Welcome! September, 2004 Whooping Cranes and Ultralights: Preparing for Takeoff Year Four! Journey South with Endangered Whooping Cranes BEFORE Migration: Downloadable Booklets for Kids (NEW) WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Egg to Sky--Timeline for History-in-the-Making DURING Migration: Highlights Posted Daily on the Web FRIDAYS: E-mail Summaries Mapping the Migration Archives: Fall Lessons and Activities Training Flight August 19 Photo Heather Ray, WCEP Year Four! Journey South with Endangered Whooping Cranes Led by Ultralight Welcome! Year FOUR of a historic migration experiment has been underway for this year’s chicks in “Flight School” at Wisconsin’s Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Summering there are 35 gleaming white yearling whoopers from the previous three ultralight-led migrations. In addition, 15 mottled young chicks are preparing to make their first dangerous migration south--led by ultralight airplane "parents" to show them the way. The 350-pound aircraft is both flight instructor and stand-in parent in a landmark conservation experiment to save endangered Whooping cranes by starting a new flock where they vanished over a century ago. We'll give you a front-row seat for a fourth journey south. With photos, Highlight reports, video and audio clips from the project team, we'll follow the birds following those planes--all the way to their new winter home. Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership. To learn more about this historic study, see: About the Whooping Crane Reintroduction Project Bringing Back the Cranes (Photo Overview) BEFORE Migration: Downloadable Booklets for Kids (NEW!) Because this story really began during the summer, now's the time to catch up on the chicks' progress. Our NEW, just-for-kids nonfiction booklets make it quick, easy, and fun while building reading skills and supporting standards. Between now and the migration departure in October, a series of weekly downloadable nonfiction booklets will cover the “Big Ideas” of the young cranes' development and training. New titles will be added to the series here as the pre-migration weeks unfold: Whooping Crane Reintroduction and Migration Highlights Where Are They Now? Egg to Sky--Timeline for History-in-the-Making Photo WCEP We have been keeping track of the 15 newest chicks since they hatched last spring. This timeline of key events will help you follow along. Start a school or classroom timeline now, and add to it when the daily migration reports start. Timeline Key Events for Chicks of Hatch Year 2004 See Lesson: From Egg to Sky: Timeline of History in the Making DURING Migration: Migration Highlights to be Posted Daily Getting Ready to Fly! Photo OM WCEP In early October, this year’s 15 chicks will take to the skies, led by ultralight airplanes. Daily Web postings will provide the latest news, maps, and photos. Come fly with the whoopers as we explore questions like these in the weeks ahead: • With three migrations now accomplished, how are things different this year? • How far will they fly each day? • What happens when they stop for the night? • Will all the young cranes survive the journey’s risks? Friday E-mail Summaries "Babies" #419 & #420 take first flight August 19, 2004 Photo OM WCEP Pre-migration: Each Friday, a brief e-mail notice announces the week’s newest downloadable booklet, written for kids. During migration: When migration begins, the Friday e-mails wil summarize Highlights that were posted on the Web during the week. Watch for E-mail Summaries on FRIDAYS: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26. . .or until this year's newest Eastern Whooping crane chicks reach Florida! Mapping the Migration Fall Migration Route Track the migration from Wisconsin all the way to Florida using information included in our Highlights. Purchase a map or make your own: Fly With the Cranes: Purchase a Migration Tracking Map Map Maker, Map Maker: Make Your Own Map Archives: Fall Lessons and Activities Are you wondering what makes a chick think a little airplane is its mom? Why are scientists concerned about pecking order? How does the ultralight help the cranes in flight? Companions to the downloadable booklets, lessons help answer these questions in greater depth. Lessons build on concepts about habitat, imprinting, social order, flight, biology and more. You'll find links to lessons, activities, and information here: Archive: Fall Whooping Crane Lessons and Activities     Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2008 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.