Operation Migration 2015 (1 Viewer)

Mitchelle · Dec 13, 2015

12/13/2015—Very Strong Winds from the South

There are currently two active weather alerts for Savannah, TN: a flood advisory for the Tennessee River and a wind advisory warning of south winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph throughout the day.

We’ll be here another day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/13/day-75-warm-winds-continue/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 15, 2015

12/14/2015—Late Autumn Spring

Despite the rude lack of long day sunlight
and roaming birds that have gone to find it,
winds from the south and temps of record height—
of so sweet spring the sense is reminded.
—Mitchelle’

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...bsurdly-warm-weather_566e4ebae4b0e292150e5587

Still Windy

Rains showers moved through overnight – just ending about an hour ago. On the surface winds are still blowing at 12 mph and aloft much stronger.

They’re expected to calm early this evening and while they’ll still be from a southerly direction tomorrow morning, they are expected to be much lighter.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/14/day-76-still-windy/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 15, 2015

12/15/2015—Unofficially…

There was a flight this morning, and pilots and cranes are safely on the ground in Winston Alabama.

Mitchelle · Dec 15, 2015

12/15/2015—Sixty-six Miles and Beautiful Pics

…66 more miles to add to our total. This morning’s flight lasted 1 hour and 48 minutes and all six cranes stayed with Brooke the entire flight.

In lieu of Brooke’s lead pilot report, which will be late due to him having to double back to retrieve a vehicle, please enjoy these photos… http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/15/day-77-migration-update/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 16, 2015

12/16/2015—The Erase, The Chat Room, The Live Cam, The Down Day, The Lead Pilot Report

By the time I could look for today’s turn of events, I gathered that yesterday was missing. It somehow vanished from OM’s website. Thus, I went to the chat room to see what was going on, and the live cam let me know that the class of 2015 was taking a day off.

Of course, I sent Heather an email to let her know what hundreds of others had probably already told her; and once the site so wonderfully regained yesterday, today’s down day was confirmed, and Brooke Pennypacker’s Lead Pilot Report from yesterday appeared in all its bold and glorious headline font.

I’m about to read it now.

Wait…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Okay, here it is:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/16/day-77-lead-pilot-report/

Oh, I also repaired the broken link in the previous post. Those pics are breath taking. Look:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/15/day-77-migration-update/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 18, 2015

12/17/2015—Fog, Rain, and Wind

Three Strikes

We’re out – for the day.

1. We have a dense fog advisory
2. Rain showers along our planned flight path
3. Winds from north –north =west at 12 mph on the surface
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/17/day-79-three-strikes/

By the way, Operation Migration’s Jo-Anne Bellemer has some stuff to tell you about.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/17/the-stuff-they-dont-tell-you-about/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 19, 2015

12/18/2015—Attempt Aborted and a Break For Christmas

No Go

While Joe was able to launch with the young Whooping cranes this morning, once aloft the conditions were very trashy and they had a difficult time forming up on the aircraft wing.

After several attempts the decision was made to return them to the Winston County, Alabama pensite.

Watch the following clip as they returned… [It’s a thirty-second clip that made a smile come to my face despite the fact that they were returning to where they started.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/18/day-80-no-go/

Heading Home for the Holidays

…After much discussion, we just now made the decision that our current migration stop is the safest – both for the cranes and the aircraft. The crane pen is located very close to camp and here we have the luxury of a hangar to keep the aircraft out of the elements until we return on December 28th.

Colleen Chase and Jeff Fox will stay here to tend to the birds over the holidays – they’ll be well cared for.

The rest of us will pick up rental cars tomorrow and head to our respective homes in Florida, North Carolina, Ontario and Rhode Island to spend time with our families….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/18/heading-home-for-the-holidays/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 21, 2015

12/21/2015—Cure for Whooper Withdrawal Syndrome

2008 Operation Migration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prd57DTzqoA

2014 Operation Migration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL_be6zCMpw

Mitchelle · Dec 23, 2015

12/23/2015—Cranes Threatened by Fierce Storms

You can’t relax for a minute. Currently, there is a fierce line of storms just to the west of the Winston County, Alabama stopover. The line of storms is heading northeastwardly, and it looks like the southern tip of the storms might pass to the north of the cranes.

What follows is an excerpt from an OM notice published earlier today.

There is not much you can do if 200 mph winds whip through the area except evacuate ahead of time. We can’t tie down the RVs or secure the hangar. In fact the hangar is large and strong enough that we could park our trailers and motorhomes inside and we may do just that.

The pen has been staked down with extra ropes and multiple pegs so it looks like it’s been captured by a monster spider. Crates have been set up and if there is time, the birds will be boxed and moved to a shelter. If not, they will be released to hunker down as they would in the wild but without the hazard of a pen blowing around them.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/23/stormy-weather/

Mitchelle · Dec 24, 2015

12/24/2015—Crated Overnight and Currently Back in the Pen

By virtue of the OM chat room and live crane cam, it can be somewhat confidently surmised that the young whoopers spent the night in crates, sheltered somewhere from the storm; and quite certainly reported that they are now back, safely, in the pen.

Mitchelle · Dec 26, 2015

12/26/2015—It was a Dark & Stormy Night
by Colleen Chase

…We were lucky. Seven people died last night in northern Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee. People are still missing as I write this so that figure could climb….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/24/it-was-a-dark-stormy-night-2/

Mitchelle · Dec 29, 2015

12/29/2015—Back At It.., …Sort’a Kind’a

Resuming the Journey

The crew has returned from the Christmas break and we’re ready to go… Now if only the winds would give us a break.

