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<blockquote data-quote="BackdoorArts" data-source="post: 240926" data-attributes="member: 9240">Florida is a vast array of (way too) flat, wet open spaces, which are great refuges for many birds.&nbsp; Given that people aren't too fond of living in flight paths it has been common practice to set up wildlife preserves around airports.&nbsp; So it's not so much that you put an airport in the middle of one as it is designating preserved spaces around one (in truth, they were preserved before the airport, it's just they didn't have the traffic).&nbsp; I'm guessing Mike's airport is of the smaller, private variety and not one hosting large commercial jets, particularly given that this project would choose to bring the birds there.For those unfamiliar with the project, <a href="http://www.operationmigration.org/" target="_blank">Operation Whooping Crane</a> is a project that seeks to save the nearly extinct species of bird in this country.&nbsp; Each year a group of men lead a migration of birds using ultralight aircraft, from their summer home in the northern states to their winter home in FL, making stops along the way and keeping track of all the birds.&nbsp; It's quite fascinating as the men dress as birds when they are around them to help.&nbsp; Quite fascinating.&nbsp; When they fly they broadcast live, so you can watch the birds fly with them.&nbsp; Link is on the site.Unfortunately, Mike, it looks like they're grounded today due to winds.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="BackdoorArts, post: 240926, member: 9240"] Florida is a vast array of (way too) flat, wet open spaces, which are great refuges for many birds. Given that people aren't too fond of living in flight paths it has been common practice to set up wildlife preserves around airports. So it's not so much that you put an airport in the middle of one as it is designating preserved spaces around one (in truth, they were preserved before the airport, it's just they didn't have the traffic). I'm guessing Mike's airport is of the smaller, private variety and not one hosting large commercial jets, particularly given that this project would choose to bring the birds there. For those unfamiliar with the project, [URL="http://www.operationmigration.org/"]Operation Whooping Crane[/URL] is a project that seeks to save the nearly extinct species of bird in this country. Each year a group of men lead a migration of birds using ultralight aircraft, from their summer home in the northern states to their winter home in FL, making stops along the way and keeping track of all the birds. It's quite fascinating as the men dress as birds when they are around them to help. Quite fascinating. When they fly they broadcast live, so you can watch the birds fly with them. Link is on the site. Unfortunately, Mike, it looks like they're grounded today due to winds. [/QUOTE]

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