Operation Migration 2014 (1 Viewer)

The planned takeoff date for the fourteenth annual human-led Whooping Crane southward migration—from Green Lake County, Wisconsin to Saint Mark’s Wildlife Refuge, Florida (1,117 miles)—is this coming Sunday, September 21.

The class of 2014 currently consists of seven juveniles: six females and one male. Although they have now grown a bit since the following May photographs—and 5-14 has been discovered to be so genetically valuable as to be switched out for one 10-14—you can see all but 10-14 here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/05/22/meet-the-new-crane-kids-on-the-block/
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Operation Migration Team,

On May 22, 2014, "Meet the New (Crane) Kids on the Block" introduced seven chicks: 2-14, 3-14, (my favorite) 4-14, 5-14, 7-14, 8-14, and 9-14.

On May 27, 2014, "Warning - Extreme Cuteness" included pictures of 2-14, 4-14 (Peanut), and 5-14, who had been fitted with a yellow leg band.

On July 7, 2014, "Introducing the Whooping Crane Class of 2014" re-introduced 2-14, 3-14, 4-14, 7-14, 8-14, and 9-14; however, 5-14 was not among the seven and, out of the blue, there is suddenly a 10-14.

Please explain what happened to 5-14 and how there suddenly became a 10-14.

God's speed,
Mitchelle'
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Easy explanation - 5-14 was held back in the captive population as he was considered genetically significant.
To make up for that loss, we were given #10-14
Heather Ray
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Please become a MileMaker!
Operation Migration Inc.
6 High St., Unit A
Port Perry, ON L9L1H8
Operation Migration USA Inc.
#639 - 1623 Military Rd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Tel: 800-675-2618
Fax: 905-982-1097
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You can also see 2-14, 4-14 (my favorite), and, the now excluded, 5-14 here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/05/27/warning-extreme-cuteness/

"Operation Migration’s Whooping Crane Class of 2014": http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/07/07/introducing-the-whooping-crane-class-of-2014-2/

As I keep an eye on this year’s progress, my prayers will be with the brave and dedicated men and women associated with the Operation Migration Team, with the oh-so-special Whooping Cranes, and with their very, very much appreciated social, avian, scientific, and economic supporters.

The Day They Arrived

My, how they’ve grown.

July 9, 2014—They Have Arrived!

At 2:45pm yesterday and after a flight aboard a private jet, which took off at 9:30am from Baltimore, Maryland, the seven young Whooping cranes that comprise the Class of 2014 were released from their individual crates in the enclosure at the White River Marsh training facility.

First out was number 10-14. When Richard van Heuvelen opened the crate door, she at first stayed inside, looking out at her new surroundings. While she was getting her bearings, Richard has the second and third crate opened.

One-by-one they all tentatively stepped out into the bright sunlight, looking great after their long trip to Wisconsin….

…Here are some photos captured yesterday.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/07/09/they-have-arrived/

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Peanut Buttered

Image your heart desiring a certain outcome. Imagine that outcome having to do with an element as essential as life itself, as important as money or family, or as serious as an intimate relationship or, dare I say, a favorite team’s upcoming season.

For now, and for the sake of simplicity and expediency, let’s just focus on a favorite team’s upcoming season. The time for training, conditioning, and practice has come to an end, and the regular season starts tomorrow. Management is all geared up, coaches are in place, and the roster is set; however, there is one player on the roster who’s training, conditioning, and practice opportunities have been hampered by injury.

During the past thirteen years of protocol and tradition, that player would normally be known as #4-14, but such is not so much the case this year. Due to some kind of tug on some feature of one Brooke Pennypacker (Operation Migration pilot and crane handler), that player is now also known as Peanut.

See Peanut in the second photo from the top: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/07/10/crane-chicks-first-day/

Peanut’s injury was announced on August 27th:

Yesterday morning provided good weather conditions and allowed for Brooke to train with six of our seven young Whooping cranes. Our only male crane this year, no. 4-14 developed a limp yesterday morning so he stayed behind in the pen to not stress the injury further. He was examined yesterday afternoon by Dr. Barry Hartup from the International Crane Foundation and the UW Veterinary Care – University Wisconsin, who determined the injury to be involving the soft tissue surrounding his right hock joint, so he’ll be on the disabled list for at least a week to allow it to heal. Number 4-14 will be on a week-long regime of medication to help alleviate pain.

