Operation Migration 2014 (1 Viewer)

[Mitchelle]

November 11: High Wind & Approaching Snow

Although from a desirable direction, the winds this morning are too strong at 11mph on the surface. Additionally, there is snow moving in from the southwest.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/11/grounded-for-day-33/

Such is less than that for which we would hope, but Heather has posted a picture of that for which we do hope: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/11/please-send-sun/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 12: High Winds, Cold Air, and a Move to Get Ahead of Them

Brrrrrrrr

Like most of the country, we’re in a mass of very cold air. Winds on the surface at sunrise/flight time will be 10 mph from the northwest. Aloft, they’re much stronger at 25 knots.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/12/brrrrrrrr/

Uncooperative winds have thus far been the bane of this year’s southward migration; however, a new detrimental force is proliferating amidst the migration route: frigid temperatures.

Currently, something akin to last year’s polar vortexes is invading the North American continent, and is expected to progress as far south as northeastern Mexico and hang around for roughly ten days.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/polar-vortex-to-vist-central-u/36890008

In response to such an ominous weather forecast, Operation Migration is breaking from tradition.

Plan B (or C)

…We have never been this far behind and the polar vortex that is bringing wind and record cold temperatures to much of the central part of the continent is predicted to last another week at least. If we wait, there is a good chance that the birds will not follow us after that long on the ground and we will be back to square one. If the strong winds continue thereafter, we could be forced to make a decision, so rather than wait, we are making it now.

After checking the forecasts there is a chance we could fly Saturday – as long as we start from northern Tennessee. So we will take today to pack up and Thursday to drive to Carroll County, Tennessee and begin again….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/12/plan-b-or-c/

…which means the following cannot happen this years.

On November 6, 2014, Brooke Pennypacker, of Operation Migration, posted an account he entitled Crazy Person: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/06/crazy-person/
Today, Operation Migration posted an affectionate rebuttal to Brooke’s point of view.

Crazy Peron “Follow-up”

…But, as they took another look they realized they saw more than the small airplane. Can you imagine the awe in these kids and their chaperone as they saw Brooke and 4 whooping cranes float from the sky and land literally right in front of them? My son saw it happen, but couldn’t believe it was real. He looked to the sky again, and that small plane was still overhead. They all froze…not with fear, but with wonderment. My son recalls Brooke holding up and waving his hands, which was the clear signal to stay back. They slowly retreated and made their way back to the rest of the group….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/12/crazy-person-follow-up/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 13: Rolling to Tennessee

Later this afternoon, we’ll be heading out to the pensite to crate our seven charges and then quickly tear down the travel pen so that Walter & Brooke can get on the road.

They’ll travel throughout the night, which will mean less stress for the birds.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/13/a-tennessee-challenge/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 14: Cranes Driven Safely to Carroll County, Tennessee

Just received word from Brooke that he, Walter and the cranes are at the Carroll County, TN site.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/14/hitting-the-road/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 15: The Drive Took Longer Than Estimated, Freezing Rain Tomorrow, & A Request for Help

Everyone, including our seven young Whooping Cranes, are now in Tennessee. We finally pulled in last night at 8:45 pm after 15 long hours of driving. Why so long you ask? There were four of us each driving large vehicles. The plan was to stick together in case one encountered mechanical issues.

Fueling up four vehicles takes at least 30 minutes as not all gas stations have the space required so by the time you jockey into position then fill the tank – take a quick break to empty our own on-board tanks, well, it just takes a good amount of time. Multiply that times four fill-ups and that ate up at least 2 hours.

Colleen reports the birds were fine yesterday morning as she, Walter and Brooke released them into the travel pen. She said they stepped out of the crates and immediately came over to investigate what her puppet was poking at.

The weather this morning seems ideal for a flight, however, due to a delay in getting on the road, (we had planned to be here Thursday evening) we still have to unpack our aircraft trailer and get the trikes setup again. We’ll be down for today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/15/from-carroll-county-tn/

Carroll County, TN weather forecast: http://www.weatherforyou.com/reports/index.php?pands=carroll+county,tennessee

Interim Site Needed (possibly)

The next leg of our journey takes us to Hardin County, TN. Given that this group hasn’t flown that much in awhile, we’re looking for a couple of potential interim migration stops – just in case we need them.

Where? In Carroll County, TN – between the towns of Yuma and Westport.

When? We’re not sure. There’s a small chance we can fly tomorrow morning but it depends on what time the freezing rain starts falling. At this point, the weather for the rest of the week ahead doesn’t look great, however, that could change.

What? We need a secluded field with perhaps a small depression in it, in which to setup the pen out of site. Ideally, since deer season opens next Saturday, we also need a field that will not be open to hunting.

