmallows in 1917 in Rockford, IL. Thirty years later his son,
Alex Doumakes, revolutionized production by inventing the "extrusion
process". This reduced the handwork considerably by running the mixture
through tubes, cutting it into equal pieces, cooling and packaging. Just
thinking about them makes one wish for 'Smores’.
Date:
November 9, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
As for tomorrow's prospects - we have a high pressure system to the north
of us that will give us ENE winds on the surface. Chris Gullickson says,
that may give us a crosswind that will make things a bit breezy. The
prognosis is that if the pilots can find some reasonably calm air they'll
attempt a flight in the morning. The downside of flying in those conditions
is that with the not so cooperative winds, they won't be able to make much
speed and so it could make the approximately 55 air mile leg longer.
If we are able to fly tomorrow, we will use the same departure
flyover location as previously posted. It is on N. Hoisington Road, just
outside of the town of Pecatonica, IL. The exact location is only 0.68 miles
from the intersection of Saunders and N. Hoisington Road. Use this link to
view the location on
Google Maps. Look for OM's
RV on the side of the road. Hope to see YOU there!
The
Winnebago to LaSalle County migration leg will be the last flight before our
WHOOP It Up! event in celebration of our 10,000th mile leading endangered
Whooping cranes on their first migration. You are invited to tune in to the
live, online broadcast of the event.
More details will be posted here the day we fly that leg - whenever that
may be. In the meantime, if you haven’t already participated in Give a
WHOOP! (we’re still well short of our goal – one for each of the
10,000 miles) here is a link to the details about Give a WHOOP! and
here is a link so you can
give your $10
WHOOP! right now.
Date:
November 9, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
BORDERS
AND BOUNDARIES
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Migratory birds have been moving north and south across this continent for
millions of years. Since the arrival of Europeans we have divided the land
over which they fly into increasingly complex segments. First it was fields
that changed the grassland diversity into monoculture habitat, then roads
that joined all the fields.
Thereafter the divisions became less obvious
like city limits, county lines and state borders. We subdivided the land
into jurisdictions of law, congregations of religion and boards of
education. Even the air through which they navigate we have apportioned into
flyways, air routes and classes of airspace with varying degrees of
restriction none of which are heeded by birds.
The avian culture ignores these manmade limitations occasionally to their
peril, but this morning our Whooping cranes were confined by another sort of
invisible border that formed a layer of turbulent air above them.
As the sun began to rise, the winds on the surface dropped to zero, and
the fields of dried and yellow corn were quiet for the first time in days.
It looked like a perfect morning until you climbed about 200 feet. Between
there and 600 feet the air was rough, and the temperature a few degrees
warmer than on the surface. In fact it was 58 degrees fahrenheit which is
unusual for this late in the season.
Warm air is less dense than cold and the molecules of oxygen are spread
thinner. It can also hold a lot more water. The high humidity and warm air
meant the birds had trouble breathing and keeping themselves cooled as they
exerted energy climbing to catch the aircraft.
The rough air meant they couldn’t get any benefit from the ultralight’s
wing and the combination is often enough to turn them back. We circled
several times gaining altitude on one pass, and losing it all on the next.
For 20 minutes they formed on the wing, then broke for home, then reformed
over the pen as the swamp monsters paraded below.
We made another attempt, but as they climbed to catch the wing all of
them were breathing with beaks open. Even if we could work them up another
400 feet to smooth air we had an hour to go and the conditions were
deteriorating quickly.
Eager to follow if we were heading home they all formed on the wing and
landed with the aircraft in perfect unison. For the birds, and for us, the
borders you can’t see are often the most restrictive.
Date:
November 9, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
BIRD SONG
CARDS
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
BIRD SONG CARDS: IT WAS INEVITABLE
When did you get your first? When did they start? You know what we’re
referring to: those birthday-anniversary-graduation greeting cards with
accompanying music. It’s those cards that when you open them will greet you
with a slice of “Wild Thing,” or “Smoking in the Boy’s Room,” or “Crazy,” or
“Roxanne,” or, goodness knows, something from “Hair.”
Well, the next step
in their evolution has now occurred: new greeting cards which contain real
bird songs and calls. Check out
www.reallywildcards.com
Open one of these cards, and out will come 13 to 15 seconds of chirps,
peeps, whistles, and croaks from a variety of birds. The cards were
announced last month, produced by the U.K.’s Really Wild Cards along with
accompanying bird recordings from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Each card
also features a painting of the species selected from the Cornell Lab’s art
collection, along with information about the bird.
These cards are made from recycled or sustainable forest products. The
sound chips run on lead-free lithium batteries and even the clear wrapper is
biodegradable. (Note: despite the claim of the cards being environmentally
friendly, all batteries should be treated as potentially hazardous.) A
percentage of profits from the sales of the cards will fund projects at the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The folks at Really Wild Cards expect to release
a new set of bird-sound cards approximately every six months.
Although the wind and weather conditions were not at all optimum, the pilots
decided they weren't so bad that a launching a test trike wouldn't be
worthwhile. Once in the air, they decided they could give it a try and Joe,
today's lead pilot, landed to pick up the birds.
I'll leave the rest of
the story for him to relate in his lead pilot update, and just let you know
now, that they had to turn back. Linda and I and the crowd of folks at the
flyover site watched the trikes circling and at one point spotted Joe with a
string of birds off his wing, but then word came over the aviation radio
that it wasn't doable.
Check back later today for Joe's report, and for some photos of
yesterday's release of the birds for some exercise.
Date:
November 8,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
SMALL
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE TOMORROW
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
We MAY have a small window of opportunity for a flight tomorrow morning. It
is likely to be rough air at the surface and lower altitudes, but Chris
Gullikson thinks that if they can get the birds to climb above it, they
might find some smooth air, albeit with winds mostly out of the west. In
fact, a little later in the morning than we usually see a take off appears
to be more favorable.
We will have to wait and see what the morning
brings.
Once again, the flyover viewing site is on N. Hoisington Road, just outside of the town of
Pecatonica, IL. The exact location is only 0.68 miles from the intersection
of Saunders and N. Hoisington Road. Use this link to view the location on
Google Maps. If the pilots think a flight is doable, you will see OM's
RV on the side of the road.
Date:
November 8,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Hmmmm, not looking too great for a flight tomorrow. Surface winds are out of
the south and aloft they are expected to be 25mph out of the WSW. We will
have to wait and see what the morning brings, but with out a major swing in
the wind direction....
Remember, for just $10 you can
Give a WHOOP!and then join the celebration online that we will broadcast live via the CraneCam on the afternoon of the day we achieve that
milestone. (Which will be the next day we fly...)
Date:
November 8, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Bev Paulan
Subject:
VIEW FROM
THE TRACKING VAN
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
This year on migration I am fortunate enough to be in the tracking van.
The van drives as close to underneath the flight path of the trikes and
chicks as possible. It is equipped with tracking equipment for the birds,
crates, a medical kit prepared for us by the vet team, GPS / mapping
software on a laptop, and, the most crucial piece, an aircraft radio to
maintain contact with the pilots.
This job is either the easiest or the toughest depending on how the birds
are following. It has been extremely easy the last two flights, with all the
birds following the entire trip. Past years, the tracking crew (usually
consisting of just the Patuxent rep) has been the last to camp, driving a
crated chick or two.
On my first migration, now already four years ago, half the birds decided
not to follow out of our Sauk County, WI stop. It was easy to track down the
majority of them, but one bird kept Charlie Shafer out until dark,
navigating through the bluffs and hills, dead end road, and thickly forested
hillsides, trying to find the chick. Eventually he found the wayward chick,
crated her up, and got her into our Green County pen well after sunset.
This year it was decided to have two people in the tracking van at all
times. It is not only a good idea for helping crate birds if needed, but it
is a safety consideration. Trying to drive, navigate and communicate at the
same time, over sometimes hilly, winding roads is not an easy task. With two
people, the labor is divided, ensuring not only safety, but better attention
to the task at hand.
Something else new for this year, is that the Patuxent staff is rotating
in and out at two week intervals. With me in the van, there is continuity
from flight to flight. By riding along since the beginning, I have a better
idea which birds follow and which do not. Which one is more likely to drop
out, or insist on its own trike.
An added bonus to me being in the van under the pilots is that I have the
expertise in airspace navigation and can call ahead, if needed, to give ATC
towers a heads up that trikes and birds (What!) are soon to be invading
their airspace. I can also call, via cell phone, further ahead on the route
to check local airport weather conditions. This aids in making a “shall we
skip?” decision if we know how windy, or not, our destination is.
For me the best part of riding or driving the tracking van is obvious. I
get to see the show from up close and underneath. Yesterday, as Charlie
drove, he would get us into position so that when the trikes would continue
on their route, they would fly right over the van. I rarely, if ever, have
gotten this view, and it was breathtaking. To see all 20 chicks strung out
behind one wingtip left me awestruck.
As they would pass, and Charlie would continue driving, I couldn’t take
my eyes off the chicks. One long line, straight as an arrow one moment,
suddenly would undulate, almost like an inflight version of crack the whip.
This shifting continued periodically for the entire flight and I never tired
of watching it.
With
Charlie’s knowledge of the route and expert navigation, we reached our
Winnebago County stopover just as the trikes were arriving. This is a view I
have only seen one other time - and that was from the top cover aircraft.
With the cool morning air and relatively short hop, the chicks were still
wanting to fly, so Richard had to land to ensure that they would, too. After
only one circle, trike and chicks were on the ground and the glorious sight
of the flight was relegated to the memory banks.
Thank goodness I still have many miles to drive in the van and many more
flights to witness. I just hope the birds keep behaving like they have and I
am able to remain just a passive participant in the daily migration. (Left:
Bev's photo of the arrival at Winnebago County, IL stopover.)
Date:
November 8,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day #24
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
If, instead of being in Illinois, we were in Holland, Poland, or Italy, we
would describing this morning's conditions as: te winderig, zbyt wietrznie,
and troppo vento, respectively.
Yes, once again it's too windy for the
cranes and planes, so this will be Down Day #3 in Winnebago County.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Winnebago County, IL
The Anderson Japanese Gardens is a must-see for visitors to Rockford, IL.
From its website description: "The gardens are designed to allow our guests
to reflect upon the tranquil beauty of nature, to leave the stresses of
everyday life, to commune with nature and thus with one's self. The three
essential elements of a Japanese garden are: water for its soothing and
reflective qualities; rock for its sense of permanence; and plants for their
textures and shades of green."
Excerpt fromBIRDING COMMUNITY
E-BULLETIN
In late August, BirdLife International announced the launch of a remarkable
campaign to find 47 rare birds thought to be possibly extinct. This is a
global bid to try to confirm the continued existence of 47 species of bird
whose existence has not be verified for decades, with at least one species
unobserved for 184 years.
Announced at the 21st British Birdwatching Fair, this year’s campaign’s
symbol was the rare and endangered Cebu Flowerpecker of the Philippines. The
Cebu Flowerpecker, a species feared extinct by the early 20th Century, was
rediscovered in 1992, just before the last remnants of its forest home were
to be destroyed.
"The mention of species such as Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Jamaican Petrel,
Hooded Seedeater, Himalayan Quail and Pink-headed Duck will set scientists'
pulses racing. Some of these species haven’t been seen by any living person,
but birdwatchers around the world still dream of rediscovering these
long-lost ghosts," said Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International's chief
executive.
The end goal of the project is, of course, the conservation of bird species.
Should these birds be rediscovered, serious conservation efforts to keep
them in existence will have to be launched.
To
read more.....
Also in the category of rarities, the very first Fiji Petrel specimen ever
collected was taken in 1855 on the island of Gau, in the Fiji Island group;
a second was not taken until 1984. Since then, there have only been a
handful of reports, mostly of birds colliding with houses on Gau. Until this
year nobody had ever positively identified the species at sea. At long last,
a live Fiji Petrel was photographed at sea this spring, and
the news and photo were announced and published last month.
Date:
November 7, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
TOMORROW’S PROSPECTS
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Prospects for a flight tomorrow are not looking at all promising. Forecast
winds are alternatively 6mph out of the east and 12mph out of the south on
the surface, and aloft there is also a strong southerly flow. Chances are
zero to none that the cranes and planes will be in the air Sunday morning.
Haven’t WHOOPed! Yet? We need you to do it now!!
We’ve still a very long way to go to reach our goal of 10,000 WHOOPS. A
disappointing 6,543 yet to go in fact- - AND we are only one migration leg
short of achieving our 10,000 mile in the air leading endangered Whooping
cranes on their first migration.
For just $10 you can Give a WHOOP! and show that YOU
care about the future of this magnificent species. Please Give a WHOOP!
today and then join the celebration online that will broadcast live via the
Duke Energy sponsored CraneCam on the afternoon of the day we achieve that
milestone. (Which will be the next day we fly...)
MileMaker Update: So far, 820 (64%) of 1,285 miles have been
sponsored – which is super – but, if we are to cover the costs of the 2009
migration we need all the sponsorships sold out. Can you help?
Click the link to go to the
MileMaker page,
or call the office toll free Monday - Friday between 9 and 4 EST. Chris or
Linda will be happy to take down the particulars of your sponsorship.
1-800-675-2618.
Date:
November 7,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Whooping crane Recovery Team
Report Oct 08 – Oct 09
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Recently received was a report from International Recovery Team Co-Chair,
Tom Stehn. Tom is with the USFWS and is the Whooping Crane Coordinator at
the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Aransas, Texas. His 27 page Whooping
crane recover report covers the period October 2008 to October 2009. Below
are highlights from his report.
Click here to read the
Tom’s entire report.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population (AWBP) of Whooping cranes reached a
record population of 270 at Aransas in December, 2008. The number would have
been substantially higher but for the loss of 34 birds that left Aransas in
the spring, 2008 and failed to return in the fall.
Faced with food
shortages from an “exceptional” drought that hammered Texas, record high
mortality during the 2008-09 winter of 23 cranes (8.5% of the flock) left
the AWBP at 247 in the spring, 2009. Total flock mortality for the 12 months
following April, 2008 equaled 57 birds (21.4% of the flock). The refuge
provided supplemental feed during the 2008-09 winter to provide some cranes
with additional calories. Two Whooping cranes failed to migrate north, but
survived the hot and dry 2009 Aransas summer.
A below-average 2009 production year in Canada with 22 fledged chicks
from 62 nests was half the production of the previous summer and is expected
to result in a break-even year for the AWBP. Threats to the flock including
land and water development in Texas, the spread of black mangrove on the
wintering grounds, and wind farm construction in the migration corridor all
remained unabated in 2009.
The Cooperative Whooping Crane Tracking Project documented 79 confirmed
sightings of Whooping cranes in the U.S. Central Flyway during fall, 2008
and 38 sightings in spring, 2009.
The captive flocks had a very good production season in 2009. Twenty-nine
chicks were raised for the the Eastern Migratory Population. Three chicks of high genetic value were held
back for the captive flocks.
Production in the wild from reintroduced flocks in 2009 was
disappointing. In Florida because of the continuing drought, only 4 of 11
pairs nested and fledged one chick. In Wisconsin, all 12 nesting pairs
abandoned their nests. Five or six pairs re-nested hatching two chicks, but
neither chick survived.
The major hurdle of nest abandonment in Wisconsin must be overcome for
that reintroduction to have a chance of success. Although efforts to clear
this hurdle should continue, the Recovery Team recommended starting
reintroductions in different areas, both looking for other release sites in
Wisconsin for the migratory Whooping cranes, and starting a non-migratory
flock in Louisiana.
In 2009, total production could not quite keep up with mortality, with
the total population of wild and captive birds dropping from 538 to 534
during a 12-month period. The drop was primarily due to the high mortality
experienced by the AWBP.
Canadian Whooping Crane Coordinator Brian Johns retired in October, 2009
after 36 years with the Canadian Wildlife Service and many excellent years
helping Whooping cranes. Thank you, Brian, for all you have done.
Note:
The Board of Directors and staff of Operation Migration also send their
gratitude and appreciation to Brian Johns for his years of service and
tireless efforts on behalf of Whooping cranes. Happy retirement, Brian!!
Date:
November 7, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FLYOVER
PHOTOS
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Early on Thursday morning, Anne Saeman left her warm home in Madison, WI to drive
to the Green County, WI departure flyover site. Once there, despite the
chilly wait, based on the message we
received from her, it was all worth the effort.
Anne said, “Thank you so much for providing the opportunity for a flyover.
It was absolutely fantastic! I wasn't able to make it to the flyover at
Ferry Bluff, so I was elated when I saw there would be one more time I might
be able to see the cranes before leaving Wisconsin. I’m sending a few
photos, although my hands were shaking so much I'm surprised they even
turned out!” [Anne's photos, for which we are grateful, are below]
Sunrise over Green County, WI.
Leading 3 birds off RVH's wing.
Richard with 19 and Brooke with 1.
Below are a couple
of other pictures I hadn’t until now had an opportunity to process and post
here.
This is sight that greeted the crew when they
returned to the Canfield pensite on the Necedah NWR to remove the
pen top netting and winterize the site. Under all that water is what
is normally the runway.
Geoff, thankful for his high rubber boots, helps to remove the
top net from the Canfield pen.
The can be no doubt that Wet-consin successfully dethroned Wind-consin.
Date:
November 7,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration
Day 23
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
As with yesterday, today's weather is not amenable for a flight with cranes
and planes. We have a mild 54F. But even on the surface the winds are
strong, 5 - 9mph out of the SW, and aloft they are blowing a stiff 35 to 40.
Whether you say it in Spanish, - demasiado viento; in French - trop de vent;
or in German - zu windig, it's too windy. This will be Down Day #2 in
Winnebago County, IL.
May
we suggest another item for those hard to buy for folks on your holiday gift
list? For a personalized gift, create a one-of-a-kind 2010 Wall Calendar.
"MiCalendar" is easy to use, and you can either choose from the many beautiful images we
have provided, or upload your very own special or meaningful photos. Click the
graphic to the right to be taken to our merchandise page for the simple instructions.
Note: We have received some more photos of the departure from Green County,
WI to our stopover here in Winnebago, IL. I hope to post them here before
the day is out. Check back later today.