Dr. Hartup believes the injury occurred when a strong storm passed through the area early Monday morning. The cranes have a habit of getting excited in windy conditions and leaping in the air. Chances are he landed wrong and jarred the leg.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/08/27/a-break-in-the-weather/

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The September 3rd update on Peanut’s injury:

We mentioned last week that our only male Whooping crane in the Class of 2014 had sustained an injury to his hock. Crane #4-14 (aka Peanut) is improving and his limp is getting better. He’s on a daily regime of meds for pain and swelling. Doug Pellerin sent along this photo from yesterday, showing Geoff Tarbox administering a smelt, which contains his morning dose of medication.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/03/whooping-crane-4-14-improving/

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The September 8th training update indicated that Peanut was anxious to get back into the thick of things:

The weather cooperated over the weekend and we were able to train with the young Whooping cranes on both Saturday and Sunday. Number 4-14 is still on restricted duty but yesterday when I was one of the costumes, along with Tom Schultz, I was able to watch his reaction as his flockmates and the aircraft were going through their paces.

He SO wanted to fly. He peeped loud. Very loud – each time the trike would pass by, and he flapped and ran across the width of the wetpen. His limp is barely noticeable now, however, re-injury is possible so we’ll take it slow, incorporating him back into the line-up.

Once training was finished with the others, we let him out onto the runway to mingle, and to be near the aircraft. He leaped and danced and even took off on a short circuit over the pensite. Joe started the trike engine a couple of times and he didn’t flinch at all.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/08/training-update-7/

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September 9th sees Peanut still sidelined:

We were able to train the cranes yesterday as well as Saturday and Sunday, making for a 3-day stretch. With the poor weather lately, it’s good to get 3 days in a row.

Tom and I released the cranes after sequestering number 4-14 in the wetpen….

…Yours truly entertains #4-14 with some floating mealworms while his cohort trains with the aircraft.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/09/training-recap-4/

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The September 19th Operation Migration Team Status Report reflections an optimism that quelled my fear that Peanut would not be allowed to travel with the team, and sustains hope in my desire to see him touch down—with the six ladies—behind an ultralight at St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge.

…but I have to admit that number 4 is fast becoming my favorite. Dubbed Peanut by Brooke, because he was the smallest chicklet, [he is] the only male in a harem of females. Poor guy, his legs were wonky when he was young and he hurt his right leg playing in the wind in a storm about 3 weeks ago. It has not healed as quickly as hoped and was re-injured a week ago as he played on the runway.

Wednesday, he went to see Dr. Barry Hartup at the International Crane Foundation. After being boxed, splinted and boxed again I was prepared for a cold shoulder this afternoon at roost check, these birds can and do hold a grudge after being handled. I can’t tell you how tickled I was to have him come over as I crouched down to study that leg, and want to pick on my puppet. We beat up a few blades of grass together then took turns pounding a clod into the mud. He won, he drowned it. With some luck we will see Peanut flying with his girls in a few weeks.

What a great start to this migration. Here’s to a safe first journey for these girls and their Peanut, the pilots and the ground crew that do their best to make sure that Whooping Cranes will be around for future generations to fall in love with! [See the photo of Peanut’s leg brace.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/19/7133/

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So, once again, image your heart desiring a certain outcome. Now, imagine that outcome having to do with an element as essential as life itself, as important as money or family, or as serious as a favorite team’s upcoming season or (dare I say) an intimate relationship.

The Night Before Day One

A line of thunder storms passed through the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area tonight, and the morning of September 21 is likely to be cool and cloudy. I don’t know what other foul weather condition might arise to delay the first leg of Operation Migration, but I do know a bit about Whooping Cranes and Operation Migration that will indicate why this migration thing is such a big deal to so many bird lovers.

The Whooping Crane
This larger than life bird has become the icon for endangered species, is one of only two cranes found in North America. The Whooping Crane has suffered major population decline due to habitat loss and over-hunting. The population fell to only 15 individuals in the 1940s. Whooping Cranes were classified as endangered in 1967….

