------- 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.