Date:
November 6,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Based on what the weather models are predicting, a departure from Winnebago
County tomorrow is 99.9% unlikely. The forecast calls for SSE surface winds
around 12-13mph and WSW 40mph winds aloft.
On a more upbeat note, Walter
and I did some scouting this afternoon and were able to find what we believe
will be a reasonably good viewing site for a flyover when we do depart
Winnebago County.
The site is on N. Hoisington Road, which is just outside of the town of
Pecatonica, IL. The exact location is only 0.68 miles from the intersection
of Saunders and N. Hoisington Road. Use this link to view the location on
Google Maps. We will try to give you a heads-up late the afternoon or
evening ahead of any morning it looks like we might be able to fly.
There is no off-road parking so safety first please. Be sure
to pull your vehicle as far onto the shoulder
of the road as possible.
If it is 'a go' for a flight, OM's RV will be on site to give viewers an
opportunity to purchase some OM Gear. I will also have an aviation radio
with me so you can hear the pilots' 'chatter' as they take off.
Sunrise is at approximately 6:40AM these mornings so viewers will want to be
in place not much later than that.
Date:
November 6, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
HOLIDAY
SHOPPING
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
Last week I noticed that right beside their Halloween paraphernalia, all the
stores had stocked their shelves with their Christmas merchandise. Thinking
they obviously know something I don’t about early shopping, I figured it
must be time for a reminder here about what OM has to offer for holiday gift
giving.
Why not consider an
OM
Membership for your favorite Craniac - or, for someone who, with a
little nudge, could become one.
Our semi-annual magazine, INformation, is but one perk of
membership. Distributed in April and October, INformation contains a
mix of Whooping crane, OM, and other conservation and environmental news, as
well as articles by guest authors on a diversity of related topics.
While a relatively small publication, INformation receives
terrific reviews, and we think it has some fascinating content that the
public, as well as Craniacs, would greatly enjoy. If you tell us at the time
of ordering that the Membership is a gift, we will send you a special card
for you to give or send to announce your gift to the lucky recipient.
Members also receive discount pricing on
OM Gear and other
merchandise, and, they will be included on the list of recipients for our
EarlyBird e-bulletin. Throughout each year's migration, OM's EarlyBird
e-bulletin is delivered directly to Members' email inboxes first thing in
the morning, within moments of the decision to fly or not to fly being made.
Members learn the news of the day first - usually hours before the go, no-go
update can be posted to the Field Journal.
There’s some great OM
Gear on our Merchandise webpage, and don’t forget we’ve got two types of
greeting cards. Order them now and you’ll have them in lots of time to
get them in the mail to all the friends and family you send holiday wishes
to. (Note: the boxed set of embossed Christmas cards always sell out
fast, and with our limited supply you’ll want to order yours early.)
Date:
November 6, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
LESSONS
LEARNED
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
The first migration we even attempted was in 1993 when Bill Lishman asked me
to help him lead a small flock of Canada geese from Ontario to Virginia. We
doubled that distance the next year leading a larger flock all the way to
South Carolina.
When we finished the filming of the movie Fly Away Home in ‘95 we led the 60
actor geese on their first migration and also began working with Sandhill
cranes. Thereafter we conducted three migrations with Sandhills, two with
Trumpeter swans, and every year since 2001 we have taught Whooping cranes
the way south.
You can add in a few more experiments, like when we transported the birds
all the way south in a truck hoping they could return on their own like
homing pigeons. Or when we tried a stage-by-stage migration where the birds
were crated and transported 50 miles by truck. After they were released to
fly around they were crated again for the next 50 mile journey. All of this
in the fruitless hope that they could somehow connect the dots on the way
back.
In total we have conducted 20 migration experiments with 4 species, and the
one lesson I have learned the hard way is that each flock is different. Just
when you think you know a thing or two, you can relay on a bird to take you
down a few notches.
As little as ten days ago I was very worried about this migration. It was
day 12 already and the birds were only at the first stop, just 4 miles off
the refuge. Weather can change in an instant so I had faith that it would
eventually get better, but it was the birds’ behavior that scared me most.
Of twenty birds, only five followed us even the intentionally short distance
to the first stop. The rest divided themselves between three training sites
back at Necedah and eventually had to be crated. Migration leg two was
almost as bad. Only 10 birds flew there, and the other ten had to be crated.
It was their disinterest that concerned me. Birds that should follow, were
leaving the wing and turning back in complete disregard for the aircraft.
The affinity we worked so hard to establish seemed to have disappeared.
And then it all changed. Chris Gullikson led the birds from South Juneau to
Sauk Co and they all followed well. There was no turning back or separation.
One circle was all that was needed. They began a slow climb, and soon they
were on their way taking 51 minutes to cover 26 miles.
This last leg was similar. Brooke launched with the birds at Green County
but Richard soon moved in to take the lead and 20 birds followed him all the
way to Winnebago Co.
From disinterest to dedication, from 6 days behind to 5 days ahead –just
when you think you know a thing or two.
Date:
November 6,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 22
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
At 4:00am CST it was already 43F. Not only was it warm, it was breezy too,
with 11mph ESE surface winds that are forecast to both increase and have
gusts up to 30mph as the day wears on. Aloft the story was worse. Aloft, the
winds out of the south were booming along at 30 to 40mph. No weather for
cranes and planes to be flying in. Today will be Down Day #1 in Winnebago
County, IL.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Winnebago County, IL (Thanks
to Becky Hartman of IL for this bit on conservation in Illinois.)
About midway between Winnebago and LaSalle Counties are the Nachusa
Grasslands owned by The Nature Conservancy. Its 2700 acres feature large
stretches of remnant native prairie stitched together by volunteer-led
prairie restorations and reconstructions.
One of the uncommon or rare animals that survive at Nachusa are
Blanding’s turtles. Nachusa is home to over 600 native plant species and 180
species of birds. Grassland birds, including grasshopper sparrows,
dickcissels, bobolinks and Henslow’s sparrow, perch in the colorful prairie
grasses, alongside one of the state’s largest populations of federally
threatened prairie bush clover.
Who knows, Whooping cranes, prairie chickens, and bison may roam here
again one day. It is the featured cover story of the fall issue of the
Nature Conservancy magazine.
Check it
out online.
Date:
November 5,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Erin Harris
Subject:
Behind The Scenes On A Fly
Day
Location:
Winnebago Co. IL
As the winds aloft were supposed to be strong, we woke up this past Tuesday
not knowing whether or not it would be the day the Class of 2009 and the OM
crew left Sauk Co. for Green Co. WI.
As the sun came up the pilots took to
the air to test the conditions. First Chris, and then Matt, Brooke, and
Richard took off, and once airborne, decided that it would be a 'go'. The
two cameras, the CraneCam and TrikeCam were ready to record the departure
and flight, the crew was in position, and Geoff and I went down to the
pensite to prepare for the release.
Preparing the pen for release is very important and we have to be ready,
as the chicks are eager to go when the trike gets there. The preparation
involves turning off the electric fence (which gives you a nasty reminder if
you forget), removing all items in front of the release panels, and the key
component to the release, pulling back the flight netting.
The chicks are so eager to fly that they are usually airborne before they
reach the panels, so it’s crucial that the flight netting be out of their
way. As soon as the pen was ready Geoff and I hid in the mobile pen trailer
to wait for the lead pilot's trike to arrive.
Once we got the go ahead, Geoff and I took up positions in front of the
release panels and waited for Richard to arrive. He landed on the runway and
gave us the ‘thumbs up’. Geoff and I opened the panels and then moved out of
the way as 19 eager chicks ran out of the gate and took to the air.
Richard had to gun his trike in order to stay ahead of them as they flew
down the runway. As we looked around, we realized - 19 chicks??? Who’s still
here? We found 905 back in the pen, but with some encouragement from me, she
ran to the gate and flew away, catching up with her flockmates.
Geoff and I ran back into the pen, grabbed the decoy, and waited for the
pilots to call for swamp monster. When swamp monster was called into action,
I quickly took my costume off, grabbed my radio and air horn, pulled the
tarp over my head, and went to stand on the runway.
I went on there expecting to see chicks flying around the area, but I
didn’t see any nor did I hear any trikes. After the pilots and chicks were
clear of the area, I got the 'OK' to take the pen down. At the same time,
Heather turned off the CraneCam, and began to get it ready for travel.
Geoff and I started to take down the pen. We were soon joined by Joe,
Dave Boyd, and others, to help speed up the tear-down process. When the pen
was disassembled and all supplies were accounted for, Joe pulled the trailer
out of the field, to where camp was assembled.
When the pen trailer and CraneCam trailer were ready to hit the road,
Heather and I made the beautiful drive to Green County, WI. Using
walkie-talkies, Heather and I were able to keep in touch. Once we arrived at
our final destination, we were greeted by a happy crowd. It was a wonderful
feeling knowing that all 20 chicks made the trip in fine style and we were
on the move.
Once camp was assembled, and the trikes tied down, everyone gathered at
our stopover hosts' house for sandwiches and a bowl of delicious hot,
homemade soup. Our hosts are so generous to share their home with us, and we
are lucky to have such great supporters.
Date:
November 5,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
SO LONG
WISCONSIN - - HELLO ILLINOIS!!
Location:
Green Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
Green Co. WI to Winnebago Co. IL - 34.0
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
130.4 Miles
As you can tell by the subject line above, we've left Wind-consin (or Wet-consin)
behind and are now in flyway state number two, Illinois - or as Brooke calls
it, "the land of flat".
As darkness fell yesterday it got colder and
colder. That was good news. The return of the chilly temperatures heralded a
change in wind direction. As the winds swung around from the south to blow
from west and then from the NW, the temperature continued to drop.
By early morning it was 29F, and while we had almost negligible westerly
surface winds there were gusts up to 2mph. Aloft the NW winds were stronger,
reading around 10mph which meant if it wasn't to trashy, the planes and
cranes would have a tailwind to give the a little push.
By 6:20am CST the entire team was on the move, and speculation was high
about the possibility of being able to skip the first Illinois stopover in
Winnebago County.
Brooke was lead pilot today and his launch from the pensite was a good
one. In moments he was in the air with all the birds. There was some bird to
trike, shuffling before they finally formed up (I'll leave the play by play
for the lead pilot's report), but in short order we could see the four
trikes low on the horizon approaching the excited crowd at the flyover site.
As the Class of 2009 came closer, we could see that Brooke was down to
just one bird off his wing, while the other 19 were strung out like a strand
of pearls off Richard's right wing. They didn't have a lot of altitude at
this point, so we gawkers on the ground had a glorious, lengthy, and
excellent view as the necklace of glistening birds passed overhead.
As they disappeared from view, many of our 'old' friends who had braved
the cold early morning to come to the flyover gathered around to say hi, and
to allow me to collect hugs for my hug bank. Some folks helped to lighten
the load in Erin and my motorhome as they picked up some of their favorite
pieces of OM Gear. Then Linda and I repacked all the merchandise cases and
we too hit the migration trail, enroute to Illinois.
Thanks to Gary and Kay Jones we have photos to share with
you from today's departure and flyover.
Top Left: Brooke starts
off with the group.
Bottom Left: Brooke has one and Richard has the rest.
Bottom Right: Richard with 19.
Date:
November 4,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
POTENTIAL
FLYOVER
Location:
Green Co. WI
Should we be able to fly
tomorrow morning, Green County offers a super
flyover viewing spot for folks interested in witnessing first hand, the
planes and cranes departing Wisconsin for Illinois.
The location is at the top of a hill on County Road N, just north (~1/2
mile) of the intersection of County Roads N and C. Coming along CR N from
the north, the apex of the hill is just past Ron-Hill Lane (on your right).
Coming from the south, if you pass Ron-Hill Lane (on your left) you've gone
a bit too far.
There is no totally off-road parking so safety first please. Be sure
to pull your vehicle as far onto the shoulder
of the road as possible.
If it is 'a go' for a flight, OM's RV will be on site to give viewers an
opportunity to purchase some OM Gear. I will also have an aviation radio
with me so you can hear the pilots' 'chatter' as they take off.
Sunrise is at approximately 6:40AM these mornings so viewers will want to be
in place not much later than that. At the moment, the chance of a flight
tomorrow morning is looking about 60-40.
Date:
November 4,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Bev Paulan
Subject:
Chicks are Growing Before My
Eyes
Location:
Green Co. WI
The chicks are growing before my eyes.
Being 'mama' of 20 juvenile Whooping cranes has many rewards. It can also
make one’s head spin. Right now, I feel as if I am in the middle of a
tornado my head is spinning so fast. The cause of this? How fast 'my babies'
are growing.
I am used to the growth spurts at Patuxent. The chicks, at that young
age, grow approximately 1” a day. You read that right, a whole inch per day.
After two days off, the chicks are barely recognizable. Cute fuzzy little
chicks that could barely walk are running around their pens, gobbling food
on their own. It is stunning to witness.
What still gets me though, is how fast they are maturing at this stage of
the year. It seems that I could put a camera on each chick, and after a day,
I would see the color change from the cinnamon brown, to the brilliant
white. Its not quite that fast, but is certainly not slow. (Photo of 904 to
left)
I took an overnight last week to visit my mom for the last time prior to
leaving town, and when I came back I was literally startled when I did roost
checks that evening. I stood with mouth agape (luckily my hood covered that
silly look) slowly looking from chick to chick. When did they start looking
like adults? I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. It seemed that in the
one night I missed, they all grew up.
One of the interesting aspects of this job is gaining the intimate
knowledge of each chick. Watching personalities that are evident at hatch,
grow and develop as the chick grows. Not only are the colors changing, but
the grace and dignity that is so evident in the adult birds is also growing.
They strut now as much as they hop about. They still play as much as they
did, but much as a ten or eleven year child plays less with their dolls, the
chicks are now being more productive in their play. It is more about
actually catching and eating the food instead of just chasing and playing
with the frog or mouse.
Each bird is developing at their own rate, with the females definitely
maturing faster than the males. At least as far as appearances go. The
development is not age specific, though. 901, albeit our oldest and a
female, does not look the most adult like. She sounds like it however,
actually managing an occasional croak instead of just a peep.
914
(photo to left) is by far the most adult looking. Another female, but the middle
child, she is obtaining her red crown patch already. Barely visible, but
definitely there, the tawny feathers are shedding, revealing the red skin
beneath. 904, our second oldest female, is, and always has been the most
graceful of the flock. Currently, in my opinion, she is the most beautiful.
Her black 'mustache' coupled with her mostly white plumage and fine delicate
legs, make her a real beauty. Breathtaking almost. She looks as elegant as
fine crystal.
929, the youngest, is also one of the largest. He stills tries to stare
me down, but has grown out of his obnoxious, beat up the handler, phase. He
has mixed plumage, typical of his age. No rhyme nor reason as to which brown
feathers shed or where the white ones come in, he has a very mottled look.
927 (photo to right) is not the baby, but certainly looks like it. I always know where he
is because he is still mostly brown. Very few white feathers have grown in
and he still looks very baby-like. He is also one of the quiet ones. Rarely
do we hear him peep. He goes about his daily business quietly, almost shyly.
The year goes fast in spite of the fact that migration doesn’t. The
ageing process goes even faster. On the birds, too, I mean. I look forward
to seeing them each day, to watch the progress, the development. I would
hate to wake up one morning to a flock of white birds, having missed the in
between, the mottled, awkward, croaking 'tween' phase. I love this part of
being a crane mama and treasure each day.
Date:
November 4,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 20
Location:
Green Co. WI
Last evening, our own
personal weather
guru, Chris Gullikson, was convinced the weather would for sure keep us
grounded today - and he was right. The warming temperature, harbinger of the
south winds we now have, and the light rain he said we could expect,
were exactly what we woke to this morning.
Today will be Down Day #1
in Green County.
OM's migration team
expanded by one yesterday afternoon with the arrival of volunteer, Walter
Sturgeon from North Carolina. A migration veteran, we can rely on Walt for
assistance in a multitude of ways, from hauling one of our trailers, to bird
handling, to turning out tummy-warming slow cooker meals. Walt is here to
replace Gerald Murphy, another volunteer team member. They will overlap for
a few days before Gerald bids us and the 2009 migration trail farewell and departs
for his Milton, FL home.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Green County, WI Beer and Cheese: Well known for its cheese, thanks
to the little town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, and Green County in particular,
is also becoming well known for its beer. A recent addition to the little
town with a Swiss influence, is a new brewery. A showplace designed to
resemble an European village, the brewery offers tours and beer tasting.
The per capita consumption of
cheese in the United States in 2007 was 32.7 pounds - seventh in the
world. Greece was first with 82.2 pounds followed by France, 51.9 pounds
and Malta, 49.2 pounds. Canada was 11th in line with 21.2 pounds per
person. Mozzarella and Cheddar are the most popular with their consumption
being almost two-thirds of the total produced.
Date:
November 3,
2009 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WHAT
ABOUT TOMORROW YOU ASK?
Location:
Green Co. WI
From the emails and phone calls that have come in there are lots of folks
anxious to know what the prospects are for a flight tomorrow and a flyover
viewing opportunity. So....I asked our weather guru, Chris Gullikson to look
into his crystal ball for an answer.
According to him, when he looked into
the ball he saw south winds - read headwind - and the likelihood of rain.
When he looked even deeper into the ball, he said, "we don't have even a
remote chance of flying tomnorrow." So there you have it folks - it looks
like we'll be spending the day on the ground tomorrow.
Thursday is another story however, it should bring conditions similar to
those we had for today's flight. With that in mind, in the morning I will
post flyover information for viewers wanting to see the cranes and planes
depart Green County. Need to check out the flyover location one last time
first.
ABOUT THE CRANECAM: WildEarth has confirmed that the problem
people are having (seeing just a white screen) is an Internet Explorer
Version 8 issue, and they are working to resolve it. In the interim, if you
use another browser to connect, such as FireFox, or Chrome, you will be able
to view the broadcast.
Date:
November 3,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
VIEWS
FROM THE FLYOVER
Location:
Green Co. WI
Craniac Karla Ritter emailed to thank us for the, "wonderful viewing this
morning at Ferry Bluff." In Karla's words, "The flyover was magnificent!"
Ferry Bluff has long been a popular spot for flyovers - and due to its
elevation, one that affords one of the most spectacular views of the entire
migration. We even had a Craniac couple who drove there all the way from
Minneapolis in hopes of seeing today's flyby.
