Operation Migration 2015 (1 Viewer)

[Mitchelle]

09/29/2015—First, the typical news: weather has opened the act in character, has once again played its antagonistic part, its villainous role in impeding the launch of Operation Migration. See here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/09/26/departure-aborted/ and here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/09/27/fog-2-om-0/

Now, for the good news: Peanut (4-14) survived the winter, is now a scrapping young sub-adult, and has been spotted in the neighborhood. See here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/09/29/aerial-survey/ and here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/09/29/whooping-crane-4-14/

 

[Mitchelle]

09/30/2015—They Took Off Today

Distance Traveled: 5 Miles
To Location: (Another location in) Green Lake County, Wisconsin

“Today’s lead pilot, Joe Duff landed and got into position in front of the pensite. He gave Colleen Chase and I the thumbs up to release the young cranes, which had been peeping excitedly and pecking at the door as soon as they heard the trike approaching.

At 7:15 am CT all six cranes launched with the aircraft and began heading north with the trike. Joe did a sweeping turn to the west, allowing all of them to lock on to his left wingtip and fly the 5 miles to our first migration stop – still in Green Lake County, yet away from what the cranes perceive to be ‘home.’” More here:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/09/30/and-theyre-off-2/

See video of the takeoff here: http://www.wildearth.tv/videomark/migration-2015-day-one

The Super Six

“Every season we have good followers and some that are independent. We have aggressive cranes and indifferent cranes and some that turn back. But there are always a few that love the aircraft and are eager to fly. Maybe this year we got a whole flock of them just by coincidence or happenstance and we can’t take false credit for any of it….

…Under normal circumstances we would have just written this morning off as another delayed start. But if we are going to take advantage of their dedication to the aircraft, what better opportunity? The destination was only five miles away. Even if they never found the sweet spot off the wingtip, they could make it that far. And if they didn’t, we could just turn it into another training day….

...But as I touched down in a short crop of clover they landed right next to the trike. They all stood at attention, heads up, eyes wide and moved closer to the aircraft as the only thing familiar in a strange new environment.” More here:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/09/30/lead-pilot-report-the-super-six/

Meet the class of 2015. Open the link beneath each picture and learn a little about their personalities: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/crane/15/BandingCodes.html

 

[Mitchelle]

10/01/2015—Wind

Sanding Down

“Everyone was in position this morning and ready to go. Unfortunately, once Brooke and Joe were airborne it quickly became apparent that winds aloft, although from a favorable direction, were just too strong to risk advancing 14 miles to our next scheduled stop in Marquette County, WI.”
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/01/day-2-standing-down/

Meet Whoopsie the Whooping-Sandhill Crane hybrid.

A Whoophill Called Whoopsie

“WCEP has confirmed the first wild hatched crane chick in the Wisconsin Rectangle area – unfortunately, it’s not a Whooping crane… well, half of it is. The other half is a Sandhill crane.

The happy family consists of male DAR #16-11 and a pretty little Sandhill crane Mom, and their fuzzy orange hybrid chick, aptly named ‘Whoopsie.’” See photos:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/06/09/a-whoophill-called-whoopsie/

Whoopsie Has a New Home
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/01/whoopsie-has-a-new-home/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/02/2015 & 10/03/2015—Down Both Days Makes Three Days Down

Wind http://hint.fm/wind/

10/02/2015—Down Again
“Winds aloft are too strong and from the east to attempt a flight this morning. We’ll remain in Green Lake County, Wisconsin for another day.”
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/02/day-3-down-again/

10/03/2015—Standing Down
“As soon as I opened the RV door moments ago, I realized we would not be migrating today….
…aloft (3,000ft) winds are a healthy 25 knots.”
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/03/day-4-standing-down/

Operation Migration Information Handout
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/Operation Migration Info Sheet.pdf

 

[Mitchelle]

10-04-2015—No Migration Again Today

Still Down

Winds aloft are 15 knots at 3,000 feet and on the surface they’re simply too strong to risk a flight today.

