Start of HLM 2014
Newsletter, 26.08.2014
Dear Friends of the LIFE+ Northern Bald Ibis project,
on August 25, we were finally able to start the human migration 2014 after a long, weather-related delay. The conditions on that day were not ideal. The weather forecast predicted south wind for the Alpine region. However, the passable conditions were limited to one day, so we had a go.
The flight was very difficult. The permanent headwind reduced the speed to 30 to 35 km/h. At the pass summits, especially Hohe Tauern and Katschbergpas, we also had to fight strong turbulences and downwashes. The 180 km trip from Grödig near Salzburg to the airfield Noetsch in the valley Gailtal took us more than 5 hours, interrupted by a short stopover at the airfield Mauterndorf to refuel the aircraft.
During the flight, a helicopter with remote-mounted camera followed the flight formation and accompanied us all the way. The helicopter will continue to accompany us in order to produce some footage for several TV productions in German and Italian speaking countries.
In addition, a team of 12 people with 6 vehicles follow us on the ground, partly to escort the flight formation and partly to dismantle the camp after start up and to transport it to the new destination.
Our first flight ended at the airfield Noetsch. There, we currently pitched our camp, and the conditions are very good. The management of the airport provides us with sanitary, electricity, water and even a lounge.
Our original plan to cross also the Karawanken mountain range on the first day was not feasible because of the headwind, which significantly prolonged the duration of our flight. After landing at the airfield Noetsch at about 05:00 pm, the birds already showed clear signs of exhaustion. However, this morning both the birds and the team are fit again and ready for the next flight, which is scheduled for next Thursday, August 28.
On our cloudy and windy way towards the wintering area...
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