…When the weather is good and the winds favorable, a migrating Whooping Crane flies like a glider, on fixed wings. The bird spirals upwards (aided by thermal activity), glides down, dropping as low as 70 meters above ground, and then begins spiraling upward again. This spiraling and gliding, carried out when the cranes encounter suitable thermal updrafts, is energy-efficient and allows the cranes to fly nonstop for great distances….

…In early spring, while still on the wintering grounds, pairs of cranes whoop and dance as part of courtship. Dancing intensifies until the migrants depart, usually in mid-March….

…A pair usually has two eggs. Both eggs generally hatch, but if both eggs are left in the nest, usually only one chick survives….

…It is believed that approximately 1,400 whooping cranes existed in 1860. Their population declined because of hunting and habitat loss until 1941 when the last migrating flock dwindled to an all-time low of 15 birds. The wild flock has slowly increased to over 300 currently. This flock winters in and around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf coast of Texas. In spring, they migrate north, nesting in Wood Buffalo National Park, which straddles the border of Alberta and Northwest Territories in Canada. This flock of whooping cranes is the only naturally occurring wild population in the world.
http://www.operationmigration.org/the-whooping-crane.asp

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How do we get the birds to follow the aircraft?
Waterfowl eggs, raised in captivity, are collected and placed in incubators. The eggs are flown to the captive-rearing location where they are turned three times daily to simulate what happens in the wild. At this time, the imprinting process begins. The handlers play a recording of an aircraft engine to the eggs when turning them.

When the birds hatch, they first see a waterfowl puppet head. The type of puppet depends on the type of waterfowl that are hatching-Sandhill crane, Canada geese, etc. The baby birds are placed under heat lamps until they are strong enough to start exercising.
After a few days, the birds are led to a "circle pen" for initial taxi-training with the ultralight aircraft. Again, the birds hear recorded engine sounds but this time, they also hear natural brood calls.

As the birds mature and develop flight feathers, they exercise regularly, following the handler and aircraft up and down the runway. Their first flight is behind the ultralight: as it lifts into the air, the young birds follow. The flock is led on flights daily, weather permitting, building their strength and endurance for the autumn migration. When the time comes, the birds follow the ultralight aircraft, as they would their parents, on a pre-determined route south.

How does dominance affect the aircraft-led flock?
The structure of a flock is an important factor that we consider when trying to condition birds to follow our aircraft. Each group of birds, usually starting with a family unit, has a dominance structure or "pecking order." This is true about every social species, including humans.

In the avian world, the structure is established by aggressive behavior. Larger birds monopolize the food source leaving others to fend for themselves. This is nature's way of ensuring the survival of the strongest and it also applies when the birds are airborne.

The wave generated by the lead bird forms a "V": the typical chevron formation of geese and cranes. The most aggressive and hardiest bird takes the lead or point position. With each down-beat of that bird's wings, air is forced out and rolls off the wingtip, creating a vortex much like the wake behind a boat. The other birds can sense this nuance in the air and surf on it, making the job of flying slightly easier. Each bird in order adds to the wake, assisting the birds behind, from strongest to weakest and creating one cadence, one flock. With this method, a group of birds of differing abilities can fly at a constant speed with a common endurance.

Contrary to popular belief, this is not benevolent behavior. The dominance structure sets the parameters of the flock and allows it to stay together. The lead bird is not trying to assist weaker flock mates but, more accurately, competing. The "V" works like a bicycle race: the rider in second place will stay behind the leader, working in his slip stream and waiting for him to tire before stealing the lead.

When leading birds with an aircraft, we have to help establish their order, ensuring that we are the most dominant so we can dictate the direction. In order to do so, we monitor the birds' natural dominance and move them from group-to-group based on collected data.
http://www.operationmigration.org/faq-frequently-asked-questions-operation-migration.asp

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Now, I’ll count Whooping Cranes until I fall asleep.

September 21: Delayed Migration Start

Joe Duff entered this morning’s report (twice), and the outcome unfolded somewhat as I had expected. I had a feeling there would be a low ceiling, but I was unaware that there was still prep work that needed to be performed. Alas, today did seem a bit early for the migration start date.