Karla was kind enough to share some of her photos with us, so we will
share them with you.
Left: The Wisconsin River as
dawn breaks at Ferry Bluff.
Right: A few of the Craniacs
gathered in anticipation of the
flyover with the Class of 2009.
This photo can't do the excitement of the moment or the
sight folks saw justice, but it does have all 20 birds in it.
Amazing sight - amazing shot! Thank you, Karla.
Date:
November 3, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Richard van Heuvelen
Subject:
LIFE IS
GOOD
Location:
Green Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
Sauk Co. to Green Co. WI -
45.0
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
94.4 Miles
The day dawned crisp, cold, and clear, with a 20 mile an hour WNW wind
aloft, which meant a tailwind. We found the trikes covered in frost so we
had to wait for the sun to come up. While the sun warmed our wings we
prepared for today's flight; adjusting altimeters, entering new destinations
in our GPSs, and strapping backpacks, along with a multitude of other small
tasks that come with flying small aircraft.
One by one we took off into the morning air to be greeted with somewhat
rough air over the trees causing our wings to do what Liz calls a dipsy-doddle.
After deciding we would try a flight with the birds, I landed and taxied
up to the pen. Adjusting the volume on the sound system, I gave the thumbs
up, and Geoff and Erin quickly opened the pen gate and twenty birds came
piling out. Pushing to full throttle we slowly climbed through the trees.
The chicks slowly drifted east, I turned toward them, and then turned
east myself. They followed but at a short distance. Not wanting to back to
the pen area I continued on to the east. They fell farther back but still
followed. We were now over a valley and away from the pen site so I turned
in to them, and as they came up to the trike I turned back on course, headed
for Green County with the entire Class of 2009 nicely formed up off my right
wing tip.
We began a slow climb out of the turbulent air and they settled in to
form a nice long line of well behaved birds. We would find smooth air as we
gained altitude, but eventually the rough air would come up to meet us so we
would climb higher. Periodically, we would encounter more turbulence, and
first the trike, and then each bird would fly through it, creating a wave
through the long line of birds caused first by lift then sink, as we passed
through the rough air.
About 20 miles from our destination all of the birds suddenly charged
ahead of the trike nervously looking to the east. I looked but I could not
see anything. But they were clearly bothered by something out there. After
almost caving my chest in with the control bar, I finally got ahead of them
again. They began to settle down and then they all resumed their long line
off my right wing with the exception of 912. He moved over to my left wing
and so we carried on.
With our destination field looming into sight, we began a slow descent.
Last evening, having promised our Stopover Hotsts a good show, we circled
the farm two or three times as we spiraled down to land.
After putting up the birds in their pen, Brooke and I flew to the runway
down below - but not before doing the 'happy dance' in the sky. On landing,
we found our hosts very happy and excited about our arrival. If we were
greeting with such happy faces every where we went we would truly be
blessed. And, then they fed us homemade soup, sandwiches and cookies. Life
is good!
Date:
November 3, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day #19 - AND WE
FLEW!
Location:
Green Co. WI
Clear skies and 28F at 4am this morning headed for a forecast high of 47F.
Light winds - 2mph WNW on the surface. At 3000 feet the wind was clipping
along at 20 t0 25 mph. As the early morning minutes ticked away toward
sunrise (6:36am), the wind velocity, both on the surface and aloft, racheted
up. Oh -oh not looking too good.
But then, as sunrise approached, everyone
felt a flight was a possibility. Places please! We watched and waited while
two of the trikes that had not as yet had their Zoom wings replaced by the
North Wings, de-frosted. Our wing covers don't fit the old Zoom wings
(slower so used for summer flight training), so two trikes were ready to fly
and two were not.
Eventually all the trikes were in the air and Richard, today's lead pilot
landed at the pen to pick up the Class of 2009. All 20 blasted out of the
pen and in a flash were in the air behind Richard's trike. And, despite some
'dipsy-doodling' (description to come in Richard's lead pilot report) that's
where they stayed - - right behind Richard all the way to the pen waiting
for them in Green County!
All the planes and cranes are safely on the ground here in Green County,
and the rest of the team is on the road making their way here.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Green County, WI Monroe, the county seat of Green County, is known as the Swiss Cheese
Capital of the World. Wisconsin has several other distinguished communities
worthy of "Capital" status. They are:
• Sheboygan, the Bratwurst Capital of the World.
• Wausau, the Ginseng Capital of the World.
• Mount Horeb, the Troll Capital of the World.
• Eagle River, the Snowmobile Capital of the World.
• Green Bay, the Toilet Paper Capital of the World.
• Somerset, the Inner Tubing Capital of the World.
• Mercer, the Loon Capital of the World.
• Bloomer, the Jump Rope Capital of the World.
• Sturgeon Bay, the Shipbuilding Capital of the Great Lakes.
• Potosi, the Catfish Capital Wisconsin.
Date:
November 3,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Craniac Kids Whooping Crane
Activity Booklet
Location:
Sauk Co. WI
OM’s Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Booklet is off to
a running start. Orders have been pouring in from teachers throughout the
country, and our hard working volunteer shippers, the sister team of Darlene Lambert
and
Cindy Loken, have been sending them out as fast as they come in.
The fun and educational Activity Booklet was produced with the hope of
getting young people interested not just in Whooping cranes, but also in
wildlife conservation. Recipient teachers’ comments have been both favorable and
flattering.
If you are an educator and would like complimentary copies for
your students, please
click here to
place your order, or call toll free:
1-800-675-2618.
The Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Booklet is also now available to
individuals for purchase. Visit the Merchandise Page to order copies for the
children in your life. While the activities and puzzles are geared to
Grades 4 through 7, younger students will enjoy it as a coloring book, and,
with a little help from an adult, be able to do most of the quizzes.
Darlene works on filling teacher's orders.
Now THAT's a day's work!
Cindy counts out booklets for an order.
Date:
November 2,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FLYOVER
OPPORTUNITY?
Location:
Sauk Co. WI
While the weather latest models are now showing stronger winds aloft that
had previously been projected - maybe too strong - we are still hopeful for
a flight from Sauk to Green County tomorrow morning.
If you are
interesting in a flyover viewing opportunity – it will be at Ferry Bluff.
(See today’s Entry 1 below for directions).
Please remember that we are at the mercy of the weather, and should winds
be unfavorable, the cranes and planes will not take off. This means of
course you might make the early morning trip for naught. Also keep in mind
that the behavior of the birds can dictate the flight path, and the pilots
and their charges could end up miles off our intended/hoped for course.
If you ARE planning on heading to Ferry Bluff in the morning you will
want to be on site around 6:45 to 7:00am. The morning temp is forecast to be
27F. Dress warmly!!
Date:
November 2,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Brooke Pennypacker
Subject:
A BROOKE
'SPECIAL'
Location:
Sauk Co. WI
Note: Here's a special Down Day treat for Field Journal readers; an entry
from Brooke about the activity and flight made on Tuesday, October 27th.
The morning of October 27th began out at the site with the mournful call of
that lonesome train whistle blowin’ through the darkness. All I needed was a
good ol’ dog, a pickup truck, and a cheatin’ wife and I would have had the
makings of my very own original country song. “Nashville, here I come…after
migration, that is.”
But I may not have to wait for my ‘Train Whistle Reward.” A local bar
which happens to be situated next to the railroad tracks has an ongoing
special of 25 cent shots of the liquor of your choice every time a train
goes by. In fact, a local entrepreneur put his son through four years of
Harvard by selling train schedules at the door, operating under the age old
assumption that where there is noise, there is profit. Just listen to a
Session of Congress if you don’t believe me.
But here we fly to the sound of a different drummer; in our case the
sound of the wing beats a Whooping Crane makes as it flaps its way to
Florida, and the time has come for us to turn up the volume.
The rain, with its ceilings so low they touched the ground, had for days
pounded our spirits into depression, and turned the bird pen into something
resembling an Olympic sized pool, necessitating the hiring of a has-been
actor from “Baywatch” to spend his daylight hours sitting on a stand holding
a sign which said, “We don’t swim in your toilet, please don’t --- in our
pool!” But as any Realtor will tell you, it’s all about “Location, Location
Location,” and waterfront property ain’t half bad if you’re a crane.
It was my turn to lead on the leg from Juneau to South Juneau County, not
because of our rotation, but because I had worked for years as a commercial
diver and knew all the words to the Beetle’s song, “ We All Live In A Yellow
Submarine.” So as dawn broke, I found myself sitting in the trike as near to
the pen as the water would allow, my seat made lumpy and uncomfortable by
all the question marks that filled it.
Just how well would these birds fly after days punctuated by fits and
starts? But as anyone who has ever faced a firing squad knows, there is
great exhilaration and hope in uncertainty, and as Bev, Erin and Geoff
executed the release, the morning’s drama began to unfold.
The birds blasted free of the pen and launched themselves skyward with
all the pent up enthusiasm of a paroled convict on his first date. And, as
expected, the morning’s rodeo began in earnest. I was soon away with first
nine, then seven birds - as the three other trikes moved in an attempt to
impose order in the ranks and practice the art of aerial persuasion with the
others.
With the usual effort, our little group made it a little more than
halfway to the next Stopover site only to have one bird pull away and soon
take the others with it which would necessitate another roundup and a
lecture by me punctuated with four letter words only I could hear.
Meanwhile, Joe had picked up three birds that were heading back to the
refuge and climbed them so high I thought he had previously arranged a
rendezvous with the space shuttle as he headed for the next site. Then I
heard Richard call out that he had landed back at the pen with seven birds.
Then Bev, after seeing the birds and realizing they had plenty of energy
still left in them, radioed Richard and encouraged him to give it another
try. So Richard, never one to give up without a fight, blasted off skyward
again, his seven charges obediently following, this time at tree top level.
Before long I heard him announce he had made it to the next site but
because the birds just wouldn’t climb he had to fly under a tractor trailer,
through some guy’s cellar and under a clothesline while the lady of the
house was hanging out her wash. I gave him an invisible High Five at the
news, which in my case is a High Four and a Half.
Off my own wing, order had returned as my seven flew beautifully in line.
All went well until a large military aircraft appeared seemingly out of
nowhere and occupied a nearby piece of sky , putting an end to my little
party. Four birds broke off in panic and headed towards a nearby military
base with all the patriotism of WWII enlistees who just got the news of
Pearl Harbor. Although three birds remained dutifully on my wing, the
prospect of later having to recover those four wayward angels held little
appeal, so we turned, and with all the speed the trike could produce,
finally caught up to the four and turned them back toward our starting
point.
On the way, another bird appeared from the east and we picked him up,
then another appeared going somewhere from the west, and we collected him
also. Soon we were on the ground right where the morning adventure had
begun, but at least my seat was more comfortable, the questions answered.
Bev, Erin and Geoff quickly returned these nine to the pen and I got
airborne to look for a missing bird, little 925.
Soon the search began in earnest with Brian and Marianne Wellington in
the tracking van, Bev and Erin in the truck, Richard in his trike equipped
with a tracking receiver was on the way, and the rest of us trike drivers
squinting hard against the countryside below.
It must be noted here that Richard, on his own initiative, had spent a
good deal of time this summer fitting our his trike with the necessary
tracking equipment and practicing his tracking skills in anticipation of
just such a scenario as the one we now faced. So it was no surprise to any
of us that Richard soon skillfully homed in on the bird. He directed Brian
and Marianne down a dirt road to his location where they retrieved him none
the worse for wear. Another High Four and a Half for Richard!
We all breathed a collective sigh of relief and I headed back to the
airfield. The ten birds would continue their migration to Stopover Site #2
in boxes, which prompted some soon to be t-shirt mogul to coin the name,
“Operation Boxation.”. It could have been, “Operation MiCratetion,” had our
boxes looked a bit more like crates.
The important thing is simply that all the birds ended the day safely at
the next stop. And besides, it’s like Joe Botchagalloup, the Poet Laureate
of my native state of New Jersey always says, “The toughest part of a long
journey is bending over to tie your shoes.” Or was it, “The hardest part of
stripping a car is prying off the first hub cap?” Something like that
anyway. You get the idea.
But seriously, if any of you are looking for a “Lead Pilot” to take you
on a flight to “Nowhere” and if you are not bothered in the least that your
trip will end exactly where it began, then don’t waste those Frequent Flyer
Miles on a major airline that will only charge you extra for any bag larger
than a pack of playing cards and that will fly you a hundred and fifty miles
or so past your destination in a transparent attempt to relieve you of some
of those valuable Frequent Flyer Miles it took you so long to convince your
ex-brother-in-law to gift you. Just call me toll free at
1-800-You-Can’t-Get-There-From-Here. I’m definitely your man!
Meanwhile, while I await your call, I’ll be heading back to camp to look
for my train schedule….for I have “miles to go before I sleep.”
Date:
November 2,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day #18
Location:
Sauk Co. WI
Too bad we can't fly in the dark. Just before 4am CST the thermometer
outside our motorhome read a pleasant 44F and the only thing moving was me.
Not a bit of wind stirred the leaves.
That slowly but surely changed, as
it usually does as dawn approaches. Degree by partial degree the temperature
dropped and the wind picked up. By 6am NE winds had swung around to come out
of the WNW and were blowing strongly enough to give voice and life to the
leaves; ~6mph on the surface and 25mph aloft.
After yesterday's elation at a successful migration leg, the unfortunate
reality today is that it will be Down Day #1 in Sauk County, WI.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Sauk County, WI Taliesin, the summer home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is located
in Spring Green, WI. Wright began building the home in 1911 on land that was
settled by his maternal family during the Civil War. The family was Welsh,
so Wright named the home after the Welsh bard Taliesin, whose name means
"Shining Brow."
Twice destroyed by fire, the current version, named Taliesin III, was
completed in 1925. Wright used the house as an experiment in his philosophy
of organic architecture, continuously changing it. Organic architecture
strives to integrate space into a unified whole, and Wright believed that
every building should grow naturally from its environment.
In 1940, he formed the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and, upon his death
in 1959, ownership of Taliesin passed into its hands. The entire estate is
designated a national historic landmark.
Date:
November 2, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
FLYOVERS & SAUK CO FLYOVER
Location:
Sauk Co. WI
Over the past week, dozens upon dozens of messages have been coming to our
info@ email address inquiring about opportunities to see the Class of 2009
along the migration route. To forestall more inquiries, here is the story…
It is my hope to host as many, if not more departure flyovers on this fall’s
migration as last year. With luck, there will have been no changes of
consequence on the landscape at last year’s flyover locations, and we will
be able to use the same ones again this year.
As we reach each Stopover, I will be checking out the previously used
locations to be sure they are still viable, but keep in mind that in most,
if not all cases, this can only be done a day or two in advance at best. As
usual, I will post the location and directions to each flyover viewing site
in advance of each departure, here in the Field Journal.
Meeting folks at flyovers is almost as exciting for us as it is for you
to get a personal look at the Class of 2009 being led by our ultralights.
New to OM’s Migration crew this year are husband and wife team, David and
Linda Boyd of Rhinelander, WI. David will be driving one of our vehicles for
us, and Linda will be assisting me with outreach and at flyovers. She and I
are hoping for even larger turnouts at flyovers this season.
Please note:In order to protect the birds and our stopover
hosts’ property and privacy, we never reveal our stopover locations beyond
the county level. To ensure WCEP’s isolation protocols are observed, there
is NO accessibility or opportunity to view or photograph the young Whooping
cranes in the Class of 2009 other than at flyovers.
Keep in mind too, that because our ability to advance each day is entirely
weather dependant, we never know where we will be when….or, is that, when we
will be where? To give you some idea of the unpredictability of this, check
out our Migration Timeline page. This webpage shows the progress - that is, the
date we arrived and departed all Stopovers on every migration since 2001.
By following our progress (or lack thereof) in the entries we post to the
Field Journal on a daily basis, you will be able to determine when there is
potential for a flyover viewing day in your area.
FIRST FLYOVER FOR 2009
If you don’t mind an early morning start and would like an opportunity to
see the Class of 2009 flyover on their way from Stopover #3 in Sauk County
to Stopover #4 in Green County, WI, here is the information on the flyover
viewing site.
The viewing location is Ferry Bluff State Natural Area. It is situated on
the Wisconsin River, just southeast of Sauk City. Directions: From
the intersection of Highways 60 and 12 west of Sauk City, go west on Highway
60 ~4.4 miles, then south on Ferry Bluff Road ~1.1 miles to a parking area
and canoe landing at the end of the road. A trail leads to the top of Cactus
Bluff (300ft), a spot which usually provides spectacular views of the cranes
and planes as they pass by.
Please bear in mind that we cannot guarantee you will witness the
flyover. The flight should pass by this viewing site, however, should
the young cranes initially be reluctant fall into place behind the aircraft,
it could take some time (and distance) to gather them up and get back on
course. This could result in a deviation from the intended flight path and
unfortunately is beyond our control.
Also keep in mind that weather always is a factor. We seldom know right
up until the last minute whether we will be able to fly on any given day.
This is the reason why we cannot pinpoint the date or time any flyover will
occur. We will TRY to give everyone a heads-up in the Field Journal the
night before, once we've had a chance to check the evening’s forecast for
the morning’s weather conditions.
If you're planning on being at Ferry Bluff, please also remember that
weather permitting, the flight will get underway shortly after sunrise
(approximately 6:45am) and it normally progresses at ~35-40 mph. If we
should be fortunate enough to find a tailwind, the speed could increase so
it's best to plan on being at Ferry Bluff within 10 to 15 minutes of
sunrise. Don’t forget to dress appropriate to the weather!!
Date:
November 1, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY #17 = STOPOVER #3
Location:
Sauk Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
S. Juneau Co. to Sauk Co. WI -
26.4
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
49.4 Miles
This will have to be a very quick update. We have a ton of work ahead of
us moving camp, and basically getting mobile for the first time this
year...and the Packers play Minnesota at 3pm!!
The winds were calm this morning with a mid-level stratus cloud deck that
would help block the sun and limit thermal activity. Once aloft we found a
headwind of about 8mph to 1000 feet above the ground but the air was mostly
smooth so we decided to give it a try.
