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What Makes a Good Stopover Site for an Ultralight-led Migration? Photo 2006 Operation Migration Operation Migration leader and pilot Joe Duff says, "By far the most difficult part of this study is managing the experiences of the birds. It was difficult enough at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge when the pens were miles away from any human influence and the entire area was closed. But on migration our problems multiply. We need landing sites about every 50 miles. If we have head winds, landing sites are required at 30-mile intervals." "Our shopping list for a stopover site is short but demanding. If we could custom build them, stopover sites would be: at least a mile from the sound of traffic. out of sight of buildings or any other human equipage. in open country with an upland feeding area and a lowland roosting spot, all beside a grass runway as smooth as a bowling green, and… with a hangar just over the hill. "Some biologists have questioned why we are not satisfied with areas that are frequented by wild sandhill cranes. But wild cranes have advantages that our birds do not. The birds we raised are neither tame nor wild. Like any creature, they have a natural fear of the unknown, but the rest is a learned response and our ability to teach them is severely limited." Try This! Journaling Questions In the first three ultralight-led migrations, the pilots used the same stopover sites. They changed the location of the Cumberland County, TN stopover site in 2004. Why do you think they did this? After you think about it, click here for more. How do you think the flight team found good stopover sites? What do you think could happen if wild sandhill cranes were at the landing sites used on the young whoopers' very first journey south—when the pilots, like parents, are showing them where to go? Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).     Copyright 1997-2013 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.   Contact Us    Search