…Today was our target departure date for the 2014 migration but it stormed all night, the ceilings are low and wind is gusting to 15. In addition to that, we still have a lot of work to do. The birds received their transmitters this past week. All of them except number 4, whose leg is injured, where fitted with leg mounted VHF units and three of them had backpack satellite devices attached. That meant they had to be grabbed and held for 20 minutes and to a Whooping crane, there is no greater indignity. Their trust in us evaporated when we caught them by the bustle and escorted them out the gate to the waiting handlers who slipped a hood over the eyes and gathered them up.

With patience, they will get over their distrust but some of them are sore from struggling and each one has a different tolerance for new hardware they carry. Add to that a long string of windy mornings and we end up with birds unsure they can fly and reluctant to follow us.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/21/delayed-migration-start/

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Go to the Operation Migration home page and click the “WATCH VIDEO” prompt located at the lower left of the initially appearing display: http://www.operationmigration.org/#

September 22: What a TREAT!

The Whooping Cranes and the Operation Migration crew are, apparently, still not ready to launch; however, we did get some tacit and fascinating insights into the current situation at White River Marsh via Jo-Anne Bellemer’s report of her recent experiences in “The Pen”.

I got to don my costume several times this past week and enter that most hallowed ground that is called simply “The Pen.” What an experience!

The first time was the day after the birds had been dressed out in bling: leg transmitters for all but Peanut (#4-14) and backpack transmitters for three birds (2, 7, and 9)….

…Bonding with Peanut has been, how should I say this… interesting. For a few days Peanut hated my puppet or me or both. He wailed on my puppet, bit it, poked my head, and bit my arm. Now don’t get nervous – the pokes can hurt, but the nips do not. They are gentle, kind of like when your dog (if you have one) mouths you in play. Regarding the pokes, I’m glad I was wearing a helmet!!!

Yesterday I was watching them eat grape-treats and noticed that you can see the entire grape go down the side of their neck – whole! A big bulge travels down the right side of the neck with each grape. It was fascinating to watch! I’ve heard Heather and Colleen mention this in the past, but had forgotten about it until I witnessed it with my own wide-as-they-can-be-open eyes.

As I write this, I just returned from doing “roost check” with Colleen. All is well with the birds. #7 is no longer shy; #10 is no longer obsessed with preening her leg antenna; Peanut is no longer wailing on me, and he’s walking great with his new leg brace.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/22/what-a-treat/

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A not so cool fact that led to Jo-Anne’s treat-of-a- time in “The Pen”:

In 1975 in an experimental effort to establish a second migratory wild flock of WhoopingCranes, eggs were transferred to nests of Sandhill Cranes at Gray's Lake National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Idaho. The Sandhill Crane "foster parents" raised the Whooping Cranes and took them to wintering grounds at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. These cross-fostered cranes, however, failed to form pair bonds with each other, pairing instead with Sandhill Cranes, and also suffered high mortality rates. The program was discontinued in 1989 and no Whooping Cranes survive in this population.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whooping_Crane/lifehistory

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September 23: Early Migration

Evidently, Operation Migration and their seven adopted Whooping Cranes are still not ready to start their southward migration; however, four wild adult Whooping Cranes appear to know exactly what time it is.

It would appear that the wild flock of Whooping cranes are already on the move. Refuge staff at Aransas are reporting that four adult Whoopers in the Wood Buffalo-Aransas flock have been spotted in Texas already.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/23/early-migration/

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It only makes sense that four apparently childless adult Whooping Cranes would see the days shortening, and head out for the fruits of their summer home as soon as the benefits of staying appear to start waning and the promises of leaving beckon more and more alluringly. Further, being unencumbered by offspring, in itself, bestows a certain expediency. On the other hand ( or wing tip), getting seven juveniles ready for a twelve-hundred-mile road trip—be they humans or be they birds—is quite a different story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye4Swf3-yDM

YOUTUBE/GOOGLE WARNING: If you get that “video converter” thing, don’t click it. Your computer doesn’t need or want what it’s trying to give it. Just watch the video.

