Post by Woody Williams on Nov 11, 2005 14:16:48 GMT -5
Hoosier whooper watcher happening
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Muscatatuck NWR offers chance to see ultrarare birds following ultralight aircraft through Indiana
The 2005 whooping crane flight has reached Muscatatuck National Wildlife
Refuge in southeastern Indiana. The refuge offers Hoosiers their best chance
to see a flock of rare whooping cranes passing through the state on their
way to Florida.
When weather permits, 19 young whoopers will fly from the refuge and follow
ultralight aircraft teaching the cranes the migration route from Wisconsin
to Florida.
"The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge enables us to offer Operation
Migration and whooping crane supporters a viewing opportunity of takeoff,"
said Operation Migration Communications Director Liz Condie.
"Please keep in mind our daily flights are weather permitting. Unsuitable
weather can delay our flights by a day, or even days, depending on flying
conditions."
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is near Seymour, Ind. The main gate of
the refuge is east of Interstate Route 65 on U.S. Route 50.
Whooper watchers should arrive by 7:15 a.m. Visitors should drive about 4
miles down the main road until they see staff members parking cars.
Check the local weather report before heading for the refuge. Look for a
calm sky. A very light wind from the north is okay. Dress warmly and bring
binoculars.
Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America, standing 5 feet tall
with a 7- to 8-foot wingspan.
Researchers are working to restore flocks of whooping cranes that will spend
summers near Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin and
migrate to Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. This is the
fifth year researchers have uses ultralight aircraft to teach young birds
the route south.
Experienced birds from past flights are also beginning to fly south on their
own.
DNR photo of 2004 whooping crane flight over Indiana:
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/cranes.htm
Track the progress of about 40 migrating whooping cranes from past classes,
check the progress of this year's adventure, and get updates on Muscatatuck
NWR take-off flyover at:
www.bringbackthecranes.org/
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge:
812-522-4352.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Muscatatuck NWR offers chance to see ultrarare birds following ultralight aircraft through Indiana
The 2005 whooping crane flight has reached Muscatatuck National Wildlife
Refuge in southeastern Indiana. The refuge offers Hoosiers their best chance
to see a flock of rare whooping cranes passing through the state on their
way to Florida.
When weather permits, 19 young whoopers will fly from the refuge and follow
ultralight aircraft teaching the cranes the migration route from Wisconsin
to Florida.
"The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge enables us to offer Operation
Migration and whooping crane supporters a viewing opportunity of takeoff,"
said Operation Migration Communications Director Liz Condie.
"Please keep in mind our daily flights are weather permitting. Unsuitable
weather can delay our flights by a day, or even days, depending on flying
conditions."
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is near Seymour, Ind. The main gate of
the refuge is east of Interstate Route 65 on U.S. Route 50.
Whooper watchers should arrive by 7:15 a.m. Visitors should drive about 4
miles down the main road until they see staff members parking cars.
Check the local weather report before heading for the refuge. Look for a
calm sky. A very light wind from the north is okay. Dress warmly and bring
binoculars.
Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America, standing 5 feet tall
with a 7- to 8-foot wingspan.
Researchers are working to restore flocks of whooping cranes that will spend
summers near Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin and
migrate to Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. This is the
fifth year researchers have uses ultralight aircraft to teach young birds
the route south.
Experienced birds from past flights are also beginning to fly south on their
own.
DNR photo of 2004 whooping crane flight over Indiana:
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/cranes.htm
Track the progress of about 40 migrating whooping cranes from past classes,
check the progress of this year's adventure, and get updates on Muscatatuck
NWR take-off flyover at:
www.bringbackthecranes.org/
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge:
812-522-4352.