Tomorrow (Monday) morning is shaping up to be a fly day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/04/day-5-still-down/

Night Light: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/04/the-pitot-tube/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/15/2015—FOG

This is the fifth day down.

No Go

And just like that the clouds fell – surrounding us in a shroud of mist and putting a halt to any flight plans for today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/05/no-go-2/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/06/2015—FOG

This was the sixth day down.

http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/06/day-7-fog/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/07/2015—Ditched

Today’s attempt was more like a joy ride than a flight. It was beautiful to watch, but disappointing to consider. See video: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/07/video-from-this-morning-2/

After a week on the ground, one would think the young cranes would be bursting with excitement and ready to exit the pen but this morning, they seemed a bit confused and needing some convincing from Colleen and I that it really was time to take off after the aircraft.

In their defence – this was the first time ever they’ve launched from the travel pen so I suppose I can understand their confusion.

Very quickly they were all in the air and attempting to follow Brooke toward the west. Brooke made a sweep turn to the south to allow them to catch up but two fell back and landed in the field – to the west.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/07/day-8-not-so-positive-after-all/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/08/2015—Wind

Down for the Day

Winds this morning are from the south and increasing in strength. We’re down for another day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/08/day-9-down-for-the-day/

Wildscreen Arkive –Whooping Crane
http://www.arkive.org/whooping-crane/grus-americana/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/09/2015—Wind Gusts

While the winds this morning are from a favorable direction, they’re anything but smooth. One minute there is barely a puff of air and the next the leaves on the trees are rustling and the grasses are bending.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/09/day-10-standing-down/

Night Light: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...&mid=518CC283471FF975E428518CC283471FF975E428

 

[Mitchelle]

10/10/2015—Nope, Not Against the Wind

Southwest Winds

The winds from the southwest will keep us grounded for another day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/10/day-11-southwest-winds/

In approximately thirty minutes, OM is going to hold a live camera/chat session for one hour, so they can introduce some of their volunteers! Here’s how you can watch or participate: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/10/day-11-southwest-winds/

 

[Mitchelle]

10-11-2015—Wind

Southwest Wind Continues

You know it’s been windy when even the locals are commenting on it. Yesterday we spent some time walking around the town of Princeton and a number of the folks we spoke with complained about how windy it’s been for the past couple of weeks.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/11/day-12-southwest-winds-continue/

During yesterday’s video chat, I posed the question, “Does it seem like high winds have become more of a problem as the years have passed?”

Joseph Duff answered my question. Paraphrasing his answer in short, he said that he has not detected such a trend.

I asked the question, because I have a feeling that average North American winds are increasing. Other than hurricanes and spring storms, however, I can find no evidence that North American wind speeds are increasing. In fact, all recent wind studies (albethey surface wind studies) are finding that Northern American winds speeds are decreasing: changing a bit, but not increasing. For example: http://www.meteor.iastate.edu/windresearch/resources/Wind_Speed_Changes_Over_North_America.pdf

 

[Mitchelle]

10-12-2015-Wind Again

It was a balmy 63 degrees at 5am CT, which is evidence of the continuing southwest winds in the area.

We won’t be going anywhere today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/12/day-13-down-for-the-day/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/13/2015—Winds Too Strong

Right Wind Direction, but…

Wrong wind speed.

At sunrise (7:08 am), winds are supposed to be blowing from the west-northwest at 13 mph, which is unfortunately, too strong.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/13/day-14-right-wind-direction-but/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/14/2015—Four of the Six Went Fourteen Miles

Migration Day: 15
Distance Traveled: 14 miles
Total Distance: 19 miles
To Location: Marquette County, WI

Progress!

Young Whooping crane colts 1, 2, 6 & 10-15 made it to our Marquette County, WI migration stop following Brooke.

The other two (8 & 11-15) dropped out very near the Green Lake County departure location and were eventually crated and delivered to the next site to join the others.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/14/day-15-progress/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/15/2015—Sitting Tight in Marquette County: Wind

Standing Down

Winds on the surface are currently light but expected to get quite gusty and originate from the southwest. Aloft, they’re already blowing at 35 knots from the west.