The pen sits in a pseudo box canyon with only one way out pointing to the
west. After landing, and giving the ground crew the signal to open the pen
doors, we were blasting off to the west with most of the birds coming out
well and flying well.
The plan was to continue west, and then cut south around a hill and head
on course. The cranes of course did not know what the plan was, and decided
to turn north away from me. I gave chase and soon had them back on course, 6
on the wing and 12 others lagging behind but still following.
Two had come out the pen a little late [901 and 905] and Brooke moved in
to pick up these stragglers. When I made my turn south on course the 6 birds
as well as the group of 12 still a good ways back stayed with me. I could
have made a turn to pick up the 12, but didn't want to give the birds any
excuse to turn back and begin a rodeo. As the 12 continued to fall further
back, Richard moved in and picked them up.
We flew on; Brooke with the two stragglers
(photo to right), Richard with 12, and me with 6.
We climbed past a light area of turbulence at 1000 feet to about 1500 feet
above the ground. With the headwind, our groundspeed was only about 22mph,
but the air remained smooth and the birds were flying well.
Our flying time with the birds lasted about 55 minutes and they all
looked great when we finally coaxed them down at our destination in Sauk
County.
The TrikeCam seems to have worked well this morning. Click the following
link to review the archived
footage.
We have a cold front moving through tomorrow, that could bring us some light
rain and winds, so our next flight could happen on Tuesday.
Date:
November 1, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
BREAKING
NEWS 8:40am CST-ish
Location:
Sauk Co, WI
It appears as if the cranes and planes are coming in to circle the pen at
Stopover #3 in Sauk County - and - it appears as if they have all 20 birds.
No doubt you'll be as anxious as I am to read the lead pilot's report of
today's flight.
Tune in later this afternoon. Note that it could be quite
late this afternoon before it can be written and posted. Everyone now has to
drive back to the refuge, pack up, disconnect, and secure our motorhomes,
hook up trucks and vans to trailers, clean up and break camp, drive the 60
road miles back to our new camp site, and then get set up there.
Date:
November 1,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PRELIMINARY REPORT
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
At 31F, it was colder yet this morning. Surface winds were practically
non-existent, but what little there was, came from the SSW. Aloft, the winds
were mostly westerly. The aviation reports gave pilots 4 miles of visibility
and a broken cloud cover at a 13,000 foot ceiling. The birds had the cold
temp they prefer for flying. This was the most promising weather we’d had in
the past four days.
By 6:20am, camp was deserted. The ground crew had left to get into
position for a potential release, and the pilots, including top cover, were
enroute to the hangar. With last evening's time change, official sunrise
this morning was 6:36am CST, and the pilots wanted to be ready to put up a
test trike for a first hand investigation of conditions. If the test trike
pilot found conditions were such that a flight was doable, or even worth an
attempt, the rest of the pilots could be in the air within a matter of
minutes.
Once aloft, the aviation radio crackled and Richard was heard saying, “I
have turbulence at 1,300 feet”. All four trikes went aloft to check the
conditions at various altitudes. As the scene played out over the radio, we
heard the pilots report headwinds of 5 to 7mph. Then, as the crackle of
radio went quiet, a splatter of rain drops took its place - but thankfully
ended within minutes.
At 7:21am CST, after nail-biting minutes that seemed like hourrrrs, word
came that they had launched. Chris was aloft with 18 - which where breaking
up - while Brooke was back at the pen with two birds.
Gotta get going, so that's as much as I can convey in this post folks.
For further news - hopefully that we've successfully flown the migration leg
to Sauk County - check back here later.
A NOTE ABOUT THE CRANECAM The cellular aircard we use to broadcast the live video feed limits the
amount of data we can stream per month. As a result, on 'Down Days' during
the migration, the CraneCam will broadcast live for approximately 3 hours
each morning beginning shortly after sunrise. On 'Fly Days', once the
departure has been broadcast, the CraneCam will be shut down so it can be
moved to the next Stopover location. Circumstances will dictate whether live
video will be again be available later that day. In all instances, when the
CraneCam is not broadcasting live, it will play archived video clips.
To watch live video broadcasts via our CraneCam or to view archived video
clips click here or the "Live
CraneCam" graphic to the right.
Date:
October 31,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
SAY 'SO
LONG' TO BRIAN AND 'HELLO' TO CHARLIE
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
Today we will lose one crew member and at the same time gain another.
Seconded to OM’s Migration Team by the Patuxent Wildlife Research Centre,
Brian Clauss, Biological Science Technician (BST), will leave us today when
his replacement, Charlie Shafer, also a BST arrives. Surely we can get
Charlie further south than we managed to do with Brian. (smile)
Both Brian and Charlie
have joined us to help with migration duties for several years. In the past,
they have shared the ‘Patuxent position’. They would either switch off at
the migration halfway point mile-wise, or at a guesstimated halfway point
date-wise. From year to year, they would flip back and forth – one doing the
top end of the route one year, and the bottom end of the route the next.
This year, Patuxent is sending crew on a different rotation to help us. They
will be coming and going in two week shifts.
Charlie will relieve Brian today, and then in two weeks time he in turn
will be relieved by Sharon Marroulis, BST. Jane Chandler, Patuxent’s Flock
Manager, will take over from Sharon, followed Robert Doyle, BST. As does
Brian, Robert also spends part of each summer here in Wisconsin with the
Flight Training team.
If we are
still on migration after Christmas, Brian Clauss will return to duty, and if
necessary, Brian's better half, Barb Clauss, BST, will take over from him.
That schedule covers from now until January 23rd, and as much as we enjoy
having the Patuxent Crane Crew with us, we’re hoping our progress is such
that at least some of them will be able to remain in Maryland to enjoy the
comforts of home instead of the rigors of the road.
Date:
October 31, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WIND-CONSIN
OR WET-CONSIN?
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
Last year, for obvious reasons, we took to calling the Dairy State,
'Wind-consin'. This year however, 'Wet-consin' has been struggling mightily
to wrest away the title - and it may be winning. Yet another fight broke out
between them last evening as Wind fought Wet in a titanic battle that raged
on through the night.
Wind was in a vile mood. Spoil sport that it is, it was determined to rob
all deciduous trees of any remnants of their fall glory, and screaming and
howling, it pushed the envelope. As it freight-trained through camp, it
carried with it the whip-crack sound of breaking branches, and the
swish/thud of their descent and hard landing. Wet, not to be outdone,
stepped up its efforts, gradually turning its rooftop pitter-patter to an
incessant loud, get-on-your-nerves, rat-tat-tat. (Believe me, when your bed
is a cab-over bunk with your nose ~18" from the roof, it IS loud.)
And, like two adolescents muscle flexing and showing off, Wind and Wet
double-teamed us. While Wind ferociously heaved and rocked us, Wet ensured
we were kept captive by pounding down with force; promising an immediate and
thorough drenching if one dared to take even one step outside. Now, with
dawn approaching they seem to both be slowly slinking away. Are they afraid
of the light? Perhaps they are part vampire... It is All Hallows Eve after
all.
Nothing will change in time, or sufficiently, to save the day for the
cranes and planes though. Today will be Down Day #4 in South Juneau
County - and we puppets of the weather gods will be making another wardrobe
adjustment. While yesterday at 4:30am it was a toasty 58F, there was a 21
degree difference at the same time this morning; 37F. It will be off with
the t-shirts and on with the sweatshirts.
To see where we stood in the greater scheme of things I borrowed Chris
G's crystal ball to look back in time. Before this season, the latest it has
ever been when we departed South Juneau County was last year, 2008, - and
that occurred on October 28. Hmm, three days off the pace - not so bad I
guess. Yes, I know....it's also nothing to cheer about. But at this point,
we have to focus on every positive we can.
And perhaps we can take some small consolation in knowing we aren’t the
only ones off to a slow start this migration season. Vicki Muller, Wildlife
Refuge Specialist at the Aransas National Wildlife refuge reported in the
Victoria Advocate (a Texas newspaper), that the Wood Buffalo/Aransas
population is also behind schedule.
So far, just two Whooping cranes from that flock have arrived on the
Aransas refuge. Vicki noted that while the approaching cold front should
soon prompt more movement, to date, most of the sightings of birds in the
western population have come from North Dakota and Nebraska. These Whoopers,
like us, still have a long way to go.
Date:
October 30, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
LOOKING
INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
If you have been following our story, you likely know that weather is the
critical component to our ability to fly with the cranes. The ideal
conditions that we look for are no winds at the surface and a very gentle
north wind aloft.
The birds fly best when the air is cold and dry. A cold
frontal passage with gentle high pressure building in from the west is what
we look for. We fly light aircraft that are susceptible to turbulence and
they tend to dance about in 'trashy' air as we call it. The birds get a
benefit from the vortex of air that is generated off the wingtips, and they
need to be very close and in tight formation with each other to benefit from
this lift. They become reluctant to follow us if they cant 'lock onto the
wing', and usually break off and go back to the pen if we push our weather
tolerance.
As I said, high pressure building in behind a cold front can bring us the
ideal weather that we are looking for. Air rotates clockwise around an area
of high pressure, skies are generally clear, and the atmosphere is stable.
Once the high pressure has passed us to the east, the winds turn southerly
and we are faced with a headwind situation.
If the air is smooth enough, and the headwind not too strong, say 10mph
or so, and the birds have been flying well with us...we can sometimes get
them to fly into a headwind situation. They are smart, and know that it
takes a lot more energy to force their way into a headwind, and they likely
turn back to the pen knowing that a better day is coming.
So when is the next fly day? Looking into the crystal ball - otherwise
known as computer weather models - my guess is Tuesday for the best weather
scenario.
We have an area of very low pressure over southern Minnesota that will be
deepening and moving to the northeast across Hudson Bay in northern Ontario.
A cold front sweeps through Wisconsin late tonight with high pressure
building in across Missouri and southern Illinois late Saturday.
The winds will be much too strong for us on Saturday morning with strong
cold air being advected from the north in the tight pressure gradient
created by the departing low pressure system. Sunday does show some promise
of calm air, but the high pressure center is forecast to be south of us, and
the models are already showing light south winds across southern WI. We will
likely be ready to fly on Sunday morning and will test the air by putting a
trike up and measuring the actual headwind.
Wind usually always veers with height - the southerly headwind becomes a
crosswind as the winds veer from more of a westerly direction giving us a
better groundspeed. If the winds veer at a low enough altitude, and the
cranes are willing to plow into a bit of a headwind - then Sunday may be our
day for the next flight.
Tuesday looks to be more of an ideal day with gentle high pressure still
out to the west giving us calm winds and a light tailwind. This is a crystal
ball however, computer models, while quite sophisticated, cannot fully
predict the future for something as complicated as weather.
Date:
October 30,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ZERO
MILES TODAY
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
We’re breaking out the shorts and tees. Well before sunrise it was already
58F and the forecast is for a high of 67F by mid afternoon. Yes, that
unfortunately means south winds, southeast to be exact, and when you add
that component to the drizzle that’s falling off and on, the inevitable
outcome is Down Day #3 in South Juneau County, WI.
Hope springs eternal
however. Although some improvement is needed, Saturday and Sunday do hold
out some promise.
In other Whooping crane news, the Direct Autumn Release (DAR) birds were
released from Site 3 on the Necedah refuge last Saturday. ICF’s Marianne
Wellington said they were released in small groups at several locations
around the refuge where adults and sub-adult Whoopers were known to
habituate. Hopefully they will associate with the older birds, and
eventually, follow them when they initiate their southward migration. Click
the link to be taken to the
ICF site
to read the latest update on the DAR birds.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
SOUTH
JUNEAU COUNTY, WI
The village of Wonewoc is the midpoint of the 400 Trail, one of the area's
many trails used by bikers, hikers, horseback riders and snowmobile
enthusiasts. The name “Wonewoc” is of Native American origin; probably means
"howling hills".
George and Lucinda Willard first settled the area in 1851. The town was
incorporated as a village in 1878 and once the railroad was built, village
growth exploded. The end of the railroad era halted Wonewoc’s growth. It is
now a quiet, scenic town, with a population less than a thousand largely of
German descent.
Wonewoc's location on the Baraboo River makes it attractive for canoeing
and kayaking, as are the nearby lakes, Dutch Hollow and Lake Redstone which
offers fishing, swimming, and other water sports.
Date:
October 29,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
CHALLENGES MET!
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
We're delighted to be able to tell you that the two MileMaker challenges
recently issued have been met. Along with the Class of 2009, the entire OM
team sends our sincere gratitude!
Denice Steinmann from Illinois issued a 100 mile challenge, and
just like champs, many of you stepped up to the plate and met it -
doubling the value of your contribution in the process. And Annelise
Jorgensen's (of Canada) 10 mile challenge which happily was for NEW
MileMakers - was also met. Thanks to Denice, Annelise, and all you good
folk, MileMaker has been bumped to 793 miles - just 492 short of a total
sponsorship!
In previous years, more often than not we anxiously watched as we
approached the point where the sponsored miles ended, worriedly looking at
how much of the migration route we had yet to cover - and the miles that
remained unfunded.
This year is wonderfully strange. While we are seemingly nailed to the
ground here in central Wisconsin, you terrific Craniac MileMakers are
galloping ahead of us.
At the rate you - and those you are encouraging to become sponsors - are
going perhaps you will make our year and have MileMaker fully sponsored
before we manage to escape wet and windy Wisconsin. Now wouldn't THAT be
something to WHOOP! about?!?
Date:
October 29,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
Camp Life
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
Living with a group of people in close-quarters for an extended (and
unknown) period of time has its challenges. Meals are usually left up to the
individual with the exception of dinner when we try to cram into the Sierra
trailer, which is the largest of our (not yet) roving entourage of RV’s.
It’s normally occupied by Joe, who gets the big bed at the front and Geoff,
who will soon be joined by Walter to share the bunk room at the back.
In
the middle is a kitchen/living room area which seats four comfortably, but
often sees 12 to 14 hungry people crammed into it. Dinnertime becomes a game
of passing the salt and pepper-- around and over everyone, and then
carefully circumnavigating your way to the sink to rinse and stack dishes
and cutlery for those that have volunteered for clean-up duty.
The fridge in the Sierra is not large enough to hold all that is needed
to feed the crew for more than a day or two so groceries are often spread
out amongst all of our refrigerators. As a result, someone is always looking
for something and it takes extra time to prepare meals as you have to forage
for the necessary ingredients.
Laundry is another challenge we face daily. Most RV’s do not offer a
great deal of storage space so it’s wise to not pack too much, yet when it’s
cold outside, layers are the way to go, so it becomes a balancing act. Pack
enough to stay warm and so that you’ll always have a change of clothes in
case you get caught in the rain but not too much because you wont have space
to store it.
We’re fortunate while still here at the Necedah Refuge in that we have a
full size washer and dryer that we purchased in 2003. They are in the
building referred to as “The Annex,” which also houses 3 offices for refuge
staff so we must be considerate and only use them on evenings and weekends.
If one plays their cards just right and gets their laundry in first, it will
inevitably make its way into the dryer and will even be folded if you just
happen to forget you were doing laundry in the first place – Nobody wants to
be known as the person that took clothes out of the dryer to put theirs in,
and didn’t fold them!
There are also two bathrooms in the Annex – complete with showers.
Because of the number of folks using them, one has to strategically plan
their visits. Thankfully, I’m an early riser so I’m often the first one in
each morning.
This is the sixth migration for me and over the years I’ve learned some
important ‘Camp-life Lessons’:
1. The propane bottle will always run out in the middle of the night
2. If there is even a glimmer of a possibility that you might be able to
migrate on any given day – do NOT have that second cup of coffee
3. Heed your mothers advice and “go” before you get on the road
4. Carry tissues in your pocket in case you forget number 2 or 3
5. Pilots aren’t very good at navigating on the ground
6. Things DO go bump in the night
7. Field mice are cute but can find there way into any RV, no matter how
much tinfoil you cram into the crevices: case in point when Chris was
awakened a couple nights ago by one chewing on his hair
8. Joe will always lose at least one glove during a migration
9. Batteries never last as long as they’re supposed to – have spares
10. Meteorologists are liars
Date:
October 29,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 14 - DOWN DAY #2 IN S. JUNEAU COUNTY
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
Apologies for the late posting, but connectivity, or at least sustaining
connectivity, has been an issue this morning. As you will have surmised from
the subject line, we will not be migrating today.
The rustle of leaves and
the whipping sound of tree branches could be heard without stepping foot
outside this morning. The temperature has heated up - 52F here but we have
gusty ESE winds even on the ground, and aloft they are also blowing strongly
- and the wrong way.
Brian, Geoff and Erin are on their way to the pensite to take advantage
of being on the ground to de-worm the birds. Happily for the chicks, this
means smelts.
Date:
October 28,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Class of 2009
Subject:
WE WANT
PUMPKINS!!
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
We're sending a shout out to local Craniacs and Field Journal readers. We
LOVE pumpkins - and sometimes our costumed handlers don't have any for us.
Today they said they had no more left ...sob.
Do you have any pumpkins you
might like to donate to us - or know of someone who would? If you do, we
sure would be glad to hear from you. It would be great if you had some
pumpkins and were willing to deliver them to us, but if you live not too far
from Necedah or Mauston, we know if we WHOOPED loud enough, a couple of
costumes would go and pick them up for us.
When we have pumpkins to play with and to eat we're not so bored being
stuck here in the pen waiting until we can fly. The costumes call it
'enrichment', but we just call it 'having fun'. Please, can we have
pumpkins...please please, please?
For the first time in recent memory we took off Tuesday morning into smooth
air. We covered the five miles from the hangar to the first stop with mixed
expectations, alternating between optimism and dread.
Because of standing
water on the makeshift runway Brooke was only able to use half the field, so
he circled once to allow the birds to catch up. On his first turn two of
them broke and headed north with such determination there was no mistaking
their destination. It was as if they had been waiting a week for the gate to
open and you could not have drawn a straighter line back to the refuge.
I was a thousand feet up and staying out of the way so as to not disturb
any of the birds Brooke was trying to gather. I followed the two returnees
until I was sure I could drop down without drawing attention. I was
descending from above and behind them and I watched a line of five trucks
heading east along highway 21 as they headed north.
