Cranes regroup, reach rest stop

The flock had been separated by bad weather. They're expected over Marion County today.

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 25, 2008

All 17 whooping cranes heading this way from Wisconsin made it as far as their regular stopover site in Gilchrist County on Thursday, a day after bad weather scattered the flock of rare birds for miles.

Weather permitting, officials with Operation Migration hope to bring the cranes over the Dunnellon/Marion County Airport today before securing the cranes at their stopover site at the nearby Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

Organizers plan a low flyover at the airport so the public can see North America's biggest birds, which can grow to 5 feet tall, learning a migration route behind an ultralight aircraft piloted by a human in a bird suit.

The final destination is the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, which spans the Hernando-Citrus border. The location of the birds within the sprawling refuge is kept secret for the birds' protection; the flyover in Dunnellon is the best chance to see them before they hunker down for the winter.

Anyone wishing to see the cranes should be at the airport, at 15070 SW 111th St., Dunnellon, by 8:30 a.m. Breakfast will also be available for those who arrive early. Those planning to be there should bring binoculars, cameras and chairs.

Organizers warn that the decision to fly is made just minutes before the ultralight takes off, and viewers may be disappointed if the trip is scrubbed.

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Follow along: For more information about the cranes' flight, visit www.operationmigration.org/field_journal.html.

[Last modified January 24, 2008, 23:41:36]