As if that weren’t enough – there are small pockets of rain showers between our new location in Marquette County and our next stop in Dane County. We’ll be standing down for today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/15/day-16-standing-down/

You might want to read the lead pilot report from yesterday.

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates
by Brooke Pennypacker

Below, the earth exploded in a kaleidoscope of fall color so magical and mesmerizing it made me want to donate my lava lamp to Goodwill and join the Fraternal Order of Leaf People. But how indifferent it was to the petty drama playing out above it.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/15/day-15-lead-pilot-report/

Joe Duff’s account of yesterday might have been entitled, ”We Got By with a Little Help from our Friends”, but he entitled it, “On the Road Again”. Check it out.

The access road is a tractor trail over rocks and sand and up a steep hill. It proved too much for our eleven year old diesel truck and every time I put it into four wheel drive it protested with a loud bang and grinding metal. Generous as always, our stopover host brought down his fifty year old tractor and pulled us out with ease. Back in two wheel drive it worked fine so at least we were not stranded.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/15/on-the-road-again/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/16/2015—Erratic Winds

Standing Down

While winds are from a favorable direction this morning, they’re anything but calm and steady.
We’ll be staying in Marquette County, WI for another day. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/16/day-17-standing-down/

Changing Personalities of Cranes
by Colleen Chase

...After a week and a bit of mulling it I can’t definitively say what is different, but this is what I’ve observed:…

…I can’t describe how interesting it is to watch them grow and change. So much fun and such a privilege! By the time they head back north next spring, they will have changed even more. Once let out of the top-netted pen at St Marks the dynamics will change again drastically. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/16/changing-personalities-of-cranes/

To me, there is nothing more rewarding than working with the cranes year after year, because one year is never like the last one, but every year is amazing in its own way. I will never get tired of working with these magnificent birds, even if I do it another ten years.
—Doug Pellerin
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/16/our-incredible-volunteers/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/17/2015—A Slap in the Face

Strong Winds

I stepped out of the RV all bundled and ready to go and a rather cold wind smacked me across the face. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/17/day-18-strong-winds/

 

[Mitchelle]

10/18/2015—Don’t Know How They Did It, but They Did

The morning report went as follows:

Winds on the surface this morning are non-existent. Aloft they are light and have a northerly component. It’s a see-your-breath morning at 27 degrees and the grass is crunchy with a coating of frost.

Everyone is getting ready to head to our 3rd migration stop 31 miles to the southwest, in Dane County, Wisconsin.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/18/day-19-looking-good/

I can attest to the crunchy grass. I, some five hundred miles to the south, spent the day disposing of my tropical garden. Winter is here.

The mid-day report went as follows:

All the cranes are tucked safely into their travel enclosure in Dane Co., WI.

More later in Joe’s Lead Pilot report.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/18/all-hands-on-deck/

In case you’ve been watching the map:

AintThatAmerica October 18, 2015 5:18 pm Reply
Is the migration route map a little dated? I don’t find a Dane County stop.

Heather Ray October 18, 2015 5:53 pm Reply
It’s a couple miles from the Columbia Co. Stop. I’ve just not had time to update the map.

 

[Mitchelle]

10/19/2015—Today Was a Down Day; but Yesterday Was Up and Down, and Up and Down, and Up and Down

Today:

We’ll be staying put today in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Winds on the surface are at 13+ mph and aloft, at least 30 knots.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/19/day-20-very-windy/

Yesterday:

…When the birds came out of the pen they were strung out in a long line so I waited until the last one emerged. Two of them flew right above me so I did a high speed taxi under them until it was safe to lift off. By that time they had all clustered up and I climbed into their midst.

They formed on the wing in perfect order and we turned on course with no indication that any of them wanted to turn back….

…In fact, during the entire trip we never got higher [than] 300 feet….

…In the end, the first bird to drop out was the only one to make it.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/10/19/lead-pilot-report-day-19/

Distance Traveled: 31 miles
Total Distance: 50 miles
Current Location: Dane County, WI

Lodi, to the north, is the nearest town. I hope they don’t get stuck there again.