Comparing Migrations Led by Ultralight Planes 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Fall 2005 Target date for departure Oct 10 and then Oct. 14 Actual date for departure Oct. 14 Number of birds at takeoff 20 Number of birds surviving fall migration 19 Date migration ends Dec. 13 Total days of fall migration 61 Number of actual flight days (progress made) 22 Number of no-fly days (grounded or turned back) 39 Longest flight (distance) 116.3 miles Total miles flown 1,183.4 Days on Wintering Grounds 106 days  Number of birds before spring migration 18 Number of birds surviving spring migration 17 NOTES from the day-by-day stories: They were grounded 8 days by un-flyable weather in Morgan County Indiana. This was the longest stay in one location since ultralight-led migrations began in 2001. Crane #516 was injured on Day 5 during flight. He didn't fly again until Day 20, November 2. This was also the first day that ALL 20 birds flew the distance for the first time on this migration. The death of the youngest chick was a sad loss. Chick #526 was dead in the travel pen on November 10. He had not missed a single leg (flight) of the migration. Thanks to great tailwinds, they were able to skip a stop and head to the next one on Day 39. Twelve birds didn't make the flight on Day 58. Even though it's safter to fly the birds, all 12 were finally boxed and driven. For the first time, the young cranes landed at a holding site (Halpata Preserve). HEAR A LIVE PODCAST OF THE ARRIVAL FLYOVER AND WELCOME! They were moved to the main wintering site (Chassahowitzka NWR) on January 11 nd 12 after all the older whooping cranes cleared the site.