As if on cue, the trucks roared past just as the birds were about to
cross over the highway. The spectacle was too much for them and they turned
south again. Slightly shaken, and with their retreat cut off, they were
happy to see the familiar aircraft and they formed on the wing.
Richard and Chris had joined Brooke but none of them were having much
luck. From the radio chatter it sounded like birds were flying in all
directions, and one of the strays spotted the two birds off my wing and it
formed up as well.
We headed downwind to the east and made a wide arc around the rodeo that
was taking place at the first Stopover Site. Once we were a few miles away,
we turned on heading and began to climb. The wind was from the southwest so
the farther east we travelled the more we had to fight our way upwind to get
back on course.
We were flying through the air at 40 miles per hour, but because of the
headwind we were covering ground at only 28. But the air was smooth and all
three birds were simply gliding on the wake created by the wing so we
started to climb. At 3,000 feet (by far the highest these birds have ever
been) our ground speed was up to 32mph. The interstate is just north of our
destination and we stayed high so the traffic wouldn’t scatter them. Then
began the long slow descent. We circled several times keeping the birds on
the wing and eventually landed after one hour and eight minutes.
Throughout all of this Brooke managed to coax several birds half way to
the destination, but they kept turning back. The passing of a very low KC
135 jet from the local military base was the last straw, and all the birds
headed home.
Richard had another seven birds and he kept them low where the headwind
wasn’t as strong. When it was his turn to cross the interstate he found a
stand of trees that obscured the traffic until the last moment. The bird
exploded upward when they finally saw the rush of truck just beneath them,
but by that time it was behind them and they soon settled down.
By mid morning we had ten birds in the pen at Stopover Site #2 and we
headed back to look for 925 who had gone down in some trees a few miles from
our starting point. After circling for 30 minutes it was finally spotted,
and the ground crew were directed in to collect it.
After almost 3 hours we returned to the airport. Then we spent the rest
of the afternoon crating the remaining ten birds to the new site. Part of
the crew disassembled the pen and moved it to Stopover Site #3 in Sauk
County.
By sunset everything was in place just in case today, Wednesday, would be
another good day.
Date:
October 28, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY #13
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
0
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
23 Miles
With the exception of wrong way winds the components for a fly day were
there. The winds on the ground were even cooperating, but aloft, it was
another story.
As we all formed up the 'morning circle' in the parking lot, everyone's eyes
kept turning upwards to check the tree tops. As dawn approached, the rustle
of leaves became more pronounced and the movement of the tree branches
increased. A final check of the aviation weather sites revealed our fate for
today was sealed. We're earthbound.
The Down Day count restarted today.
Date:
October 27, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
925 FOUND
Location:
S. Juneau Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
Juneau Co. to S. Juneau Co. WI -
18
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
23 Miles
Not long ago Bev reported that 925 had been located and they were walking
him to where they have left a crate to transport him in. At this juncture,
we are unsure if he was going to be taken back to Stopover #1, or ahead to
Stopover #2.
As of right now, the pilots and top cover are back here in
camp, after stopping at the hangar to put together more of our special
crates we use to box the birds. Three crates are already enroute to the
pensite, and once boxed, three of the birds will make the trip to Stopover
Site #2 by road.
Joe and Brooke have just pulled out with the balance of the crates and
will box up the remaining birds at Stopover Site #1. After that is
accomplished and the birds are gone, Richard and Chris, who, with Jack and
Gerald pulled out right behind them, will go in and tear down the pen. The
mobile pen trailer will then be hauled to Stopover Site #3 in Sauk County
and set up there.
Tomorrow is another day - and appears to offer another chance to fly.
Maybe tomorrow is the day the Class of 2009 will 'get its act together.'
Date:
October 27, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
QUICK
UPDATE
Location:
Juneau & S. Juneau Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
Juneau Co. to S. Juneau Co. WI - ?
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
? Miles
After some problems – wind or bird related I don’t yet know which, Joe
managed to lead three birds to Stopover Site #2.
There was some debate
over the aviation radio about returning to Stopover #1 as some of the other
birds were getting tired (suspect there had been a rodeo), but the pilots
turned back on course for one more try. The one more try worked as Richard
was successful at leading seven more to the S. Juneau pensite, while Bev
reported that nine were back in the pen at Stopover Site #1.
3 + 7 + 9 = 19, so the pilots and ground crew are doing a ‘beak count’ –
checking their math and bands to see which, if any, bird is unaccounted for.
Wonderful live video via the
CraneCam and
TrikeCam this morning....hope you didn't miss seeing the first ever view
of a migration flight arrival.
News just received from Bev: 925 is the unaccounted for bird and the
search is on...both on then ground in the tracking van and from the air.
The birds that made the flight to South Juneau County Stopover Site #2
were: 901, 903, 905, 904, 908, 913, 918, 919, 926 and 929. That means
still at Juneau County Stopover Site #1 are: 906, 907, 910, 911, 912, 914,
915, 924 and 927.
Date:
October 27,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration
Day 12 - FLYING!!
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
Distance
Traveled:
Juneau Co. to S. Juneau Co. WI - ?
Miles
Accumulated Distance:
? Miles
As usual, I was first up in camp. It was just after 3:30am when I left my
‘motorhome away from home’ and headed for the refuge Annex, the nearby
building that has two bathrooms that we use. On the trek there, I noted we
had a starry sky, dead calm, and a nip in the air that was absent yesterday.
All good signs for the chance of a flight Chris Gullikson predicted we would
have today. After yet another dousing with rain yesterday afternoon, just
the thought of a another possible fly day gave me my first smile of the day
and put a little spring in my step.
Almost without fail, every morning
before it becomes light, there is a deer that comes to feed on the acorns
beneath the trees that skirt the parking spaces along the camp driveway. He
lifts his head when he hears me, freezes in place, as do I, and we spend a
few moments contemplating each other.
At first, he would immediately bound away. But after more than two weeks
of our paths crossing, he’s decided I’m harmless. Using whatever radar he
has that tells him I'm no threat, he now just gives me a quick glance, then
lowers his head and goes back to his breakfast. I sometimes stand and watch
him until he leaves; as gracefully and as soundlessly as he came. Beautiful.
The light in Heather’s camper is generally next to wink on, and coffee cups
in hand, we meet under my porch light or her’s to quietly speculate on the
day’s chances. If it’s looking good, we use mental telepathy to send
messages to the rest of the crew. "Get up, get up, get up! Let’s go, let’s
go, let’s go!" This morning was one of those.
Mental telepathy must work because lights came on and bodies started
emerging from trailers and motorhomes. Before long, the bathroom parade was
in full swing, and not long after that, people were suiting up while trucks
were warming up.
Everyone quickly got mobile - moving into place for an attempted flight from
our Juneau County Stopover site #1 to Stopover site #2 in South Juneau
County.28F, 0 wind on the ground, and light up top. The clear pre-dawn sky
had turned to overcast, and the product of the temp and the dew point being
almost identical was, of course, fog.
Neither fog nor a low ceiling kept us ground bound this morning however.
The cranes and planes are in the air!
Anxious to get going it seems, all the birds readily came out of the pen
and took to the air behind today's lead pilot, Brooke with apparently little
to no Crane rodeo needed. Try turning into the CraneCam now and watch their
arrival (we hope shortly) at Stopover site #2.
Date:
October 26,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Geoff Tarbox
Subject:
The Plant Man Returns For
More
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
With the first migration stop, a new great lake with all the rain we’ve
had, we were destined to have some slow days. And what else is there
to do on a slow day? Plants, of course! With my day free as bird, I zipped
off into the refuge, from the West Site, to Boghaunter to round up some more
of the usual suspects.
First and foremost, catching up since my last update, wooly milkweed
season has been over for this plant man for close to a month now. I managed
to whittle down the patch to a mere ten pods before Rich King asked me to
step back and leave a few to propagate on their own. After all, sooner or
later, you’ve got to let mother nature do her job. I honestly lost track how
many pods I hauled in, but it’s safe to assume that I pulled in thirty or
forty.
But one last thing I’d like to mention about wooly milkweeds actually
comes from a question Kirk Garanflo asked me over a month ago. This
volunteer at a remnant prairie site in Cook County Illinois shot me an
e-mail almost a month ago asking me who exactly pollinates wooly milkweeds.
From what I've gathered, two of wooly milkweeds' most prolific and
reliable pollinators are pair of bees. The first is the leafcutting bee (Megachile
mendica), which are about the size of a regular honeybee, only they're a
little darker than honey bees, have light bands along their abdomen, and are
native to our neck of the woods. They're pretty mellow, and only sting if
you're actually picking them up. And even then, it's pretty mild compared to
hornets or yellow jackets. They make their homes by tunnelling through
rotted wood and thick-stemmed plants like roses. I doubt they hang out in
woolies, since based on the ones I've seen, they are way too small for
honeybee-sized critters to hang out in. In some cases, the pods are every
bit as tall as the plant itself is.
Living up to their name, they cut little snippets off of leaves, sort of
like leaf cutter ants. But unlike their ant brothers/sisters, they don't use
the leaves as food (or rather cultivating food). Instead, they carry them
back to their tunnel/nests and use them to rig up some nesting cells.
They're also solitary little fellas, which means it's the ladies who get
saddled with digging the tunnels, making the nests, and raising the kids
(usually 35-40 of 'em). Fun times.
The second is the plasterer bee (Colletes armatus), which are mostly
black with whitish body hairs. Again, they only sting you if you're really
ticking them off, or if you're standing over their nest. Plasterers like to
hang out in crevices in the ground, or between stones and bricks. They get
their name from the goop they produce to make their mud nests. I guess you
could say they form "villages" since they like to hang out in
aggregations/clusters, but each female build and maintains their own
home/nest. They don't form a collective, cohesive hive or colony like
honeybees or ants would.
They're actually only active for roughly a month, and never actually
raise their kids themselves. All they do is the build their nest/cells, lay
their eggs, stock up enough food for the kids to eat, seal the nest off, and
that's it. See ya, nice knowing ya. Even though they're not threatened or
endangered (as far as I know) these guys are having it kind of rough since
their nests keep getting paved over or plowed under as we keep building on
top of them.
Back on track, the Virginia meadow beauties (Rhexia virginica) have also
been harvested out for the year. The little fellas actually ripened up a day
or two after my last entry. So I was pleasantly surprised to see them ready
to roll when I strolled by them one evening, just to check on them. I left
Boghaunter Trail with over fifty bitty, little, vase-shaped seedpods each
about the size of my pinky fingernail. That pretty much instantly filled
Rich’s quota on meadow beauties. If there’s any pods I missed, Rich and I
agreed that’d be best to let them stay wild.
That leaves us with our enigmatic white lettuce. First off, Bev and I
managed hunt down not one, but four wily, elusive white lettuces by the West
Site. Upon questioning Rich King, I found out that the white lettuce he
wanted me to fetch was Prenanthes alba AKA, rattlesnakeroot, and
lion’s-foot. Once again, it’s fancy Latin name, broken down bit by bit,
means drooping (Pren) flower (anthes) and white (alba). The plant itself is
roughly two to three feet tall, sports jagged, toothy leaves, bleeds white
sap when bruised, and is crowned with dozens upon dozens of tiny, white,
vaguely dandelion-like flowers (which isn’t surprising, since it’s related
to dandelions). There’s actually no real shortage of anywhere in Wisconsin.
Ol’ Rich had his share of the threatened endangered white lettuce species in
stock, but ironically, none of rattlesnakeroot.
Either
way, the lettuce-y plants I spotted along my strolls along Boghaunter Trail
were indeed rattlesnakeroot. Between those, the elusive four along the West
Site, and another one I found behind the dorms by chance, I had plenty to
keep me busy. Before migration “started”, I had already filled up two Ziploc
baggies worth of tiny little, dandelion-like seeds courtesy of West Site,
Boghaunter, and the dorms.
But that all isn’t to say that I didn’t have new plants to keep me busy.
One of which is yellow-eyed grass (Xyris sp.). With its fingernail-sized,
yellow, three-petalled flowers and slender, grass-like growth form, you’d be
forgiven if you overlooked it any tamarack swamp or marsh. Incidentally, its
Latin name is actually derived from the Greek “xyron” meaning razor, a
reference to its double-edged leaves.
I spotted a handful by chance growing next to some sundew in a ditch just
past Site 4, which was exactly where Rich wanted me to investigate two weeks
ago. Truth be told, pickings were kind of slim. Whether they’re that easy to
miss, or there weren’t that many to begin with (which wouldn’t surprise me;
I only saw one or two in bloom), I only came away with four seedheads. Oh
well. Not every hunt can be as overwhelmingly successful as the woolies
were, can they?
And
last but certainly not least, my personal favorite, the closed gentian (Gentiana
andrewsii), one of the prettiest plants anyone could hope to find in the
fall season. With its myriad of striking deep blue, bud-like flowers that
never actually open, it truly is a sight to behold. Sadly, even though it’s
the most common gentian, it’s fairly rare.
If you haven’t seen one yet, be sure to keep an eye out for one in the
late fall when you’re in a moderately damp, meadow, prairie, or open woods
with full to partial sun. Just be sure to not pick it. Translated, its genus
name, Gentiana, refers to an Illyrian king around 500 BC named Gentius, who
used the roots of a yellow gentian to help fend off malaria in his troops.
The species name, Andrewsii, refers to 19th century English botanical artist
and engraver, Henry Charles Andrews.
Bev and Robert found a patch growing out in the Canfield site, pretty
close to the runway, no less. There were even a handful growing along the
path we frequently walked down to reach the pen. However, they can be
finicky little plants that have always given Rich King trouble when he tries
raising them. But it’s a challenge he seems to be up to since he gave me the
go to fetch a few for him.
Around a week or two ago, I ventured out to Canfield site and filled up a
Ziploc baggy’s worth of ripe, split open gentian pods, all filled with
countless powder-like seeds. As with the meadow beauties, I was amazed to
see that the gentians were ready to go this soon. But with frost and winter
knocking at their door this time of year, and considering they’re actually
one of the last plants of the year to bloom, I guess they don’t have the
time to dilly dally around that spring or summer plants do. And there’s
still more capsules out to plucked. But seeing as how tough they are to
raise in captivity, and how well these guys were growing without us (or at
least here they were), I figured it’d be best to leave several of the plants
alone. At least until the lost art of raising gentians was recovered.
With all that brushing up done, I’m actually sad to say there wasn’t much
going on much of anywhere. With November around the corner, and the first
frost and snow already here, a lot of the plants ‘round these parts have
already closed up shop. All the white lettuce by the dorms and West Site are
fished out. Boghaunter proved to be a little more rewarding; I had a half
baggy full of white lettuce seeds when I left. I didn’t bother checking out
the yellow-eyed grass. If there really aren’t that many to go around, it
might be best to let the ones I missed to fend for themselves. The important
thing is, I didn’t come away empty-handed.
But that isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy my little sojourn. I always have a
ball walking these trails, even this late in the season. And some time out
of the trailer never killed anybody. The world is safe again. But…for how
long??
Date:
October 26, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY #11
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
Under overcast skies, with a temp of43F and very light winds, a flight this
morning turned from possibility to reality.
The ground crew left camp to
get in position, and by 7:10am CST, the pilots were enroute to the hangar.
With the soggy condition of the ground at Stopover Site #1, they were
expecting to have to do an 'air pick up' today rather than a trike landing
to collect the birds. But...
But...performing an air pick up never became an issue. We already knew a
low ceiling was likely, but after waiting at the hangar for an hour or more,
rather than lifting it descended with a thud. Reluctantly, the pilots were
forced to call it a day and the entire team stood down.
At the moment, tomorrow appears to offer another opportunity to fly, and
perhaps even Wednesday too.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JUNEAU COUNTY, WI
Volk Field Air National Guard Base is the home of Volk Field Combat
Readiness Training Center, the 128th Air Control Squadron and the Wisconsin
National Guard Museum. It consists of 2,336 acres adjacent to Interstate
Highway 90/94, north of the Village of Camp Douglas and provides a
year-round training environment for Air National Guard units to enhance
their combat readiness.
The single runway is 150 feet wide and 9,000 feet long with 1,000 foot
overruns. It can accommodate all military aircraft and has both precision
and non-precision navigational approaches along with a tower and radar
approach control. It is one of four such sites located in the United States.
Others are located at Alpena, Michigan, Gulfport, Mississippi, and
Savannah, Georgia. Directly under the command of the Adjutant General of
Wisconsin, each year more than 200 units from the Army and Air National
Guard, Air Force, Air Force Reserves, the Marine Corps and Naval Reserves
use Volk Field. Other users include federal, state and local law enforcement
agencies, Civil Air Patrol and youth organizations.
Date:
October 25, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
LESSER OF
THE EVILS
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership is based on the premise that no
one is in charge. In truth, that is not as sarcastic as it might sound. It
is, in fact, a commentary on the management style of a large group of
diverse agencies each bringing a different talent to the table.
OM does not report to the Fish and Wildlife Service, and certainly they
don’t answer to us. Instead, we strive for consensus when tough decisions
are necessary. If we can’t reach a happy conclusion we at least try for
consent. In other words we may not agree but we can live with the wishes of
the majority.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has authority over all endangered
species so they have the final say, and we work on a National Wildlife
Refuge at the discretion of the manager. But OM is in charge of all the day
to day bird activity, and those decisions are also made by consensus.
Depending on the situation, that is either an excellent way to capitalize on
the expertise of a well experienced team or, an attempt to share the blame.
Lately those decisions are harder to make, and rather than selecting the
best course of action we are picking the lesser of two evils.
The weather is the scapegoat for all the things wrong with our world. We
blame it for wet feet, frayed nerves, leaky motorhomes, and shortcomings in
our training schedule. These complaints are not unfounded. In the last month
we have flown only a few times. The rain and the wind and the cold came
after an extended period of perfect flying conditions, and coincided with
the mixing of the last cohort.
Once the three groups of birds have learned to fly we bring them together
to form one flock. They must then organize a new governing body within their
ranks. They peck, push, and bully each other with more bluster than menace,
like high school boys vying for top position in their peer group. It doesn’t
take long for each bird to find its place and for order to be enforced under
a new hierarchy.
It does however take decent weather and lots of practice flights before
unity is restored in the air. And that’s the problem we faced this year.
