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Bad weather delays cranes another day
By Times staff writer CHASSAHOWITZKA -- Facing some of the worst flying conditions in their protracted journey, the ultralight pilots leading a flock of whooping cranes to Citrus County decided to stay on the ground Saturday. "The clouds were right in the treetops. We had a slight southerly wind and the temperatures were 65 degrees," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Chuck Underwood said from Gilchrist County. "That's way too warm and the visibility was basically zero." He said the weather looks more promising today and the pilots hope to fly 55 miles to Levy County. If they make that jump, they still might be able to arrive in Citrus on Monday morning. Saturday's standby marked the 19th time the crew has been grounded since leaving Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin on Oct. 17. About 80 miles remain in the historic trip, aimed at establishing a second migratory flock of endangered whoopers in North America. The cranes are being led to their winter home, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. In the spring it is expected they will return north, as did a flock of sandhill cranes used to test the unusual migration technique last year. For the latest updates, visit www.bringbackthecranes.org or call the Whoop It Up hotline at (352) 564-0326.
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