The final stage
Newsletter 26/08/2018
Only one flight stage separates the team of this year’s human-led migration from the wintering area Laguna di Orbetello.
On Thursday, August 23, the Northern Bald Ibises and the two microlights flew over a distance of 224 km from Thiene to their destination in Borgo San Lorenzo near Florence. In the last year, this stage has been flown in two consecutive flight stages due to bad weather forecasts in the Apennine region. However, as the Northern Bald Ibises are so incredibly well-trained this year and reliably follow the microlights, the formation was able to cover the distance within 4:25 hours in one flight. The journey was no problem for the birds, but the two microlights had to stop near Imola for refuelling before flying on. Due to the excellent thermal conditions that brought the formation to an altitude of 1,200 m, the flight above the Apennines was an easy task.
After landing in Borgo San Lorenzo, the Northern Bald Ibises and their foster parents Corinna Esterer and Anne-Gabriela Schmalstieg had to wait on the airfield for the announced thunderstorm to pass before they were able to move into the aviary.
After a break of several days in Borgo San Lorenzo, which was also necessary due to the weather conditions, the journey will continue this Monday, August 27. This last flight will be quite challenging because of the northern winds forcasted for the region. However, as the birds are following their foster parents reliably, they’ll presumably arrive in Orbetello around midday.
Picture (Anne-Gabriela Schmalstieg): The formation during the flight to Borgo San Lorenzo.
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