Just at a critical time, the skies opened, the temperature dropped, the
winds picked up, and nothing flew for what seemed like weeks. Even the
mornings when we could get airborne were not perfect.
Split Decisions -
Aircraft lift is produced by air passing over the wing. The faster you go
the more lift is generated. That’s why fighter jets can maneuver perfectly
well on stubby wings no bigger than a sheet of plywood. We work at the other
end of the flight envelope. The slower we go the less lift the wing
produces, and at some point, it stops being an airplane and becomes a rock.
That transition is known as a stall, and we spend a lot of time on that
ridge hanging on the few pounds of lift left in a wing not allowed to move
fast enough to do its job.
You can change the wing on a trike in only a few minutes and we have two
different wings in our arsenal. The original is big and forgiving with 19
square meters of lifting area and lots of wires and posts to hold it up. It
is the favorite among the pilots because it holds on to every last ounce of
lift before giving up into a stall so moderate we call it mush. The problem
with these wings is the wires that can form an airborne catcher, and over
the years they have caused the death of 3 birds and injured 2 others.
Thanks to the generosity of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund we
were able to buy strut based wings without the overhead superstructure. They
are far safer for birds but not as forgiving. They are smaller with only 17
meters of lifting surface and when they decide to stop flying and begin
falling, they do it abruptly without much warning. In the gusty winds that
have been our best flying days lately, slowing to a stall at low altitudes
becomes dangerous.
So the question is, do we fly the more forgiving wing and risk a bird
injury or, fly the smaller one and risk everything. In fact if you visit our
hangar you will see two aircraft fitted with the old wings and two with the
new.
Tough Decision -
With the birds stuck in the pen and little or no opportunity to fly they
become sedentary and more reluctant to leave. The poor conditions we have
been forced to train in means we can’t slow the aircraft enough for them to
find the wing. Soon they fall behind, and discouragement turns them back to
the pen. With each weekly training session in gusty winds we teach a similar
lesson. They fly a few circuits with the aircraft, break for home, and soon
they are back in the comfort of the wet pen with lots of food.
So here is the question. Do we keep training at the familiar pen site and
reinforcing that same bad lesson, or risk crating them to the first
stopover? There is always the possibility of injury in the crate, and birds
captured and packed into a box can soon become wary of people dressed in
white. A couple of good flying days would help, but that wasn’t in the
forecast, so this week we boxed 8 birds and moved them off the refuge. A
disappointing start to a long journey.
Pending Decisions -
The next flight will be ~18 miles and I worry that we will have birds
scattered all over the county. So here’s the next question. Do we pick a few
of the birds we know will turn back and crate them to Stopover #2? That
would prevent them from dropping out and encouraging the rest to give up the
chase. We could at least take the ones that have a chance of making it. Even
one good flight with the core group would teach the right lesson, allow us
to begin rebuilding the flock, and do wonders for our spirits. But, we have
to balance that advantage against the potential damage crating could do to
the few that are already reluctant to follow the aircraft.
With limited options and no break in the forecast, there are no good
decisions, just less bad ones.
Date:
October 25, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day #10 - DOWN DAY
#5
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
If you read the entry and looked the photos posted here yesterday afternoon
(see below) you will have a better idea of what we've been experiencing here
at Necedah.
Unfortunately the welcome respite from the rain we had mid to
late day yesterday was all too brief. The rain started up again last
evening, and while for the moment it has slowed to an off and on drizzle,
the wet weather is still with us this morning. Needless to say, we're still
grounded.
Regrettably, we can't even offer you views of the cranes via the CraneCam.
The rain has turned the ground at the pensite at Stopover #1 into one big
bog, making it impossible for us to haul the camera trailer in there.
Date:
October 24, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
AFTERMATH
OF THE RAIN
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
Bev and Brooke shot the photos below at our Juneau County Stopover site
early this afternoon.
The travel pen was set up in a small dip in the
landscape, and as you can see, what started out as a dry pen is now a wet
pen - much to the delight of the Class of 2009. The record rainfall of the
last few days has left much of the area either underwater or 'sink-in'
soggy. It also required moving our camper to high ground before it became
impossible to get it out.
Joe, Heather and Chris went to the site earlier to deploy the CraneCam
only to discover that even the ground that is not underwater is so saturated
that they can't get the camera trailer into position. As of this moment,
whether we will be able to provide CraneCam views from this location appears
to be iffy at best.
We've currently got some very
welcome sunshine under brilliant blue skies along with a relatively
stiff breeze. Hopefully this will help speed up the drying out process.
Accumulated rain water floods the grassy strip in front of the pen
which serves as the runway for our trikes.
At one point, Brooke reported the water level in the pen reached the
top of his rubber boots. Chicks are happy.
Much of the runway is
underwater - the balance is 'swampy'. Departure from here will
likely require an 'air pick-up'.
OM's tracking van is
pulled up behind the Arctic Fox, the camper that stays within
proximity of the birds.
Date:
October 24, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
EASTERN
MIGRATORY POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
In this report, *=Female, D=Direct Autumn Release.
As of October 17, WCEP
trackers reported a maximum of 54 birds in the Eastern Migratory Population
(EMP) were located within the core reintroduction area. 15 others were also
in Wisconsin but outside the core area. Locations of the rest of the EMP
were: 2 – Lower Michigan; 1 – Indiana; 2 – Minnesota; and 1 whose location
was not determined.
Two Whooping cranes, 516 and D744* have not been located in 2009. D744*
was last detected in Paulding County, OH on November 18 of last year. 516
was last confirmed in Marion County, FL in December 2008.
Population Composition and Distribution
All 12 of this past spring’s breeding pairs remain in the core
reintroduction area. 105 and 501* have separated and 501* has since paired
with 316.
Six sub-adult pairs also remain in the core area: 216 & 716*, 307 & 726*,
D627 & D742*, 402 * D746 512 & 722*, and 709 & 717*. A seventh sub-adult
pair, 707 & 739* were in Minnesota as of Oct. 13.
Unpaired adults / sub-adults in the core area (not including the Class of
2008 who are all in Wisconsin) were: 101, 412, 416, 506 (last observed Sept
1), 509, 514, 524, 713 (last detected Sept 17), 712, 107*, D528*, 733, D527*
(last observed Sept 30) 703.
Outside the core area were: 727* (last reported in Indiana Oct. 3), D533
(Last reported in Michigan Aug. 18)
Long Term Missing (more than 90 days)
706 (last detected May 6)
511 (last recorded May 11)
D737 (last reported in Michigan June 14)
520* (last reported June 16)
D628 (last detected June 23)
724 (last detected June 26)
Report compiled from data supplied by WCEP Trackers Richard Urbanek, Eva
Szyszkoski, Sara Zimorski, Jess Thompson, and K. J. Farrell.
Yesterday, the cool temp and WNW winds may have prompted many of the
Sandhills here on the refuge to begin to make their move south. In the
morning, score after score flew over headed in a south-easterly direction.
Last evening it seems as if only a small percentage returned.
Brooke and Bev reported they had three adult Whooping cranes visit
Stopover Site #1 yesterday afternoon. Two disappeared quite quickly, but
Brooke watched as the the third, calling loudly, took to the air. He said
even after he lost sight of the bird, he could hear his calls for almost ten
minutes.
Date:
October 24, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day #9 - Down Day
#4
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
It's been four days since there were cranes and planes in the air. Today
will be another day spent going nowhere. The rain finally let up and the
threat of snow overnight never materialized. So, what's left? You guessed it
- WIND. Very strong WNW winds have even the larger branches on the trees in
motion.
The CraneCam remains out of commission. Thursday, the batteries
went into the hangar for an overnight re-charging, but then some technical
problems delayed its redeployment. Hopefully we will have them resolved and
the CraneCam in place at Stopover Site #1 before too long.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JUNEAU COUNTY, WI
"Forward," is the state motto of Wisconsin since 1851. Would that the bogged
down OM team could be a living example! Perhaps the folks who currently are
pushing to change it to "Live it like you mean it" are onto something. While
they're at it they should change the state bird from American Robin to
Whooping Crane.
"On Wisconsin," the famous fight song of the University of Wisconsin, was
regarded by John Philip Sousa as "the finest of college marching songs," The
little known truth, is it was originally intended for another school. The
tune was composed in 1909 by William T. Purdy, with the intention of
entering it into a competition for a new fight song for the University of
Minnesota.
Carl Beck, a former University of Wisconsin student, convinced Purdy to
withdraw it from the contest at the last minute and allow his alma mater to
use it instead. Beck then wrote new lyrics, changing the words "Minnesota,
Minnesota" to "On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!" What we need is "On Migration!
On, Migration!"
Date:
October 23,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Erin Harris
Subject:
BIRDS
GONE - PEOPLE NOT
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
After several failed attempts to join the two groups by air, it was
decided to crate the eight remaining chicks housed at the West pensite and
transport them to the first Stopover site in the van.
Before transporting the chicks to their new temporary home yesterday, we
released them one last time at the West Site for some playtime and exercise.
While Chris, Geoff, Richard and I were babysitting the West Site chicks, Bev
and Brooke were allowing the other 12 chicks to exercise at the Stopover
site.
When we arrived at the West Site we were happily greeted by 8 excited
chicks. Once the doors were open, 6 graceful chicks ran out of the pen and
immediately took to the air. After some joyful flying they landed at the end
of the runway. Two reluctant chicks, 910 and 913, didn’t want to leave the
wet pen, but with encouragement by Richard and some treats, they ran out and
flew a few circuits ending up with their flock-mates at the end of the
runway.
The ‘hang out’ spot today was a puddle at the end of the runway, which
had many exciting ‘toys’. Even though we gave them cranberries and grapes,
the favorite toy was simply clumps of grass. They were so excited to be
free. Their favorite game was throwing clumps of grass into the air and
jumping with their wings spread out, all the while never taking their eyes
off of their new discovery. When recess was over, we got them all into the
pen, limiting them to the dry pen area, in preparation for crating.
The four of us went back to camp to come up with a plan and to collect
the crates. We decided that Brian, Richard, Geoff and I would crate the
chicks and transport them to the first stopover. With Brian as the coach and
Richard in the pen handing out the chicks, Geoff and I crated them one at a
time. Geoff and I took turns as to who handled the chicks and who dealt with
the crate door so that we would both be able to do this if required while on
the road.
It took two trips to move all of the chicks to the first stopover. The
first trip we only transported three chicks as there was a problem with one
of the crates. Brooke was awaiting our arrival, and when we arrived, he went
and prepared the pen for the new chicks. We unloaded the van on the runway,
and after Richard drove the van away and we got the all clear from Brooke,
Brian, Geoff and I walked the chicks to the pen, and got them in safely with
treats. We then went back to camp to make more room in the van so we could
move the rest of the chicks.
We returned to the West Site to crate the remaining five chicks. Once all
five crates were safely in the van, Richard, Brian, Geoff and I again went
back to the stopover site. This time, it was Bev awaiting our arrival. She
walked ahead to prepare the pen, and when she gave us the signal, Brian,
Geoff and I walked the last five chicks to the pen. Brian was positioned in
the back of the pen, trying to keep the already resident chicks distracted.
Geoff and I were standing at the gate, trying to make sure nobody got out,
only in. I failed at this twice, as 914 snuck past me. Luckily, she only
went foraging not too far from the pen, and was easily lured back in.
910 and 913 were the last to go in because they were playing with clumps
of grass, and running around with them. You can’t help but smile when they
get so excited, especially about grass. Richard and Bev were very patient,
and eventually got them in the pen. Brian stayed behind to watch over the
chicks, and to make sure they all settled in to their portable home.
With all of the Class of 2009 now at Stopover #1 the question becomes,
“When will the OM Team be able to migrate off the refuge?”
Date:
October 23,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY #8
Location:
Juneau Co. WI
You might think that with all of our trailers and motorhomes parked within
steps of each other, that communication between team members would be a
simple matter. The reality is that at any one time we can have 16 people all
going in different directions and all doing different jobs. Not
surprisingly, this often leads to several left hands not knowing what the
right hands are doing. In the absence of knowledge, assumptions are
made.....and you know what they say about ‘assume’.
This is how today got
to be Migration Day #8. Yes, that's right, it's Migration Day #8. But, no,
you haven't missed anything. While I’ve been waiting for ‘a departure
flyover’ and all of the birds to be at Stopover #1 to begin counting
Migration Days, I discovered that Joe has been updating the Whooper Hotline
daily counting October 16 as Migration Day #1. Sooo, that is how today,
October 23rd, got to be Migration Day #8.
Yesterday afternoon, the last eight birds still on the refuge made an
inauspicious departure when they were crated and moved to Stopover Site #1.
Hopefully, the strange location will encourage their attentiveness and
loyalty to the aircraft on the next leg of the migration – a flight of <20
miles.
There will be no further movement of any sort today however. The
temperature hovers in the high 30's; winds are out of the NE blowing 10 -
20mph; and, the rain continues to fall - alternating between spitting,
drizzling, and beating down.
And speaking of down, so is the CraneCam. The batteries went for an
overnight re-charging but it will be re-deployed at Stopover Site #1 later
today. An entry by Intern Erin Harris describing yesterday's activity will
be be posted here, also later today.
Date:
October 22,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
DIFFERENT
DAY - SAME STORY
Location:
Necedah, WI
Maybe weathermen have a quirky sense of humor. This morning's forecast
called for a 40% chance of rain - despite the fact that it hasn't stopped
raining since early last evening.
Large or small, every indentation in the ground is brimming with water. The
puddles are everywhere - and they are likely to grow larger as the
prediction for tomorrow is a 100% chance of rain.
The rain has us grounded of course, but wouldn't you know it...we've got favorable
winds. They've swung around to come out of the NNW. What we wouldn't give
for a confluence of good weather and winds!!
Date:
October 22,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
710 - AKA
KERNEL
Location:
Necedah, WI
Thought you might be interested in an update on 710. He was the Whooping
crane that was removed from the Eastern Migratory Population in early June
due to his lack of human avoidance and his continual ‘leading other birds
astray’. A home for 710 was found at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL.
I
recently heard from Rachel Nelson, Director of Public Relations at Tampa's
Lowry Park Zoo, and she also kindly send along the two photos we share here
with you.
“We call him Kernel,” Rachel said. “He now lives with Whoopie, an
adult female Whooping crane, in a large natural exhibit shared with four
endangered Key deer. Zoo animal care staff report that Kernel did
exceptionally well with gradual introductions to the exhibit and other
animals, and has successfully transitioned to a crane diet (previous
preference for corn). Kernel and Whoopie responded well to one another and
have been observed wading in shallow water side by side, digging and
foraging, and displaying the crane mating dance.”
710 (Kernel) on exhibit at the Lawry Park Zoo.
Whoopie and Kernel make a handsome pair.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is recognized by the State of Florida as a primary
center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity. In addition to
housing a pair of these endangered birds in the Lykes Florida Wildlife
Center at the Zoo, the Zoo partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to provide
veterinary and staff support to both the non-migratory and migratory
endangered Whooping crane population in Florida.
Date:
October 21,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Bev Paulan
Subject:
Babysitting the Birds
Location:
Necedah, WI
I awoke Sunday night around 2 am. As I lay in my bed listening to the deep
breathing of my camper mate, I felt the rig rocking with the buffeting
winds. The sounds of coyote yapping and howling came to my ears through the
cracked window. My thoughts immediately went to the pen, a mere 100 yards
from the camper, separated only by a small woodlot.
I listened to the
music of the night, trying to judge distance, determining if I should get up
and walk out to check the 11 chicks tucked into their pen here at Stopover
Site 1. Deciding the coyotes were far enough away, and knowing I had double
checked the electric fence at the pen, I drifted back to sleep gently rocked
by the stiff breeze.
When I woke at a more civilized hour of 6:30, I felt and heard the same
wind, reinforcing the guess from the night before of another day of no
flying. Brooke offered to go do the morning check of the birds and I gladly
took him up on this.
Being out here where the birds are really is not a hardship. Even though
we have no electricity or bathrooms with showers, we make up for that lack
in quiet and proximity to our flock. It is always dark, no street lamps
robbing us of the starry skies. And we can always hear the owls, coyotes,
crickets and wind.
At every remote site on migration, Brooke and I camp as close to the pen
as possible to ensure the safety of the chicks. We have been out in the
middle of the night in thunderstorms, repairing wind damaged pens at
midnight and using the night scope to spy on too close coyotes.
This ability to be at the pen in mere moments gives the entire team peace
of mind. We can intervene in case a wayward hunter wanders too close to the
birds, act as Whooping Crane ambassador to curious neighbors, and as
all-around repair team and aviculturists as needed.
Even at our second migration stop, we are the only two on site with the
birds. We are so close to Necedah, that it is easier for everyone to stay
camped on the refuge and to keep the trikes safely in the hangar, than to
pack up and move the entire flying circus. Others on the team are good about
spelling us when we need to get a shower or do laundry, so it is not total
solitary confinement. We do miss a lot of group meals and both of us are
rarely at the same event together, but I am not complaining.
It is all worth it when I walk out to the pen after having just exited
the camper and I hear the excited peeps of my charges. I can watch unseen
from a spot in the woods and see what they are up to. I can wander out to
give treats, pumpkins or corn, whenever I get the urge, instead of having to
drive over to the pensite.
It is truly a privilege to be here babysitting the birds during
migration. It is also an honor bestowed upon us by the team, indicating
their deepest trust in our abilities to do whatever it takes to ensure the
safety and security of these wonderful creatures.
Date:
October 21,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ONE WORD
TELLS THE TALE
Location:
Necedah, WI
Today's story can be told in just one word - rain. The
inclement weather moved in last evening, persisted through the night, and as
it continues, negates any opportunity to fly this morning.
Heather and I are debating whether this is, "Operation Stagnation" or,
"Operation Frustration". Seeing this is the 12th morning past our target
departure date, I guess both descriptors work.
Migration Trivia
compliments of Vi White and Steve Cohen
JUNEAU COUNTY, WI
Necedah, population ~888, is a friendly village nestled among majestic rock
formations, natural bluffs and pine trees. It is located near Petenwell
Lake, Castle Rock Lake, and the Wisconsin and Yellow Rivers. The Necedah
National Wildlife Refuge and Buckhorn State Park are close by, and many bike
trails are minutes away.