This morning, [they’re] light on the surface, but from the southwest. At 3000 ft. they’re also from the southwest – it’s what is in between the surface and 3000 ft. that we’re wondering about.

We’ll be putting an aircraft up shortly after sunrise to check conditions firsthand. If the decision is made to stand down, Colleen and I will still release the young cranes to allow them to spend some time with the aircraft to re-connect.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/29/day-82-resuming-the-journey/

Standing Down

Even before Joe was airborne this morning it became apparent that we wouldn’t be going anywhere today.

Instead we let the cranes out for a flight and to spend some time in one of the many new ponds in the area. [See pics.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/29/day-82-standing-down/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,204 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 30, 2015

12/30/2015—Rain

While the winds have turned around and are from a north-westerly direction, there is rain falling. We’ll be standing down and will wait to see what tomorrow brings.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/30/day-83-rain-showers/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,214 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Dec 31, 2015

12/31/2015—Winds Too Strong

While the winds this morning are from the right direction, they’re way too strong (12 mph) on the surface to allow us to advance to our next migration stop. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/31/day-84-staying-put/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,219 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Jan 1, 2016

01/01/2016—Winds Too Strong Again

Right Direction, Wrong Speed

On this, the first day of 2016, the winds are from the north. Unfortunately, they’re quite strong even on the surface.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/01/day-85-right-direction-wrong-speed/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,219 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Jan 2, 2016

01/02/2016—Not the Wind, Not Rain, Not For, Nor Low Ceiling

We’re not sure if it’s the fact we’ve been here since December 15th or the lure of the new pond at the end of the runway but something kept the cranes from wanting to leave.

Joe and Brooke did their best rodeo-ing in the air and Colleen and I did our best swamp-monstering on the ground.

After 49 minutes of south/north trips the conditions started to deteriorate and Joe made the call to let them land – which they did. In the pond. [See pics.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/02/day-86-no-go/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,225 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Jan 3, 2016

01/03/2015—Takeoff, Skip, and Speculation

There was a migration this morning from Winston County, Alabama. “They” skipped the Walker County, Alabama stopover and flew on to the Chilton County, Alabama stopover. There is, however, a disclaimer with the use of the word “they” insomuch as early unofficial reports suggested that only five cranes eventually made the flight. The speculation was such that after several attempts to get on course, number two was “put in a truck”. The truth of such speculation was not addressed in OM’s initial report of day’s migration, a portion, of which, follows.

This was our fourth attempt to depart our Winston County, AL migration stop and patience, again, paid off and rewarded us with a SKIP!

We’re now at our Chilton County, Alabama stop!

It’ll be a very long day as both pilots, along with Jeff and Dave are doubling back to get the rest of the vehicles.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/03/fourth-time-is-a-charm-2/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,230 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Jan 4, 2016

01/04/2015—The Bad, the Good, and the Sad

The Bad

There was no flight today due to thirty-mile-an-hour winds aloft

Winds on the surface are currently calm and expected to increase as the morning progresses. Aloft, they’re blowing at a very healthy 30 mph, which is far too strong to permit a flight to Lowndes County, AL today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/04/day-88-down-for-the-day/

The Good

Yesterday, there was a flight, there was a stopover skip; and the one thing that kept the day from being great was the fact that number two went by land instead of air.

What follows are excerpts from yesterday’s lead pilot report.

It was still a little bumpy over the ridge but number 2-15 was in a crate and two of our volunteers, Sheba and Huw were parked near the runway lake, ready to make noise and flash headlights. Our host Dan, helped Colleen release the cranes, while Heather hid next to a nearby hunter’s blind, ready to burst out in swamp monster garb just as the birds and I flew past.

It all seemed to work. They didn’t appear fixated on the runway lake, nor the pen. Still, they turned back too many times to count….

…As we moved slowly higher we began to pick up a little of that smooth tailwind and our ground speed increased from 41 to 53 mph. The birds were soaring and hadn’t turned back in awhile. They looked strong enough to carry on so we made the decision to skip that site….

…The only down side was number 2-15 still back at the starting point. Brooke was to turn back once we were underway and then lead her south alone. But by the time I got the birds organized we were too far along for him to head back, so she made the trip in a crate.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/03/day-87-lead-pilot-report/

The Sad

Marsha’s dead.

Refuge manager Terry Peacock informed us that her volunteer trackers discovered the remains of female sub-adult Whooping crane 10-14 near the winter pen on the first day of 2016.

While monitoring the radio signals for the eight cranes at the refuge, they noted that true to form 10-14, dubbed “Marsha” for her propensity early on to wander off into the marsh during training sessions with the aircraft, continued to occasionally wander away from the group of cranes she had been associating with….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/04/sad-news-from-st-marks/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,234 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Jan 6, 2016

01/05/2016—Uncooperative Winds

Wrong Way Winds

Yet again the winds are not in our favor. This morning it is actually calm on the surface but aloft at only 1000 ft they are from the east-southeast and blowing at 27 mph.

Down for the day…
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/05/day-88-wrong-way-winds/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,236 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

Mitchelle · Jan 7, 2016

01/06/2016—No Good Wind

East Winds…

…are still blowing and still strong aloft.

We are down for the day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2016/01/06/day-89-east-winds/

Urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to consider actual scientific data before ending the use of the ultralight aircraft-guided release method: the most successful Whooping Crane recovery method in use.

3,239 of 4,000.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

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