September 24: Two-fer Training Days

It’s been a full week since our young Whooping cranes were handled to have their legbands and backpacks put on and they’re starting to trust the costumes again after many pounds of grapes, blueberries and mealworms.

We’ve been able to train with them for the past two days and yesterday all six were airborne, albeit briefly. Number 4-14 is still on the mend and is sitting out training sessions for a few more days. He’s walking very well with his specially fitted hock brace and we’re confident he’ll be back in the air soon.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/24/two-fer-training-days/

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The following 2009 video sheds a little light the wild bunch of Whoopers who make their summer home in the aforementioned Aransas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2C81bXu29I

YOUTUBE/GOOGLE WARNING: If you get that “video converter” thing, don’t click it. Your computer doesn’t need or want what it’s trying to give it. Just watch the video.

September 25: To Backpack or Not to Backpack and a New Target Departure Date

Backpack transmitters are used on many wild birds because their antennas point in the right direction to reach the satellite receivers, they can be fitted with solar chargers and they are larger for more batteries. The down side is that they are fastened on using Teflon straps around the wings and they seem to disrupt the airflow over the bird’s back. That pulls the feathers up destroying the lift and well as creating drag.

Whether it’s the weight, the straps, or the disrupted laminar airflow, the birds are unable to fly the way they once did. Yesterday we made several training flights circling the pen site as the backpack fitted birds cut the corners and landed back on the runway. The other three locked on to the aircraft and followed it for 13 minutes…..

… Just for our own amusement, we have set next Monday, September 29 as our target departure date. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/25/7161/

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Me and mom will try to protect and help our children (no matter how old they get) as long we live; however, their came a point when we could no longer vigilantly attempt to track their every move. The essence of that point was easier for me to accept than it was for mom, but we shared—and still do share—the same fears.

Having said that, I wish Silicon Valley would come up with a far less bulky, less restrictive, less cumbersome tracking device… …for the Whooping Cranes. (Place a “yeah, right" emoticon here.)

Extra, Extra Read All About It: Captive Whooping Cranes Released Into the Wild

Four whooping crane chicks raised in captivity began their integration into the wild Saturday as part of the continuing effort to increase the wild population of this endangered species.
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4011#.VCTBW_ldWSp

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September 26: Training Weather

Operation Migration woke up this morning thinking it would be a great day for training. I can’t wait for them to tell us how things went.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/26/training-weather/

At this moment, I can see that all seven of them appear to be doing fine. Live Cam: http://www.operationmigration.org/cranecam.asp

You can lead a whooper chick to food, but you’ll also have to teach it how to eat: http://www.arkive.org/whooping-crane/grus-americana/video-17.html

September 27: The Ups and Downs of Live Cam Viewing by Mitchelle’
http://www.operationmigration.org/cranecam.asp

At approximately 7:51AM marsh time, an ultralight swooped into view, touched down near the start of a strip of close-cut grass, rolled onward to the door of the pen area, and did an about-face. (According to the chatter scrolling up in the chat room box to the right of the reduced live cam view, the ultralight was being piloted by Richard Van Heuvelen.)
http://www.operationmigration.org/operation-migration-team-members.asp

The pen door was opened by one of the two costume-clad crew members located inside the pen. On cue, one by one, six young, backpackless, female Whooping Cranes began nonchalantly sauntering out of the pen to greet the ultralight. Within seconds, Richard revved up the ultralight engine and proceeded to roll, accelerating faster and faster back up the strip of close-cut grass. Five of the cranes had immediately started to accompany the ultralight, and one had hesitated a noticeable moment before following suit. Despite (or perhaps because of) that fleeting moment of angst, the sight of six pair of long legs running and six pair of big white flapping wings in pursuit of the speeding ultralight was exhilarating to my soul. In the next instant, my spirit experienced an uplifting thrill upon seeing that Richard and all six of the cranes were in the air. The takeoff time was 7:53.

The crane that had hesitated: she lagged a bit behind the rest, but soon caught up insomuch as—to my relief—I was eventually able to count six cranes flying behind the ultralight.

