I like to check in on #309 every so often. Linda McElvany

www.operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html

Date: January 28th, 2006

Reporter: Liz Condie

"The birds have been roosting on the oyster bar each night without having to be led back into the pen. 309 is still with them, but it appears she is thrilled to have some friends again and doesn't present any problem or threat to the younger birds.

You will recall that 309 is the 'wanderlust' bird that had to be picked up and relocated. On December 15th, Sara Zimorski and Richard van Heuvelen traveled from Florida to North Carolina in search of her. Once they tracked her down, she was crated and flown to northern Florida December 16th where she was released. Mark (Chenoweth) expressed some apprehension in that if she continues to hang out with the new youngsters, she might lead them astray on the upcoming spring migration. But he also felt that because she is quite submissive, and seems so happy just to have other birds around her, that this may not be a real concern.

When the team went to check the pensite on Monday the 23rd, the birds were all fired up about something. They were running around after each other and screaming like crazy. While 309 didn't lead the screaming, she happily followed suit. Mark said it was funny to hear all the croaky chicks and then 309's perfect adult voice chiming in."