(Fwd) Swan Update

Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Thu, 18 Dec 1997 19:40:39 -0500


------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From:          "Marie I. Michelson" <MMichelson@Defender.Defenders.org>
Organization:  Defenders of Wildlife 
Date:          Thu, 18 Dec 1997 16:57:08 EST
Subject:       Swan Update


                   T H E    M A I D E N    F L I G H T

          December 18, 1997
              7:30am.

               After an absence of nearly 200 years, three
               female trumpter swans, Isabelle, Yoyo and
               Sydney, took off from Auburn VA on the first
               leg of their maiden, historical migration
               journey to the Eeastern Shore of Maryland.

               The swans were accompanied by two utralight
               aircraft piloted by Gavin Shire of
               Environmental Studies at Airlie and Joe Duff
               of Operation Migration.

              8:50am.

               The three swans and the two ultralights have
               crossed the Potomac river and have landed for
               a stop. According to Gavin Shire, the flight
               has progressed so well that it was decided to
               fly over landing site No.1 at Whipoorwill
               Springs and continue on to landing site No.2
               at Buds Ferry across the river. The flight
               will resume this afternoon.

              3:11pm.

               The swans took off from landing site No.2 and
               headed towards landing site No.3. It appears
               that they will fly over landing site No.3 and
               proceed to landing site No.4, where they will
               spend the night.

               They will attempt to cross the Chessapeake
               Bay on Friday.