Four of the five Operation Migration whooping cranes that flew over the Dunnellon, FL Airport this morning on their way to the Chassahowitzka Reserve. The cranes (and pilots) began their journey from Wisconsin in October.
Four of the five Operation Migration whooping cranes that flew over the Dunnellon, FL Airport this morning on their way to the Chassahowitzka Reserve. The cranes (and pilots) began their journey from Wisconsin in October.
Awesome, Maureen! I bet whoever is in the plane is having a blast!
nice! are they assisting the cranes with migration? why is that necessary?
Morkel - The ultralight guided migration is part of a reintroduction plan for the endangered whooping cranes. Their goal is to establish a sustainable second migratory group of birds. Currently there is only one migratory group in existence and its numbers had begun to diminish to the point where there was concern that the species would be in danger of extinction. The young whoopers that make the ultralight led migration each year are hatched at Necedah NWR in Wisconsin and recognize the ultralight pilots as adult birds (They wear really funny looking crane costumes.) The birds are not exposed to humans and naturally respond to what they believe are older birds - that's the theory anyhow. When it comes time to migrate, the birds follow the planes (pilots) to Florida, learning the route. When the birds arrive in FL, they are split into two groups, one going to St Marks in northern Florida and the other led to Chassahowitzka in west central FL. Once in FL, they are gradually released to the wild. I believe this is the tenth year the cranes have been led on the migratory route.
The birds do not always do as they're are supposed to and the results can be both funny and tragic. More info is available on the Operation Migration website at www.operationmigration.org
Maureen, this is a great shot and super story. Thank you for sharing!
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Hi Maureen,
I love your post and found the photograph to be very touching. I almost got choked up watching those wonderful, goofy birds following the ultralight aircraft to their destiny. Thanks.
DB