Project Ultraswan (Hardcover)
Out of Print
Description
It has been nearly 200 years since hunters killed the last of the trumpeter swans living in the eastern part of North America. Now that the birds are protected by law, scientists hope to restore them to their former range. But unlike birds who have their migration maps built in, trumpeters must learn the routes from their parents. So scientists in the Trumpeter Swan Migration Project are taking on the role of parent swans, teaching cygnets to follow ultralight aircraft in an effort to reintroduce a migrating population to the Atlantic coast.
This fascinating fieldwork includes transportation of ten-day-old cygnets from Alaska to the training site in New York State, the design of a special uniform to prevent the baby swans from recognizing their caretakers as human, and the process of training the birds to follow the ultralight—including the heartbreak of setbacks and the exhilaration of successes.
About the Author
Elinor Osborn learned of the Trumpeter Swan Migration Project when the biologist/pilot for the project presented a slide show at a local bird club meeting. The work sounded so exciting, she rolled out of bed at 4:30 a.m. a few days later to see the swans-in-training for herself. A professional photographer and writer, Elinor Osborn lives in Penfield, New York.
Praise for Project Ultraswan…
“Another fine addition to the exceptional Scientists in the Field series.” Booklist, ALA
“This book broadens the scope of the Scientists in the Field series, illustrating that science in not always done by people with lots of degrees.” Horn Book
“…Osborn writes with a lively informality.” The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