If you are from this area, or perhaps know of someone that lives and owns property in the area of Yuma and Westport, TN would you share this message with them and have them email us at: [email protected] so that we can have a look?

Thanks!
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/15/interim-site-needed-possibly/

Keeping in mind that Operation Migration 2014 is about seven first year Whooping Cranes—who, early on, wound up as eggs in the hands of humans, eventually hatched in May, and here, in November, are still being cared for by human hands—the following lead pilot report, from a pair of those caring hands, exemplifies the undaunted determination of all hands involved in an effort which faces a myriad of potentially discouraging obstacles.

Yesterday’s Lead Pilot Report

Yesterday, after 11 years working with Operation Migration, I finally got my chance to lead a leg of the migration and lead I did! The birds performed flawlessly and cheerfully with no jockeying for position within the group and no dropping down, or back or out altogether. In fact the biggest challenge was to get the chase pilot to stay close enough to follow. I am convinced that the mere threat of Brooke flying chase assured their cooperation. It was also a sign to me that I had reached the pinnacle of OM’dom when Bev hugged me instead of Brooke as we pulled out!

The trip set a number of OM migration records:
1. Longest Whooper leg ever: over 600 (road) miles
2. Most migration stops passed by: 9
3. Lowest ever altitude leg
4. First nocturnal migration leg
5. Longest leg Brooke has ever flown chase

One of the objectives of this leg was to find better weather conditions. When I did the ground pick-up in Wisconsin it was 24 degrees F and when I dropped them off in Carroll County TN it was 18 degrees F. [See the entire report.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/15/yesterdays-lead-pilot-report/

"HOPE - that's what the Whooping Cranes have invested in us. We played the biggest role in why they are now an endangered species. It is up to us, to correct our past wrongs and help them survive – let’s get them off the endangered list! This is why I support Operation Migration."
--Lori Verhagen, Willingboro, NJ

 

[Mitchelle]

November 16: No Escaping the Onslaught of Foul Weather

One look at the radar image below and you’ll know we won’t be going anywhere today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/16/no-flight-today-3/

Today’s Chat/Video Q & A
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/55516795

 

[Mitchelle]

November 17: No Choice; Staying Put

We’re currently under a winter weather advisory here in Carroll County, TN. It’s 32 degrees and snowing and the winds are howling from the northwest at 15 mph.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/17/standing-down-today-3/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 18: Wind Too Strong

According to news reports last evening, more than 50% of the country already has snow – and it’s only the middle of November.

Luckily, we have no snow here but we do have the cold and strong winds. Although they’re from the right direction, today they’re simply too strong to attempt a flight. We’ll be on the ground in Carroll County, TN for another day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/18/still-waiting-2/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 19: Not Today, But Maybe Tomorrow

South winds today will bring some warmer temperatures to the area. Unfortunately, they’re very strong aloft at 45 knots, which will keep us grounded for another day. Tomorrow (Thursday) is shaping up quite nicely to be a fly day though!
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/19/one-more-day/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 20: When One Mile in Forty-seven Minutes is a Success

Lead Pilot Report….

…We only managed to get the birds a mile but they had 47 minutes of exercise and nobody had to be put into a box, not even me….

Read the whole story here: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/20/lead-pilot-report-nov-20-2014/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 21: The Wind Gave Them the Finger

There are four weather stations in our area and every one of them are reporting winds less than 3 mph….

…Here, at Carroll County Airport the windsock is sticking straight out – just like someone flipping us the bird. Winds are much stronger than what the nearby weather stations are reporting.

We’re standing down for the day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/21/the-whether-of-weather-3/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 22: Between Rain and Wind

Over eastern Tennessee this morning, multiple small rain cells were traversing in a northeasterly direction; while out ahead of the band of scattered showers, seven-to-nine-miles-per-hour winds were blowing up from the southeast.

Down for the Day

Winds from the south-southeast and intermittent rain showers will keep us grounded for today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/22/down-for-the-day-2/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 23: A Huge Rain Storm

A low pressure system moving in from the southeast is bringing strong winds and a large storm system our way today. We’ll be standing down.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/23/wind-rain-3/

Rumor has it that thirty-mile-an-hour-plus winds are following the rain.

 

[Mitchelle]

November 24: Active Wind Advisory

That 4-Letter Weather Word

WIND – As if the rocking of the RV isn’t convincing enough, one glance at the nearest weather station tells the story. We’re down for another day due to strong south winds.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/24/that-4-letter-weather-word/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 25: Movement!

A very quick update from my phone… Cranes 4 & 10-14 were held back this morning and all others were released to fly with Joe Duff.

