ST. MARKS, Fla. (WTXL) -- Northern residents often use Florida as a warm oasis from the bitter cold of the winter season.
Certain species of birds are no different in the effort to find comfort.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service anticipated the arrival of seven whooping cranes later this week to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County.
The flock's travels originated in Wisconsin and have been guided by pilots in ultralight aircraft into the southern latitudes of the United States over the past 60 days.
The whooping cranes are scheduled to arrive Thursday during the 8:00 a.m. hour, weather permitting, in a field near the end of Woodville Highway next to the St. Marks River. Weather conditions for early Thursday will feature cool temperatures and light winds, with a few passing clouds.
According to manager Terry Peacock, the St. Marks wildlife refuge will be the only such facility in Florida to host the cranes for the season.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service says there are about 600 whooping cranes existing in the wild.
