Flight with Birds, "Father Goose"

William (Bill) Lishman, Canadian inventor, artist, naturalist and ultralight aircraft enthusiast.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lishman openly wondered if waterfowl could be taught new migration patterns by following low-speed ultralight aircraft. In 1993, after several years of logistical and bureaucratic setbacks, Lishman successfully led a flock of Canada geese on a winter migration from Ontario, Canada to Northern Virginia. Of the sixteen birds that participated in the migration, thirteen returned to Ontario the following year - entirely on their own.

Eventually the principles learned by working with common birds was applied to endangered species such as whooping cranes and trumpeter swans.

http://www.williamlishman.com/

Since their first successful migration Bill Lishman and Joe Duff, -photographer and avid ultralight pilot from Toronto - worked closely with Canadian and American governments to continue their migration experiments. Granted Charitable status, and assisted by many unpaid volunteers, Operation Migration has continued it's research with ultralight led migrations and the re-introduction of endangered species.

In 1999 Operation Migration, led by Joe Duff, was asked by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to spearhead an attempt to reintroduce whooping cranes into eastern North America. As of 2005, the team continues to lead a new generation of whooping cranes on their first migration with the goal of establishing a self sustaining flock by the year 2015.

For updates on current projects please visit, Operation Migration:

http://www.operationmigration.org/

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Animals
• Nature
• Operation
• Migration
• Canada
• geese
• Whooping
• Cranes
• Trumpeter-Swans
• William
• Lishman
• Flight

[fiftyfiveandsomemore]

In the UK the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ) and their other human friends consider that microlights are a threat to birds. Don't look like that here!!!

[swedanica]

Among a host of other threats, like habitats, wind turbines, pollution & cat's. I don't know how many ultralights are rooming the British skies but, when it comes to todays 'Operation Migration' they only use a couple ultralights to guide a flock of 14-17 whooping cranes.

[happinesson]

impossible dreams do come true!

[fordlukebo]

on 12 seconds, what is that ultralight called?

[swedanica]

IEDvictory; I didn't block you from commenting, I deleted it. Stay focused on the subject and your comment will remain intact.

[DARAHMAN666]

Your talking crap,they are a serious threat to birds..

[Totalwarlord666]

They are a serious threat to birds....

[fiftyfiveandsomemore]

And fly back along the same route and have not disturbed nor hit an on coming bird ever. Birds spot aircraft that fly below speeds of 100mph and avoid them. CatsId like to see a cat take on one of these, they like songbirds! Turbines-recent research from Newcastle University proves that claims stating turbines are a problem to birds are considerably over exaggerated. Motor traffic, guns, raptors and other wildlife kill more birds than any other sources. Bird watchers also disturb birds.

[xian19sarah]

This film I have enjoyed so many times in my life!! Lovely to know there are people out there who love animals so much they would go to these lengths to save them.

[FoIIowMe]

I saw "Fly Away Home," and am a HUGE supporter of "Operation Migration," and it's parent program, "C'mon Geese." Thanks for sharing this!