The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge offers a 'back to nature'
experience, and is of course, the site of summer flight training for the
young-of-the-year Whooping Cranes that are led south by Operation
Migration's ultralight aircraft each fall. Necedah is also home to the
Necedah Lions’ Club Whooping Crane Festival”. It is held annually on the
third Saturday in September and attracts Craniacs from across the country.
Date:
October 20,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
AM I
ALLOWED TO SAY, "D--N"?
Location:
Necedah, WI
Although east winds opened a potential window for us this morning, we
thought a flight today might be a challenge – and it proved to be that and
more.
The pilots deployed for an attempt to lead the nine chicks remaining
at the West pensite to our Stopover Site #2, as well as to pick up
the 11 birds from Stopover Site #1 and lead them there as also.
Everyone was off and running - Heather and Erin to release the birds at
the West pensite; Bev and Geoff to Stopover site #1 for the release there,
while Brian Clauss went to get in position in the tracking van. Jack
Wrighter, Gerald Murphy, and John Cooper were each in a vehicle at the East,
North and Canfield pensites to play swamp monsters, in person or with
vehicle horns, in case birds decided to land out there.
When Heather and Erin released the birds, Joe, today’s lead pilot, got
eight of the nine into the air. One bird, 911, hung back and wouldn’t come
out of the wet pen. (Poor Erin got a freezing cold soaking trying to coax
him out of the wetpen.) Despite Joe circling and circling to try and get the
birds to form up on his wing, they wouldn’t cooperate, and it was another
Crane Rodeo.
While Joe flew off with one bird on the wing, Richard swooped in to help
with the round-up. And Brooke, who had been on his way to Stopover Site #1,
turned back to also lend a hand.
Eventually they got seven birds back on the ground at the West pensite,
which, including 911 who never got out of the pen, made eight. Joe managed
to make it to Stopover site #1 with his one bird, 907.
So the scorecard now reads: 12 at Stopover Site #1 and 8 still on the
refuge. I guess that's progress - but d--n, will we ever get going?!?
Date:
October 19,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
CraneCam & TrikeCam Truly
Global
Location:
Necedah, WI
Advances in technology have made it possible for us to give you, our
supporters, never-before-seen firsthand glimpses into our work. Whether
flight-conditioning in the summer months or simply watching the young
Whooping cranes socializing in their enclosure at the Necedah NWR, the OM
CraneCam, made possible through the generosity of Duke Energy, is gaining
new viewers each day.
Deploying a wildlife camera is challenging and when you add the
remoteness of the Necedah Refuge into the fray, it multiplies the
challenges. There are no electrical outlets anywhere near the training
sites, so batteries must be used – 6 large industrial batteries, in fact.
They must be charged every 2nd day to keep the camera and the onboard
computer and video server working. To do this we acquired a very quiet
generator, which consumes about a gallon of gas for each re-charge. Because
the camera is set-up as close as possible to the cranes, the generator must
be connected to the camera-trailer by a 250-foot extension cord to ensure
they don’t hear it when it’s running.
LIVE images are captured by 1 of 2 cameras, each mounted inside plastic
domes, which are situated atop a large mast that can be raised 30 feet
skyward. The footage then travels down the 30 ft. mast; joins with an audio
feed; goes through an onboard video server in analog format and then travels
to what is called an ADVC unit, which spits it out in digital format.
Once digitized the combined video/audio signal travels back up the mast to a
yagi antenna mounted just above the camera domes before being sent by radio
frequency to another yagi antenna, which is mounted atop a 40 foot tall
recycled TV tower.
This tower and the receiving yagi are fastened to the tallest tree we
could find, near the closest location we could get a DSL line installed,
which just happens to be 4.5 miles away from the Canfield training site, and
separated by hundreds, if not thousands of very tall trees--all this just to
get the feed ready to go somewhere!
Once it reaches this point, the data travels through an Ethernet cable
that winds through roughly 500 ft of trees and then underground a short
distance, before eventually arriving at a router, which sends it to Holland
– a distance of roughly 4100 miles. But the journey of the CraneCam feed
isn’t over yet. In fact it still has to travel another 5700 or so miles from
Holland to just northeast of Johannesburg, South Africa before you; the
viewer gets to see it.
And we can’t forget that the camera doesn’t move on its own! We’ve been
incredibly fortunate to recruit some amazing volunteers to assist with
‘camera-driving’ duties. When I’m not in migration-mode, most mornings, I
remotely control the pan/tilt/zoom from either my home, or my desk at OM
headquarters in Ontario, Canada. Add this responsibility to the myriad other
duties and well, there are not enough hours in the day, so we recruited 7
individuals to help out, in this, our first year with the camera.
They too can log in remotely from their homes, and they do so quite
readily to give viewers an enhanced viewing experience. Colleen Reidy-Chase,
Sue Walsh and David Howell are in Florida, Mary Dooley; Indiana, Dave
Kitzman; Minnesota during the summer and Florida in winter, and lastly, but
certainly not least, we have sisters Darlene Lambert and Cindy Loken, both
from Wisconsin.
These are the volunteers who together give MANY hours each week to
driving the camera AND to responding, very knowledgeably I might add, to the
many questions posed to them during the live chats. We have hundreds of NEW
Craniacs watching now—and we expect this number will only increase.
Understandably there are many questions being asked and our CraneCam
volunteers respond to each and every question, to the best of their ability,
while simultaneously operating the Pan/Tilt/Zoom so that there is always
something of interest to see. We cannot possibly thank them enough for the
enthusiastic dedication they have each provided since the end of July when
we went LIVE with the CraneCam.
We must also pay homage to the folks at Zaplive in Holland, and
WildEarth.tv (WE) in South Africa. When I first made contact with the fellas
at WE back in April, our task seemed incredibly daunting, but Graham’s
encouragement and can-do attitude is infectious and Peter’s technical skills
with streaming video are second to none. If you haven’t yet visited them
online, please be sure to stop in to watch their
wildlife cam located on the Djuma Game Preserve in South Africa – When you’re NOT watching the
CraneCam
or the new
TrikeCam, of course.
And now, weather willing, migration is upon us (or so we hope); with it,
comes an entirely new set of challenges where the CraneCam and TrikeCam are
concerned. We will not have benefit of a DSL connection at our remote
stopover locations along the route. We will therefore have to rely on Plan
A: cellular technology; however, given the remoteness of our stopover
locations, we may not be able to count on decent connections at every
location.
Plan B: involves shooting video clips at those locations where no
reliable signal exists and then, once I get to within decent cellular
signal, I’ll upload these directly to our YouTube Channel, which can be
found at: http://www.youtube.com/OperationMigration Once you subscribe to
our YouTube Channel, you’ll be notified each time a new clip is posted.
We’d also like to invite you to keep up with us via Facebook and Twitter;
where postings and tweets will be made during each migration day. You can
join our Facebook Group
here and/or follow us on
Twitter @OperMigration.
Who knows, we may even need to resort to developing a Plan C, D or even E
but until then, we ask for your patience and understanding. Rest assured
we’ll do our best.
Date:
October 19, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
THE TEMP
TOLD THE TALE
Location:
Necedah, WI
What a change. When I ventured outside this morning there was no doubt that
the south winds had arrived. At 4am, it was already 23 degrees warmer that
at the same time the day before.
With 6mph winds on the ground and the SSW
winds aloft blowing from 10 - 20 mph, camp was a picture of inactivity. No
flying today for the Class of 2009.
(Apologies for the very late posting today. We exceeded our allowed
bandwith on the satellite yesterday so connectivity was a problem this
morning. In fact, in order to accomplish what we need to get done today,
Heather and I are currently working from a restaurant in town so we can use
their WiFi.)
Date:
October 18, 2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
NOT
DOABLE
Location:
Necedah, WI
Again we were hoping this would be 'the' day. Our weather guru, Chris
Gullikson, determined that although the winds this morning had a southerly
component, they were primarily out of the west, and that we might have a
chance of a flight.
Once the pilots and ground crew cleared camp, David, Linda and I once
again headed for the DU Observation Platform to join the Craniacs waiting
there in anticipation of a flyover. We were barely in place when the
aviation radio came alive with a chorus of pilots' voices.
"It's pretty trashy," said Chris. "It's rough up higher too," said
Richard. "I don't think we can do this," said Brooke. "This just isn't
doable," said Joe, "let's call it and stand down."
And so, before it got started, this morning's attempted flight to move
the last nine chicks from the refuge to Stopover #1 ended. If we're lucky
enough to have another window of opportunity late this afternoon, it's
possible the pilots will try again today. If not.... well, tomorrow's
another day.
The CraneCam will be going off air shortly. We are pulling it out of the
field to take it to the first Stopover site to test what kind of a signal we
can pick up there. After that, it will be returned to the refuge and
broadcasting will resume.
Date:
October 17,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FOUR MORE
AT STOPOVER #1
Location:
Necedah, WI
Joe, Richard, and Chris took to the air again shortly after 4pm to try
and take advantage of the late afternoon calm. Erin and Geoff manned the pen
doors for the release. Four of the 13 chicks that remained on the refuge,
(those at the East site) are in the air (following Richard) and are enroute to Stopover site #1 where Brian Clauss is waiting to call the birds
down.
CraneCam viewers were treated to quite an extended view of the departure
as the trike circled around giving the chicks time to 'latch onto the wing'.
Now we have 11 birds at Stopover #1 and 9 still at the refuge. It may not
be the fastest way to do a migration leg, but it is progress - - and we'll
take it!
Date:
October 17,2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ANOTHER,
GO - NO GO
Location:
Necedah, WI
The 0 to light winds on ground this morning shortly after 4am began to pick
up as sunrise approached. Aloft, they were a little stronger than we had
hoped for, but the pilots thought a flight might be doable. With this in
mind, camp emptied out as everyone headed out for their respective
positions.
David and Linda Boyd and I once again joined the crowd gathered
at the DU Observation Platform in the hope of witnessing the departure
flyover - but it was not to be. Over the aviation radio I could hear the
pilots enroute to the pensite discussing the conditions. Within moments they
called it - we would stand down. They turned back toward the hangar, but
altered course enough to do a fly-by of the Observation Platform for the
loyal, but disappointed Craniacs.
Had we been able to lead the 13 young Whoopers who are still on the
refuge to our first Stopover site this morning, we would have been on our
way and could have officially called today, "Migration Day 1". Oh well,
there's always tomorrow...or the next day....or the next - it was the
tortoise not the hare that won the race, remember.
Date:
October 16,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
THERE'S
ALWAYS AN 'IF'
Location:
Necedah, WI
When the wind died down to almost a dead calm late this afternoon, Richard
and Chris flew over to the Canfield site to try and get 905 and 925 to
follow. And follow they did. So well in fact that instead of leading them
over to the East site to join their flock-mates there, they were able to
lead them to our first stopover site. There, they were put in our travel pen
with the five birds who had successfully made the flight in the morning.
That makes the score: 7 on migration and 13 yet to leave the refuge.
If the forecast for tomorrow holds - 34F, light winds out of the NNW,
and partly cloudy skies – it will be great for flying. If we manage
to get the last 13 young cranes in the air and to the first Stopover site,
we can officially call Saturday, October 17th, “Migration Day #1”.
Date:
October 16 -
Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
THE REST
OF THE STORY
Location:
Necedah, WI
This will be a poor substitute for an exciting lead pilot report, but I'm
afraid for today you will have to make do with me as other pressing duties
are keeping Joe away from his computer this afternoon.
By the time the
dust...er.. cranes settled this morning, we had all 20 birds safely tucked
in a pen - but in four different locations.
Back at the East site, from whence this willful bunch of 20 recalcitrants
began this morning, are: 912, 918, 927, and 929. In the pen at the West site
are: 901, 907, 910, 904, 913, 914, 919, 911, and 903. Keeping each other
company at the Canfield site are 905 and 925.
Thanks to 906, 908, 915, 924, and 926 - and their fearless leaders,
pilots Brooke and Richard, we can say the 2009 migration has officially
begun - sort of. Brooke managed to lead three birds and Richard two, over to
the our first Juneau County stopover site. Bev and Brooke have already moved
to that location where they will remain camped until our next move.
And speaking of our next move - later this afternoon, wind conditions
permitting, Chris and Richard hope to be able to lead 905 and 925 from the
Canfield site, back to the East site. This would mean we would have six at
that site and nine at the West site.
IF the forecast conditions for tomorrow morning remain unchanged, the
prevailing thought of the day is to launch and lead the birds from their
locations to Stopover site #1, one group at a time. Now, that's our
plan, but of course the birds seem to always manage to have the last word.
Departure Flyover Viewing Location for those wanting a glimpse of the cranes and planes in person:
The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is located on the north side of Highway
21 and west of Highway 80. Approaching from the west off Interstate 94 at
Tomah, WI, travel ~15 miles east on Highway 21; from the east, travel ~5
miles along Highway 21 from Necedah, WI. Turn north onto Headquarters Road
and continue about half a mile to the Ducks Unlimited Observation Platform.
Sunrise will be around 7:17amCST tomorrow, so you will want
to be in place no later than that time. Hope to see you there!
Date:
October 16, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
2009
MIGRATION IS UNDERWAY - of a sort
Location:
Necedah, WI
Six days after our October 10th target departure date, the Class of 2009
finally got off on the first leg of their first migration. Sort of....
Camp came alive
early. At 4am the temp was 26F and the sky was clear and filled with stars.
There wasn't a leaf stirring on the trees - all signs of a potential
fly day. By 6:30, vehicles were being warmed up, and the entire team was in
motion.
Just after sunrise this morning (7:17am) all four pilots left OM’s hangar for the
short flight to the East pensite. While Chris, Brooke, and Richard circled
above, Joe, today's
lead pilot, landed and signaled the ground crew to open the pen doors. Bev
subsequently reported that six were reluctant to come out of the pen, but
eventually they got airborne.
And that's when the Crane Rodeo started.
The details of this morning's action will come later today in a Field
Journal entry from lead pilot Joe, but in the meantime we can tell you that
Brooke eventually did manage to get away with three birds. We watched from
the DU observation platform as he disappeared from sight leading the three
toward our travel pen set up at stopover #1.
As of the moment, (8:50am CST) the word is, that the rest of the Class of
2009 are on the ground; some at the East site, some at the West site, and
some at Canfield. The team is re-grouping to check and ensure that all are
accounted for and also which birds are where.
Date:
October 16, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
NUMBER 928
Location:
Necedah, WI
It is with much sadness that this entry is written. Yesterday morning the very difficult decision was made to pull this little guy from the cohort due to persistent respiratory issues.
From the beginning of his short life, number 928 developed breathing trouble. Several rounds of medications were administered but he simply did not respond. The team had hoped things would clear up but recently it became apparent this was not to be and while he did train with the group, he simply could not fly any further than the length of the runway. Once he landed he would peep very loudly and convince his flockmates to return and join him on the runway.
There was simply too much scarring in his lungs, making it very difficult for him to breath. Several options were discussed but ultimately the decision was made to euthanize him yesterday.
Without a full (and invasive) work-up, the health team was reluctant to ship him anywhere for fear of contaminating others and presently there are no available spaces at any of the zoos for an educational display Whooper. And even if there were an opening, it would have to be a location in the north with very little humidity as he struggled for breath in such conditions.
Other contributing factors are that he was low on the genetic totem pole and, unfortunately, a male, which we currently have a surplus of in the population. A DAR release was considered, however, given his condition it was rather doubtful that he'd be able to follow other cranes for the distance needed during migration and his fate would be sealed when left behind by other, stronger birds as he would very likely freeze to death.
The health team felt this was the most humane approach... The entire team is sad about this outcome but we have 20 others in the Class of 2009 that are counting on us – whether they realize it or not. Onward and upward.
Date:
October 15, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
GOING
NOWHERE
Location:
Necedah, WI
We woke to a third morning of rain and wind, and as the weatherman said, "If
you don't like today's weather, wait a while, it's going to get worse."
Dropping temps and freezing rain could be in the offing. Ugh.
Obviously,
the OM team and the Class of 2009 will once again be going nowhere. The
upside, (if there is one) is that everyone is finding time to do a myriad of
little odd jobs. Chris is mounting a replacement loudhailer on a trike; Joe
is repairing locks on our merchandise storage bins; Richard is replacing a
door in one of the motorhomes; and on and on.
The 'wait' is also giving crew members time to bring some organization to
the chaos that playing 'musical motorhomes' wrought when almost everyone had
to shuffle their belongings from their 'summer home/vehicle' into their
designated 'migration home/vehicle'.
Getting jobs done and getting organized is great. But as the bumper
sticker on at least one vehicle in the parking lot here says...."I'd rather
be flying."
Date:
October 15,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOW -
Disney really Gives a
WHOOP!
Location:
Necedah, WI
We had a huge and happy surprise when we picked up our mail last Friday. In it was a
letter from Jackie Ogden, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Programs and
Environmental Initiatives. Jackie’s letter read:
“With great pleasure I am enclosing a check from Disney’s Animal Programs
and Environmental Initiatives in the amount of $10,000, in recognition of
your upcoming 10,000 mile celebration!
Our team highly values our partnership with Operation
Migration and has great respect for all you have accomplished. We wish you
continued success with this year’s young cranes and look forward to their
arrival in Florida!
With warmest regards,
Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Vice President, Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S."
Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, and the organizations'
wonderful cast members, have been there for Operation Migration and Whooping
cranes every year since the start of the Whooping crane reintroduction program.
Much of what OM has accomplished has only been possible because of Disney’s
ongoing commitment to this project - for which we are
immensely grateful. And make no mistake, Disney's support goes well
beyond the financial as they enthusiastically contribute human
resources, expertise, and hands-on help to various aspects of the project.
In
the photo are four Disney cast members with whom OM has been privileged to work.
Left to right - Scott Tidmus, Zoological Manager, Disney's Animal
Kingdom; Alex McMichael, Manager, Special Events and Media, Disney’s
animal Kingdom; Jay Therien, Zoological Manager, Disney's Animal
Kingdom; and, Scott Terrell, DVM, Veterinary Pathologist and
Operations Manager for Walt Disney World Animal Programs.
To Jackie Ogden, Dr. Beth Stevens, and to all the other many good friends we
have made in the Disney organization over the years, we deeply appreciate
your generosity, and we look forward to both working with you and seeing you
again in the not to distant future.
