Warrenton, VA - December 27, 2001 - Science could gain new understanding of bird migration thanks to ten Canada Geese that took a recent taxi ride beneath a gas balloon. The geese, resident birds, hatched this summer, that have never migrated beyond farm ponds and fields, found themselves suspended in two cages below a helium balloon, viewing Virginia countryside from aloft and drifting with December breezes southeast from a starting point near Sperryville, Virginia. Eight hours later, triggers were released to open the doors to their cages. The birds burst into the air, and flew to a privately owned sanctuary pond below, about 70 miles southeast of their starting point.

This unique journey was part of an ongoing experiment by two non-profit groups, Environmental Studies at Airlie and the Sky Calypso Society, both based near Warrenton, Virginia. Sky Calypso is involved in innovative airship technology and conservation. The purpose of the experiment is to ascertain whether these large waterfowl (unlike warblers and finches that migrate by instinct) can learn migration routes simply by picking up visual, or other cues, as they drift above the countryside. The experiment, dubbed "Ballooning with Branta Canadensis" (or BBC), explores a new technique:  "passive migration".

Plans for the experiment have been the work of Dr. William Sladen, Director of Environmental Studies at Airlie, who was also a key instigator of Operation Migration with Bill Lishman. Their previous work aimed at teaching geese to migrate behind ultralight aircraft, a venture that eventually led to the Hollywood movie, "Fly Away Home". More recently, the ultralight aircraft technique is being used by Sladen's team in an effort to teach Trumpeter Swans traditional migration routes in the eastern United States, and by other groups with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to show migration routes to the endangered Whooping Cranes. 
     
On December 22, the large helium balloon, handled by two national champion balloonists, Peter Cuneo and Barbara Fricke, of Albuquerque, NM, ascended by dawn's light from the frozen ground of a polo field near Sperryville, Virginia. Crowds watched as it rose and lifted two cages, each holding five unperturbed if puzzled geese. As the balloon drifted southeastward into the sunrise, a second balloon tracked it closely for approximately two hours until they were out of photographic range. The second one, a hot air balloon supplied and piloted by Reed Basely of Island Balloons, ferried photographers from ABC's 20/20 TV program and a cameraman from the National Geographic Society, both sponsors of the project.

The day passed smoothly with the balloon maintaining average speeds of 8-10 miles per hour at altitudes of 3000-4000 feet. Chase vehicles tracked the journey from below as the balloon drifted south and southeast for the next eight hours.  In addition to the two pilots, passengers in the balloon basket included Sky Calypso president Harry "Skip" Darlington IV, and Environmental Studies ultralight pilot, Brooke Pennypacker, in charge of the many details of preparing the geese for the experiment and helping ensure their welfare and safety. As the birds peered out from their specially designed cages, they surveyed the passing countryside. Monitored closely, each detail of their reactions and behaviors were noted.

"We weren't sure how they would react to such a unusual experience" reports Pennypacker, "but they were calm and mostly alert the whole time. Occasionally I jiggled the cage if I felt they were not paying enough attention!" 

This year's experiment to test if geese could be flown safely below a gas balloon was planned for daylight only so that the birds could be easily monitored, especially during their release. The team had hoped for a migration of at least 150 miles into SE Virginia, but the winds did not permit this. Though the balloon made a varied route, mainly south, southeast or east of approximately 85-95 miles, the distance as the crow flies was about 70 miles from start to finish.

Team members view this first phase of the experiment as a success. "We had hoped for a longer migration, so are disappointed that there was not enough wind to carry the balloon farther south," said Darlington. "However, we are delighted that the geese behaved so well, had a good journey, flew out of their cages and safely landed in an ideal pond with other wild geese, owned by conservation-minded people who are glad to have our geese as guests."

The second phase of the experiment, to occur within the next few days, will be to transport ten "control" geese of the same age, in a closed vehicle from Airlie, Virginia, to another location about 30 miles east of the Balloon Geese.

"Our experiment will be a success if in spring the Balloon Geese return to their home near Airlie, Warrenton, VA and the Truck Geese controls stay put where they were transported",  said Sladen. "If both stay put it will indicate to us that the birds really have to make an effort to learn a migration route".

The team plans another experiment next fall, the gas balloon carrying more geese during day and night over a longer distance. The ultimate goal is to use an airship that, like an ultralight aircraft, can cover a pre-selected migration route instead of drifting with the wind.

"The advantage of a gas balloon or airship" says Darlington "is that we can better mimic a true migration in which birds travel day and night. An ultralight aircraft can only fly in daylight and when birds are following the winds must be almost calm".

"When Bill Lishman led a gaggle of imprinted geese from Ontario to Environmental Studies at Airlie, Virginia in 1993, it was a first in ornithology and aviation" said Sladen. "The geese again, this time with the help of balloonists, have performed another first in ornithology and aviation. May they survive the winter and tell us what they have learned".