I watched Richard lead the cranes, at a relatively low altitude, in what seemed to be a couple of wide circles around the pen area. At one point during the circling, the Operation Migration logo came to mind. The why-of-course-it-would realization of what had just happened to me brought the flex of a smile to my cheeks. At another point during the circling, the view of the ultralight being followed by the birds appeared so surreal to me as to seem totally unreal: like an oversized image of Santa Claus and his reindeer-pulled sleigh being superimposed and crudely manipulated across a NOAA weather radar screen or Miss Gulch riding her bike through the tornado in the Wizard of Oz. Oh, the things that can run through a person’s mind when watching a man in a propeller-powered glider flying through the air with six Whooping Cranes following as if he and the contraption were one in the same and their parent.

My indulgence in the fantastic came to an abrupt halt when I could only make out five birds flying with the ultralight. Again to my relief, however, after a couple of successive counts and a more intense focus on the scene, I was able to discern that a sixth crane kept getting largely concealed by the right side of the ultralight wing.

Subsequently, the live cam operator started having trouble keeping up with Richard and the cranes. The live cam operator lost them and found them a couple of times within a brief period before completely losing track of them for an extended period. For several minutes, the sound of the ultralight engine could be heard; however, the live cam operator’s repeated three-hundred-sixty-degree sweeps failed to spot the aircraft and birds. Eventually, the ultralight engine could not even be heard, and one chatterer quipped that Richard had gone on migration.

After several more minutes—and yet again to my relief—the sound of the engine could be heard again. Then the actual sight of the ultralight came into view, appearing ever so tiny in the distance. As the ultralight drew closer and the live cam zoomed in, one could once again count the birds in flight. One, two, three, four, five; one, two, three, four, five: every recount turning out the same.

Richard—and to my count—only five of the six cranes were coming in for a landing, and smoothly touching down at approximately 8:13.

As Richard—having exited the ultralight and donned his adult Whooping Crane puppet head—began rewarding the five cranes with what I believe to be grapes, a few of the chatters expressed concern over the missing crane. After several entries of such concern, one chatterer bade us not to worry, proclaiming that the missing crane was hiding “in the blind”. Rather unsure of what that meant, I continued to watch with bated breath. I watched and counted over and over as Richard—appearing to exhibit no other exigency—continued to toss treats to the five cranes gathered around him and the ultralight.

Those seven subjects—and only those seven subjects—were in the live cam picture until the camera operator focused in on Richard pulling a treat out of his costume pouch with his forearm and hand gloved in the puppet head. Then, a couple of seconds later, at approximately 8:21, the camera operator pulled the camera’s focus back to the wider view, and, just like that, the count of five cranes increased to a count of six cranes. Not believing my own eyes, I recounted; and to my absolute and total delight, there really were six cranes in the picture.

Shortly thereafter, Richard re-entered the ultralight and began to slowly taxi further down the strip, toward the pen. All six cranes followed the ultralight to an area in front of the pen door. Richard once again disembarked from the aircraft, one of the two costumed crew members swung open the pen door from within, and the three disguised humans began coaxing the cranes back into the pen with treats. The first three to re-enter the pen did so rather quickly and willingly, although they did so one at a time, and while giving each other plenty of space. Richard used a treat in the bill of his puppet head to lure in the fourth crane, and it seemed that he only had to firmly directionally gesture with the puppet head to get the fifth crane to re-enter. The last crane didn’t give Richard much trouble, but she did seem to emit an air of some attitude other than a willingness to cooperate. She wore what appeared to be a red legband, which would make her #3-14.

At approximately 8:28, with one crew member having left the pen on foot, with all seven cranes (even the still sidelined Peanut) visible in the pen, and with one crew member still in the pen, Richard took off and flew out of sight.

September 27: The ? Backpack Transmitters Removed

If you were watching our camera yesterday morning you will already know that we removed the backpack transmitters from 2-14, 7-14 & 9-14.

Yesterday morning, all of the birds took off ahead of the aircraft, on their own, for a short circuit around the pen, lasting 30 seconds. On the next flight, with the aircraft, the three birds fitted with backpacks dropped out after 30 to 40 seconds, while the other 3 flew for 5 or 6 minutes extending out a mile or so.