Date:
October 14, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WEATHER
ALL TOO OBVIOUS
Location:
Necedah, WI
No need to visit the weather forecasting websites, or even look out the
window of our trailers and motorhomes this morning. The sound of rain
beating a tattoo on the roof told the tale, and that and high winds sealed
our fate for today.
The system that was to the west of us has finally arrived, and if it hangs
around as long as currently predicted, we could have light to heavy
precipitation straight through until Saturday.
While we won't be in the air today, you can still watch the Class of 2009
via our CraneCam - which has been moved from the Canfield site to the East
pensite. Click
this link to view.
Date:
October 14, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
TrikeCam
OPERATIONAL
Location:
Necedah, WI
The first ever webcam mounted on an ultralight aircraft is now operational.
On flydays, OM’s TrikeCam will provide online viewers with never-before-seen
live video of Whooping Cranes in flight as they follow our ultralights from
migration launch site in Wisconsin to the southern terminus in Florida.
OM’s TrikeCam follows in the footsteps of our Duke Energy sponsored
CraneCam. The CraneCam began streaming live online video in late July. Since
that time, tens of thousands have tuned in to watch the OM ground crew and
pilots train with the Class of 2009.
Once the 2009 Migration gets underway, online viewers will be able to
watch each morning’s departure as we make our way south. [However, keep in
mind that connectivity - or lack thereof - at our remote stopover locations
will dictate our ability to provide a live video feed.] The CraneCam will
also deliver views of the Class of 2009 in their travel pen at the
conclusion of each migration flight leg.
On completion of the migration, the CraneCam will be set up at Florida’s
St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge to provide an unprecedented opportunity
to watch the young Whooping cranes as they mature over the winter. The
CraneCam will offer viewers a ringside seat to witness their “soft release”
into the wild.
You can link to the TrikeCam via our
CraneCam
webpage.
Date:
October 13,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
GO - -
OOPS, NO GO
Location:
Necedah, WI
32F (26F with the windchill), + partly cloudly skies, + 6mph winds out of
the NNW, = a flyable day - at least that's what we thought. The ground crew
was all in place, but once again after the pilots launched from the hangar
and got over the refuge, they found the air too trashy to fly with the
birds.
The entire crew has stood down. Now all that remains is to get
ready to do it all another day. Hopefully SOON.
Date:
October 13, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
TWO
'SNOWY' CAMPAIGN UPDATES
Location:
Necedah, WI
While
Wisconsin may have seen snow in October before, this is the first year we've
experienced it before leaving on migration. This photo was taken yesterday
by Craniac and CraneCam Driver Darlene Lambert. Darlene lives in Nekoosa,
just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Necedah refuge.
MileMaker Update:
So far, 556 (43%) of 1,285 miles have been sponsored. With Denice
Steinmann's 100 mile Challenge Match, (she will match up to 100 miles of
MileMaker sponsorships) now is the perfect time to become a
MileMaker. Click here to go to the
MileMaker page,
or call the office toll free 1-800-675-2618.
Give a WHOOP! Update: Like MileMaker, we've a long way to go to
reach our goal - 7,900 WHOOPS to go in fact. Our hope is to collect 10,000
Whoops – one for each of the 10,000 migration miles we’ve flown with
endangered Whooping cranes following our ultralights.
It won't be long before we are on our way with the Class of 2009 and
ticking off the air miles. The landmark 10,000th mile - the equivalent of
flying almost halfway around the world! - will be flown somewhere over
Illinois.
For just $10 you can Give a
WHOOP!and show that YOU care about the future of this magnificent species.
Date:
October 12,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MOVEMENT
- of a sort
Location:
Necedah, WI
We took our resident meteorologist, Chris Gullikson at his word when he told
us it appeared we just might have a small window of opportunity to fly this
morning before the band of weather carrying snow moved in.
With this in mind, camp emptied out as pilots and ground crew left to take
up their respective positions for the morning's hoped for activity. The plan
was to lead the chicks still at the Canfield site, over to the East site
travel pen to join the rest of their classmates.
The ground crew was
barely in place before they heard the pilots on the radio talking about
turning back to the hangar. That small window had disappeared. There was so
much turbulence, the pilots knew that the young birds would never be able to
manage to stay on the wing.
This afternoon, after much discussion in a team meeting, it was decided
to crate the birds and transport them to the East pensite. At least they
would be all in one place and ready for a departure when ever we do get a
flyable day. 10 of the 11 birds at Canfield made the 'road trip' to join
their classmates. 928 was also crated, but he was taken to the West pensite
for some 'abandonment conditioning'. He will be tended to there by costumed
handlers, and will also be given opportunities to flight train, but on his
own. Hopefully this will help us to discern if his problem is behavioral or
related to his respiratory issue.
Will tomorrow will be 'THE' day? The forecast is currently calling for
25F, partly cloudy skies, and light winds out of the north-northwest. If it
is 'THE' day, with sunrise is at 7:12 tomorrow morning, it is possible
that the the planes and cranes could be in the air shortly thereafter.
The Departure Flyover viewing location is at the DU Observation Platform
just a short way down Headquarters Road (off Highway 21) on the Necedah
National Wildlife Refuge.
Date:
October 12,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
CRANIAC
KIDS WHOOPING CRANE ACTIVITY BOOK
Location:
Necedah, WI
Operation
Migration is delighted to announce the launch of a new, entertaining and
educational book for school children. A labor of love that has been more
than two years in the making, we were thrilled when sufficient sponsorships
were secured to allow it to become a reality.
Thanks to the generosity of
The Amos Butler Audubon Society, (Indiana) The Hagen Family Foundation,
(Florida) and OM supporter Denice Steinmann (Illinois), the
Whooping Crane Activity Book is going to press and will be available for
distribution by November 1st. Special thanks go to author/illustrator,
Vickie Henderson, and to Nan Rudd of Rudd Designs for graphics and layout.
Artfully designed to stretch imaginations about the science and story behind
saving Whooping cranes from extinction, the Activity Book was produced with
the hope of getting young people interested not just in Whooping cranes, but
also in wildlife conservation. Why? Because Operation Migration believes
young people are our most important audience: It is with the next
generation that lies the hope for all the earth’s creatures – including
humankind.
Teachers and educators are invited to order complimentary copies
of OM's Whooping Crane Activity Book for their students. In order to
accommodate as many classes/schools as possible, there is a limit of 30
booklets per order and a maximum of 300 per school. (A shipping/handling fee
of $10 to be paid at time order is placed.)
Teachers/educators -
click here to
place your order. Or, call toll free 1-800-675-2618. You will need to
provide the following information to order: -
Teacher/Educator’s name and email address
- Name of
school and street and shipping address
- Contact
telephone number
- Grade level
and number of students in class
While we will have a reasonably large
quantity available, orders will be filled on a first come, first served
basis. Order early to ensure complimentary copies for your students.Shipping will begin November 1st.
Also beginning November 1st, individuals may purchase a copy of the
Whooping Crane Activity Book via OM’s merchandise page at a cost of $3.00
each (not including shipping).
Date:
October 11,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FOUND!!
Location:
Necedah, WI
With Bev, Chris, Brian, Brooke, and Geoff on the ground, and Richard back in
the air, finally, late this afternoon - success.
Once in the area, Richard
picked up 910's signal almost immediately and quickly zoned in to his
location. The bird was in a clearing in the center of a wooded area to the
north and west of the Canfield site. Although Richard tried to coax him into
the air, the bird wouldn't follow, so the crew moved in with a crate to box
him up and transport him to the pen.
Assuming 910 is now in the Canfield pen, that brings the total of birds
there to 12. (The other 9 birds in the Class of 2009 are already at the East
pensite.)
Whew! That's enough excitement for one day. Wonder what our next flyday
will bring?
Date:
October 11, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
And now for the rest of the
story…
Location:
Necedah, WI
As Brooke directed Bev and Erin from the air, they tromped and tripped
their way through the bush and undergrowth to where 914 had decided to
secret herself after being chased off by that area’s resident pair of adult
Whoopers. She had a bit of blood showing through her feathers where she had
been struck mid-back, but she checked out fine.
She was initially frightened when the costumes approached, but time and
patience and some reassurance from the vocalizers did the trick. As they
walked her back out, helping to direct her through the thick brush, Brooke
arrived on the scene. Erin stayed with 914 while Bev and Brooke readied a
crate, and it wasn’t long before she was loaded onto the back of the truck
for the drive to the East site. Once there she was uncrated and off she went
into the pen to join her flockmates.
While all this was going on, 903 and 919, which Joe had landed out with
at the North site, were being crated up by Geoff, Brian, and Chris. These
two birds made the rest of the trip over to the East site in the back of the
Tracking Van. With the arrival (by land) of 903, 919, and 914, the East pen
now held nine of the Class of 2009.
Meanwhile, back at Canfield, there were nine birds that were back in the
pen there. 926 was on the runway, and when Erin arrived to help put her
away, she discovered 918 – one of the wayward birds – had flown back to the
pensite on his own. Between she and Geoff, they managed to coax them both
into the pen, bringing the total at that site to 11.
If you’re doing the math, 9 + 11 = 20; one bird short. Who’s missing? To
answer that question, Brian and Chris walked back to the Canfield pen to
check bands, and Erin and Geoff drove to the East pensite to check bands
there.
When they put their notes together, it turned out that neither of them
had 910. This sent Brian and Chris off on the hunt in the Tracking Van. They
picked up a strong signal at the north end of the Canfield site and Chris
took off on foot to see if he could find him. No luck. And the hunt is still
on.
Date:
October 11,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
How’re we
doing so far?
Location:
Necedah, WI
It was a chilly 21F this morning as camp came alive, and one by one, team
members trekked across the yard to visit the ‘loo’ and perform their morning
ablutions. The wind on the ground was light, registering just 2-4mph out of
the west, but the aviation websites were indicating they were stronger than
that up top.
The plan for today was basically the same as yesterday’s,
that being, to try to combine training with the Class of 2009 with leading
them to the East pen site where one of our travel pens is set up. Being
slightly closer to our Migration Stopover #1, the unfamiliarity of the East
site and the different pen can tend to make the birds more attentive to the
aircraft and more willing to follow - which will help when we actually
depart the refuge on the first migration leg.
928 continues to have respiratory problems, and his ability to manage the
migration is a question on everyone’s minds. On training sessions he
launches eagerly, but then just flies a short circuit around the pensite,
quickly returning to the runway where he calls and calls. His quick return
and calling encourages others to do likewise, a hindrance to training. As a
result, the plan for today was to leave 928 behind in the pen when the other
birds were released.
There were about three dozen people braving the cold on the Observation
Tower this morning. Once again the Sandhills, Swans, and others put on a
visual and audio show for us, and three deer even got into the act as they
leapt their way from the treeline down to the water that fronts the tower.
For added spice, a pair of adult Whoopers flew in to land in the water just
beyond the marsh. (Click the link to
view more photos
from this morning.)
We watched the four trikes zipping around off in the distance, and our
cold vigil was eventually rewarded with a flyby. It looked like it was
Richard
leading six of the chicks from the Canfield site over to the East site.
Unfortunately, that’s the sum total of the birds that made that trip
today. As we watched, Brooke flew toward us with six or seven on his wing.
But despite a couple of attempts, each time they’d approach Rynearson Pond,
first one, then two, then more would break off. He would have to swing
around with the few remaining on his wing and give chase in order to pick
the break-away birds up again.
The long and short of it is that the flying part of the day’s activity
ended with six birds at the East Site; two at the North site, and nine
(including the left behind 928), back in the pen at Canfield. 6+2+9 =
17 you say? That’s right, we had four birds that went down at various
locations.
Bev and Erin took off hot on the trail of one of them. Richard pinpointed
the spot where he saw another go down. At last word, two of the four were
found and once they have been rounded up will likely be crated and taken
over to the East site.
Meanwhile, back at the Canfield site parking area, the battery had died
in the tracking van Brian Clauss drives. I scurried back to camp for jumper
cables, then stopped back at the tower to pick Heather up for the run out to
Brian’s vehicle. Next came Chris Gullikson’s voice over the radio saying he
was heading back to the hangar with a broken foot pedal cable.
Heather and I hurried back from Canfield to deliver the truck we were
driving back to camp for Chris to use to go out to help track the wayward
birds. We then transferred to the white van to head for town and a diesel
fill up - it was operating on fumes I think - before going to the hangar.
We arrived there just in time to greet Brooke, Joe and Richard who landed
and pulled in to the hangar in that order. They quickly got out of their
flight gear, bagged their costumes, and the passle of pilots leapt into the
red truck to also go out onto the refuge and help track. Heather and I
closed up the hangar after them and made our way back to camp to do some
'real' work; she to process some photos, and me to write this entry and get
it posted.
So, the long and the short of this morning's activity is..... We had the
first Crane Rodeo of the migration. We are still tracking down two birds (at
least). We’ve got some of the Class of 2009 at three different pensites on
the refuge. We had one ground vehicle that needed ‘roadside assistance’. We
had one aircraft that had to head for home for ‘minor surgery’. Jack
Wrighter, our top cover pilot, is still trying to get here from Tennessee
where for the third straight day he's been grounded due to weather.
How’re we doing so far? It’s Migration Day #2 and we haven’t gone
anywhere yet. Welcome to our world!
Date:
October 10, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
NO
DEPARTURE TOMORROW
Location:
Necedah, WI
Brrrr…despite the cold temp, more than a dozen hardy souls were on the
Observation Tower this morning in case there was a chance to see flight
training. The high winds precluded that happening, but we did get to watch
several other species putting on a morning show. The Sandhills were
especially active, with group after group flying by and over our heads. Joe
responded to a myriad of questions and regaled the small crowd with stories
of events past.
With a forecast of clear skies, a crisp 22F, and one mph winds out of the
west (on the ground) for Sunday, we have hopes of doing flight training
tomorrow morning - and - it culminating in leading the Class of 2009 to the
East pen site where one of our travel pens has been set up. So, yes – that
means the 2009 migration will be postponed at least one more day.
Date:
October 10,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
A Whooper of a Challenge
Location:
Necedah, WI
Craniac, and long time OM supporter, Denice Steinmann of Illinois, has come
up with a WhOOper of a challenge. She will match every MileMaker sponsorship
of a quarter, half, or one mile (or more) up to…100 miles!!!
If you’ve been waiting to do your MileMaker sponsorship there will never
be a better time. Denice’s challenge means that the value of your
sponsorship will be DOUBLED.
So how about it folks? Won’t you take up the challenge and ensure OM can
take full advantage of Denice’s fantastic generosity? Please help us get the 21 young Whooping
cranes in the Class of 2009 to Florida...
Click here to be taken directly to the
MileMaker webpage, or call our office toll free at 1-800-675-2618.
Date:
October 9,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
LAUNCH POSTPONED
Location:
Necedah, WI
Today was almost the twelfth consecutive day of no flight training
with the Class of 2009. In fact, as a result of poor weather, there have
only been a handful of training days throughout the past few weeks. All
three Cohorts have been together at the Canfield site for some time, and
while they are socialized, until this morning they had not flown as one
group. And to say that that was happened this morning, would be considered a
bit of a stretch.
All the birds were released from the pen together, but getting them all
in the air and following was another story. Here a bird, there a bird,
everywhere a bird.
928 flew a short circuit but immediately came back to the runway. Hard on
his heels was a group of 11 others. Brooke flew in to try and get them to
take off again with him and managed to do just that successfully. But
continued success was not to be, as the theme for the day was ‘utter chaos’.
Richard eventually returned to the runway with most if not all of the birds,
and in short order they were all back in the pen.
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 10 is our target launch day. As of this
evening, the weatherman is calling for mostly cloudy skies, 31F degrees, and
5mph winds straight out of the west.
Assuming we have decent flying weather, without doubt there will be
trikes and birds in the air. But…. they won’t be heading out to our first
migration stopover site. Given this morning’s debacle the crew decided
to set up one of our travel pens at the East site. That will be tomorrow’s
target; to get the birds to follow the trike(s) just as far as that
location.
If you were planning to come here to the Necedah refuge in the morning to
witness the departure flyover at the DU Observation Platform, travel a
little further down Headquarters Road to the Observation Tower instead. With
luck, you will still see ‘planes and cranes’ as the pilots try to combine
some flight training with a move to another site.
To
View Past Field Journals Please Visit our
Site Map
We
were all barely back in camp after the unsuccessful attempt for a flight
when the dynamic duo started scurrying around in preparation for their
departure. Jack would fly ‘plane-plane’ to his home in Tellico Plains, TN,
while Gerald would drive Jack’s motorhome as far as the Knoxville airport
where Jack, and wife Judi would meet up with him to pick it up. From
Knoxville, Gerald had a flight to catch to Atlanta, where his son would meet
him for the drive to home to Milton, FL.
With
Charlie’s knowledge of the route and expert navigation, we reached our
Winnebago County stopover just as the trikes were arriving. This is a view I
have only seen one other time - and that was from the top cover aircraft.
OM’s Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Booklet is off to
a running start. Orders have been pouring in from teachers throughout the
country, and our hard working volunteer shippers, the sister team of Darlene Lambert
and
Cindy Loken, have been sending them out as fast as they come in.
Either
way, the lettuce-y plants I spotted along my strolls along Boghaunter Trail
were indeed rattlesnakeroot. Between those, the elusive four along the West
Site, and another one I found behind the dorms by chance, I had plenty to
keep me busy. Before migration “started”, I had already filled up two Ziploc
baggies worth of tiny little, dandelion-like seeds courtesy of West Site,
Boghaunter, and the dorms.
And
last but certainly not least, my personal favorite, the closed gentian (Gentiana
andrewsii), one of the prettiest plants anyone could hope to find in the
fall season. With its myriad of striking deep blue, bud-like flowers that
never actually open, it truly is a sight to behold. Sadly, even though it’s
the most common gentian, it’s fairly rare.
In
the photo are four Disney cast members with whom OM has been privileged to work.
While
Wisconsin may have seen snow in October before, this is the first year we've
experienced it before leaving on migration. This photo was taken yesterday
by Craniac and CraneCam Driver Darlene Lambert. Darlene lives in Nekoosa,
just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Necedah refuge.
