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News: Whooping Cranes Near
December 11th, 2005

News: April Arts Show Rich in Awards
December 9th, 2005

News: Rock the Boat Art Show
December 9th, 2005

News: Conservation Zone Debate Putover til Jan. 17
December 7th, 2005

News: Who Wants to Do Raku?
December 6th, 2005

News: Whooping Crane Update
December 2nd, 2005

News: LPA Acts on Docks andParking
November 30th, 2005

News: Conservation Zone Debate -- Again
November 16th, 2005

News: Dock Fire at Natures Landing
November 15th, 2005

News: Red Tide Closes Shellfish Harvest
November 4th, 2005

News: Commission Does Housekeeping
November 2nd, 2005

News: Class of 1965 Holds Reunion
November 1st, 2005

News: Buckeye Technologies Defends Waste Water Pipeline
October 28th, 2005

News: Kids Bumped from Golf Carts
October 19th, 2005

News: Net Ban Revisited
October 14th, 2005

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Whooping Crane Update

Whooping Crane Update

Editor


Nineteen whooping crane "chicks" are enroute to Florida from Wisconsin. At last report, they were near the Tennessee-Georgia border, being led by ultralight pilots.

The young whooping cranes are a crucial part of a joint program of volunteers and government agencies devoted to one of the most endangered species of wildlife. Each year about twenty whooping cranes are hatched in captivity and trained to follow an ultralight airplane. In early October, the cranes are led on what will become their migration route to the Florida refuge where they spend the winter prior to joining the trainees from the past five years for annual unassisted future migrations.

With clear weather and favorable tail winds, the young birds are expected to pass over Crystal River in early December. Operation Migration, the umbrella group for the whooping crane recovery program will announce the date and location of the last leg of the migration. Crane enthusiasts and birders in general gather each year to watch the "flyover" in Crystal River. You may follow the daily progress of the flock on www.operationmigration.org or check www.cedarkeynews.com for updates as the birds approach Florida.

The birds did not fly Friday, December 2, due to windy conditions. At this point, look for a flyover of Crystal River about December 10.

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