Bill Lishman - Operation Migration

Operation Migration

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lishman openly wondered if waterfowl could be taught new migration patterns by following low-speed ultralight aircraft. In 1993, after several years of logistical and bureaucratic setbacks, Lishman successfully led a flock of Canada geese on a winter migration from Ontario, Canada to northern Virginia. Of the sixteen birds that participated in the migration, thirteen returned to Ontario the following year - entirely on their own.

Operation Migration was co-founded by Bill Lishman and Joe Duff in 1994 and registered as a charity in Canada and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States. Following the successful experiment with Canada geese, the team turned their efforts to rare and endangered species. Richard Van Huevelen, who assisted Bill in many of his sculptures, is one of the most valuable team members.

In 1999, Operation Migration, led by Joe Duff, was asked by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to spearhead an attempt to reintroduce whooping cranes into eastern North America. As of 2012, the team continues to lead a new generation of whooping cranes on their first migration with the goal of establishing a self sustaining flock by the year 2015.

The 1996 movie Fly Away Home was loosely based on Lishman's early work, including his book Father Goose, published in 1995.

Lishman's ideas are credited as an inspiration for the French film Winged Migration .