This was their fifth training session since the units were fitted, and we have not seen any improvement in their flight ability. The weather was still holding, so Joe gave the order to remove the backpacks and try again. Brooke removed them without the need to pick the birds up, and it was done on the runway in about 30 seconds per bird….

…To us, this was a clear indication that the backpacks were inhibiting them….

…This morning, Richard Van Heuvelen was our lead pilot and all six flew with him, extending out a couple miles from the site, and for a duration of 20 minutes and 9 seconds: pretty conclusive evidence that the backpack transmitters were inhibiting their normal flight ability.

We hope to allow #4-14 out tomorrow (weather permitting) to see if he’ll fly.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/27/backpack-transmitters-removed/

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September 28: The Ups and Downs of Live Cam Viewing (Take 2) by Mitchelle’

The sound of Joe Duffy’s ultralight engine could be heard approaching at approximately 7:55AM marsh time.

Just as something to keep in mind, the sound of distant gunfire could also be heard as Joe approached. It had also occurred prior and would occur several times afterwards at random intervals throughout the morning. Oh, and one more thing: the chat room followers refer to one in costume as a tume, and I will henceforth get with the program.

Joe and the ultralight came into sight at approximately 7:57. He landed and quickly took off with the six ladies. It all happened so fast that I was unsure as to whether Peanut was held back, whether he was out there and just didn’t go along, or whether he just didn’t get out of the pen in time. Be that as it may, the cranes sort of rushed out of the pen door, with wings raised and flapping, in apparent eagerness to fly.

At approximately 8:19, Joe brought them back for a smooth landing. After exiting the ultralight, Joe gestured to the pen, and all of a sudden, Peanut landed amidst the gathering. With raised wings, he bounced around and flew up short distances in the air as if ready to fly, testing his leg, or upset that he did not get to go on the flight. Whichever the case, the fact that he had been first to receive a treat did not seem to have mollified the intensity of his motivations.

Somewhat to our surprise, at 8:25, Joe took off again; and all of the cranes followed except one. We all (I and the chatters) figured that it was Peanut who had not taken to the air. Joe flew the six cranes that did take off at a very low altitude around the pen area for approximately three minutes; then, headed back for a landing. As flock flew in for the landing, they flew over the one crane that didn’t take off. That crane seemed to want to time their approach and take part in the landing, but appeared to mistime or to be unable to build up enough speed to get off the ground. Again, we all thought that crane to be our favorite little injured buddy Peanut.

As the tumes proceeded to get the cranes back in the pen, there came the realization that there were only six cranes. One was missing. Joe and the three other tumes on the scene huddled briefly and then set off on foot back down the runway. As the four tumes disappeared into the high weeds and distance, I and the chatters assumed, speculated, couldn’t quite figure which of the girls was missing. The live cam operator focused in on legbands, but the birds’ movements in the pen, the camera’s necessary focal length, the over-sharpened view, the extremely highlighting sunlight, and its play on the netting over the pen would not allow for positive identification.

Meanwhile, Brooke Pennypacker had taken to the air in a second ultralight, and had started circling an area in the distance. He circled and circled and circled for what seemed an eternity. Two tumes came out of the brush, walked past the pen, and out of view in the opposite direction. Still, Brooke circled. Minutes later, the chatter had decided that the missing crane was Peanut.

He took off; he dropped out of the flight: spiraling in ambivalence, I went to make myself another cup of coffee.

Time passed, Brook’s ultralight went silent, and another tume appeared out of the brush; and still we waited.

Then, at approximately 9:30, another tume appeared from the through the brush.., …then another.., …and then big white wings rose up higher than the weeds. It was Peanut, walking between the two tumes like he was on a Sunday morning hike through the woods with some friends. That is until he saw the close-cut grass of the runway, and decided to do what cranes do best: fly. He took off, leaving the two tumes, and landed by the ultralight, which was parked just feet from the pen door.

Well, that’s about it except for one thing. When Joe was ready to get back to where ever he goes, two adult Whooping Cranes were standing right in the middle of the runway. As Joe taxied up a bit, the two adults just ambled in front of the ultralight like children just dropping by to see mom… …or dad.