Joe and the cranes are now at our Hardin Co. TN site and Joe reports he had them up to 3500ft during the flight.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/25/success/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 26: Updates for Yesterday and Today

Yesterday—On November 25th, five of the seven first-year cranes were led in flight along the migration route from Carroll County, Tennessee to Hardin County, Tennessee. What follows are excerpts from the lead pilot report of that sixty-five mile flight:

…The harvested cotton stocks are too tall and coarse for me to land so I set the trike down on the same tractor road I used the last time. The birds were again on the far side of an irrigation ditch a quarter mile to the east. I hoped they would fly over but they didn’t so I took off and did a low pass over them. We circled the field once and this time they landed on my tractor road. They even left me enough room to land so there we sat. I had to get out to turn the aircraft around by hand and I fed them a few grapes. We talked (silently) for a minute or two and tried again….

… Five birds landed with me after 1 hour and 46 minutes. That was their longest and highest flight ever.

Twenty years of flying with birds and I still have no idea what caused them to stop landing in that cotton field and follow me for 65 miles at 3500 and I probably never will.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/25/lead-pilot-report-12/

Today—On November 26th, five of the seven first-year Whooping Cranes were led in flight along the migration route from Hardin County, Tennessee to Winston County, Alabama. What follows is are excerpts from the lead pilot report of today’s sixty-seven mile flight:

…The two vans sped through the night paralleling the migration route, suffering a deeply felt ache my in stomach every time we passed a sign with a familiar migration stop on it and suffering the regret over and over of missing the opportunity to see those wonderful hosts who have, through the years, become like family. But like they say, migration is not for sissies. “Suck it up, Brooke!”….

…And so it was especially sweet this morning to sit there in the cold morning sky, looking down as the thin layer of overcast reluctantly gave up its near sighted views of the earth passing beneath, while just off my wing a line of five whooper chicks strung out in obedient following. They followed Joe for 65 miles yesterday and would follow for another 67 miles today. Like a sculpture contained in a block of marble, these migration flights were in them the whole time, just waiting for the right conditions to appear and once again impress us all with their magic, their grandeur and their amazing gifts….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/26/lead-pilot-report-13/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 27: No Flight

Winds are currently 8 mph on the surface and expected to increase to 11 mph at sunrise. Aloft they’re blowing at a healthy 30 knots from the northwest. We’ll be staying put in Winston County, Alabama for today….

…Conditions for tomorrow morning are looking very promising….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/27/standing-down-on-day-49/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 28: A Skip for 111 Miles

Today, Joe Duff and five of the seven first year Whooping Cranes flew one hundred and eleven miles from Winston County, Alabama to Chilton County, Alabama. They skipped the Walker County, Alabama stop, and 4-14 (Peanut) and 10-14 (Marsha) were once again crated.

After three almost consecutive days of flying, our five birds have this follow thing down to a science. Numbers 4 and 10 were again slipped into their crates before the aircraft arrived. If the five were at all disturbed by that activity, they certainly didn’t take it out on me or the aircraft. As soon as the gates were opened, they spread their wings, took two steps and locked onto my right wing tip….

…At a thousand feet that headwind dropped and at two thousand feet it turned around and began to push us. Not once did the birds turn back or even hesitate….

…All the birds landed with the aircraft on the first pass. They waited patiently as I parked the trike out of the wind and gathered my phone, vocalizer and the all-important grapes….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/28/lead-pilot-report-14/

On Peanut and Marsha:

Whooping cranes 4 and 10 have been crated for the last two [three] flights.

Many people have expressed their concern about numbers 4 and 10 and we assure you that we have not forgotten about them. They weigh heavily on our minds and we have considered all the options. The analogy of a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, sums up the situation if you will excuse the obvious pun.

Through no fault of their own, numbers 4 and 10 are drop out birds. Number 4’s issues started with his leg injury and number 10 learned the wrong lesson after weeks of not flying. During several failed attempts to lead them to the next stop, it became obvious that these two birds land shortly after take-off. And they lead the other birds with them….

…If our next good flying day isn’t two weeks from now, we will include one of them at a time and hope it learns by example and falls into line with the others. We also hope that the five good followers have regained a little of their lost loyalty to our aircraft and be less inclined to follow one drop out bird if the lesson doesn’t take on the first try.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/27/bird-in-the-hand/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 29: Ill Wind

Conditions on the surface are calm, currently; however, winds are expected to pick up at flight time. A look at the winds aloft graphic (below) tells the true story.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/29/down-for-the-day-3/

 

[Mitchelle]

November 30: No Flight Today

Stiff, hot wind blowing up from the south, creating headwinds, kept the cranes down today.

South Winds Continue

Strong south winds are still bringing warm air from the Gulf. Today’s temperature is expected to reach 70 F.

This also means a headwind for our cranes and pilots… we’ll be staying put in Chilton county, Alabama for today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2014/11/30/south-winds-continue/

Today’s chat video: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/56001886