Operation Migration 2015 (1 Viewer)

[Mitchelle]

11/25/2015—Stiff Winds Out of the South

We’ll be grounded today by strong southerly winds aloft.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/25/day-57-south-winds/

 

[Mitchelle]

11/26/2015—Winds from the South and Thanks from the Heart

Winds this morning are from the south and unfortunately, too strong to attempt a flight today. Instead, the team will spend Thanksgiving here in Union County, Kentucky.

Today, we give thanks to you – our supporters, our volunteers, and our migration stopover hosts for the unwavering support and encouragement you have provided to OM over the years.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/26/day-58-standing-down-and-thankful/

2980 of 3000
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

For the sake of birds all over the world, thank you, Bird Forum staff and members,
Mitchelle’

 

[Mitchelle]

11/27/2015—Hearty Winds Blowing Up from the South

Standing Down

With strong south winds moving through Kentucky today, we’ll be staying where we are.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/27/day-59-standing-down/

…and they are likely to be standing down for a while, due to a storm that currently stretches from Maine to Mexico. The storm has rain in the front and ice and snow on the back side. The one possible good thing: winds behind the storming are blowing down from the north.

2983 of 3000
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

 

[Mitchelle]

11/28/2015—Rain, Rain, Rain

Rain

It began raining here yesterday morning at 10 am and it has continued since. It’s expected to keep raining till sometime tomorrow.

Staying put in Union County, Kentucky until it lets up.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/28/day-60-rain/

2989 of 3000
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

 

[Mitchelle]

11/29/2015—Wind a Little too Pushy and Rain in the Area

No Go

While the winds this morning are from a favorable direction, they’re just a tad too strong to attempt a flight….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/29/day-61-no-go/

Stuck on 2989
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

 

[Mitchelle]

11/30/2015—Wind, Low Cloud Ceiling, Rain, and Fog

On the surface, winds are stronger than what the weather sites are reporting – in fact, they’re gusting at 13 mph. On top of that there is a very low cloud ceiling and rain to the north and south of us, in addition to pockets of fog in the area.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/30/day-62/

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]

12-01-2015—Wind

Winds this morning are from the west and just too strong to attempt a flight to Marshall County, KY.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/01/day-63-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]

12/02/2015—Wind

While the 5-day rain system has finally moved out, we still have southwest winds on the surface and aloft.

We’ll be here another day….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/02/day-64-wind/

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]

12/03/2015—Unofficial Report

As of 10:59 eastern, men and cranes have landed in Carroll County, TN, which appears to indicate a skip of the Marshall County, KY stopover.

 

[Mitchelle]

12/03/2015—116 Miles in 2 Hours, 22 Minutes

Skippety-doo-da!

After 64 days of constant southerly winds, rain, and fog we were finally rewarded with light north winds and cold temperatures.

The young cranes rewarded us with a DOUBLE migration leg! In total they flew for 2 hours and 22 minutes and covered 116 miles from Union County, Kentucky to Carroll County, Tennessee.

Brooke was able to get them up to 4,000 feet where they benefited from a nice tailwind….
[See pics.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/03/day-65-skippety-doo-da/

With Brooke as lead pilot, I anxiously await his report.

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]

12/04/2015—No Fly Day

Down

Winds aloft proved to be just a tad too strong so we’re down for the day. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/04/day-65-down/

We didn’t get a Lead Pilot Report for yesterday’s flight from Brooke, but after flying 116 miles and reaching an altitude of 4000 feet in an ultralight, I think he’s already done more than enough.

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]

12/05/2015—Crosswinds

Winds on the surface are manageable; however, aloft they’re from the east-southeast at 20-25 knots. This would create a crosswind and slow flight progress…. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/05/day-67-strong-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.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

 

[Mitchelle]

12/06/2015—23 Mile an Hour Winds

Strong Winds Aloft

We’ll be here in Carroll County, TN for at least today as winds aloft are blowing at a very healthy 20 knots from the southwest…. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/06/day-68-strong-winds-aloft/

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]

12/07/2015—Success

Cranes and pilots safely on the ground in Hardin county, TN!
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/07/day-69-quick-update/

 

[Mitchelle]

12/07/2015—Better Late Than Never

As stated in the previous post, the cranes and pilots somehow made the sixty-five mile distance from Carroll County, Tennessee to Hardin County, Tennessee. There has been no other official word.

As you might recall, however, Brook Pennypacker never submitted a Lead Pilot Report from his 12/03/2015 skip from Union County, Kentucky—past Marshall County, Kentucky—to Carroll County, Tennessee. Well, it was posted today.

Better Late Than Never
by Brooke Pennypacker

…One cannot read these reports or updates without learning the simple truth that this bird project is first and foremost a people project. It is the human element that enables, executes and propels it. Without the efforts and the overwhelming kindness and generosity of so many wonderful people, this whole project would be nothing more than just another somebody’s grand idea…..

…Walmart is not a place for tears. This morning it was….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/07/day-65-lead-pilot-report/

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]

12/08/2015—Unofficially, there was No Flight Today

Operation Migration issued no official report of a down day today; however, from my morning glances into the chat room, I got a sense that the “test trike” didn’t like what it saw.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/08/day-70-test-trike/

Another sign that there was no flight today manifests itself in the fact that Joe Duff’s Lead Pilot Report from yesterday appears to have been written today, and it was published well before noon.

As a final note before getting to that Lead Pilot report, yester morn’s chat room appeared quite miffed as to why it was taking so long to get a landing confirmation. Now we know why, and you’ll know and see why too, if you activate the link after the following excerpt.

…When I launched with the birds yesterday morning, I could not see them. The only place to land in that harvested cotton field is on a tractor road three hundred feet from the pen. It’s over a slight ridge but as soon as the birds are 10 feet up, they could see me and hear the vocalizer. I took off and they fell into place — but not for long. One bird kept turning them back every time we headed on course….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/08/day-69-lead-pilot-report/

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]

12/09/2015—No Flight. Wind

With surface winds blowing from the south at 8 mph, we’ll be staying put in Hardin County, TN for the day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/09/day-71-down/

Now, for the good news.

All cranes in the Class of 2014 have returned to Florida!

This morning I received a PTT hit on female sub-adult Whooping crane 10-14*, which placed her at the St. Marks NWR winter release pen!

Because the hits we had been getting for her were from the same locations that hits for 3-14* were reporting, we knew these two were traveling together and hoped they were still with two males: 4-12 and 4-14 (Peanut), as they had spent several weeks together at White River Marsh during the summer/fall.

I messaged refuge manager Terry Peacock – who alerted their tracker – who just confirmed us that all four were indeed present at the St. Marks winter site! [Read more.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/09/newsflash/

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]

12/10/2015—Fog Below, Winds from the South Above

In addition to the southerly winds, we have dense, thick, pea soup fog this morning.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/10/day-72-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.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993

 

[Mitchelle]

12/11/2015—Nine-Mile-An-Hour Winds from the South

It’s currently 63 degrees – indicative of the southerly winds that continue. This morning surface winds are 9 mph and too strong to allow us to attempt a flight to Alabama. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/11/day-73-warm-and-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]

12/12/2015—Stiff Winds Out of the South

It’s 6 am CT and it’s already 63 degrees F. The south winds continue – setting record warm temperatures over the area and keeping us grounded until they let up.

On the surface winds are 10 knots and aloft, much stronger at 30-40 knots. http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/12/12/day-74-south-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