I’m sure Joe had to turn around and start all over again, but eventually, the cranes went their own way and allowed Joe to go his. It was a beautiful sight to behold to see the two adult cranes flying off, and then to watch Joe disappearing in the distance of a clear blue sky.

September 29: Wind Scraps Planned Training Day

Post 1: 2014 Migration Does Not Begin Today

The team has decided to delay the start of the 2014 migration for another day to allow one more training flight with #4-14.

The weather this morning should allow us to train with him and the others one final time before we begin heading south
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/29/2014-migration-does-not-begin-today/

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Post 2: So Much for that Plan

As soon as the fog began to clear this morning the wind picked up, which put a halt to even another training attempt.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/29/so-much-for-that-plan/

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September 30: Two Nice Treats In Spite of the Wind

Nice Reward

Those of us waiting at the public flyover location were treated to an exceptional sunrise made even more spectacular when sub-adult Whooping cranes 4-12 and 5-12 flew into view. [See pic.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/09/30/nice-reward/

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Although the winds were too uncooperative for an ultralight, two tumes let Peanut out of the pen to test his leg and stretch his wings. I saw him do both. The things that struck me as almost satisfying as observing his running, jumping and flying were his trust and attachment to the tumes. Those are big deals.

October 1: No Word
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/10/01/possible-training-today/

Operation Migration issued no report on today’s training attempts, but the state of Wisconsin did issue a warning to those who like to shoot at birds.

Wisconsin: Leave Trumpeter Swans & Whooping Cranes Alone

Wisconsin wildlife officials are reminding waterfowl hunters to leave trumpeter swans and whooping cranes alone.

Department of Natural Resources officials say more trumpeter swans and whooping cranes are taking to the skies en route to their winter homes. Both species are protected in Wisconsin and hunters can't legally kill them, but DNR officials say unintentional shootings are still a problem.
Agency officials say hunters need to be absolutely sure what kind of bird is in their sights.

Hunters who kill a swan or crane can face thousands of dollars in fines and lose their hunting privileges. Anyone who kills a crane also could face up to nine months in jail.
http://www.startribune.com/local/277710561.html

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Illinois? Kentucky? Tennessee? Alabama? Florida?
http://www.operationmigration.org/operation-migration-map.asp

October 2: No Word on the Training, but Pen Camera is Done until Next Year
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/10/02/the-beast-died/

I would like to express my great appreciation for having been given the opportunity to view the training sessions that I was able to observe.

Heather, you did good.

October 3: No Official Word Again Today, but I Saw Rain this Morning

We’ll see what happens tomorrow.
http://www.operationmigration.org/

October 4: A Windy Dawn with Rain Approaching from the West

It was a chilly morning in the White River Marsh, but that wasn’t what prevented training. There was a relatively small eastward moving rain cell to the west of the marsh, but if that rain cell had been in western South Dakota, there still would have been no training this morning. High winds, in excess of fifteen miles an hour, raced and gusted through the marsh and most of the United States this morning.

Really! I saw it with my own eyes: http://hint.fm/wind/

Operation Migration has issued two reports this morning.

October 5: Still Waiting Out the Weather

The rain has moved out but it’s still rather windy here in Green Lake County, WI this morning so there will be no training today. It looks as if the winds will continue from a southerly direction for the next couple of days and a bit too strong.

Then again weather forecasters are often wrong, so we’ll wait and see.

The 2013 Whooping crane migration got underway on October 2nd but we ended up staying at our first stopover until October 14th, so if we can get a break in the weather this coming week, we still have a good chance of doing better than we did last year.

Check out the past migration timelines here: http://www.operationmigration.org/migration-timelines.asp

http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/10/05/still-waiting-out-the-weather/

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October 5: Peanut’s Exercise Routine

Joe, Colleen and I went out earlier today to let #4-14 (aka Peanut) out onto the runway for some exercise. While he flapped and strolled along the runway, his six girlfriends peeped loudly inside, voicing their displeasure at having to stay behind in the enclosure.

[See] images I was able to capture during his flight session:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/10/05/peanuts-exercise-routine/

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Also, see piece by Clark Schultz concerning his experience with Operation Migration: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/10/04/meet-volunteer-clark-schultz/