The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: May twenty-eighth, thinking of good migrations.

The past decade saw a five fold increase in the number of travelers making journeys to witness a migration of wild birds and beasts. That's not surprising. TV shows have made the public more wildlife aware; these instinct-choreographed mass movements make for gripping theater, especially with so many species endangered; it's easier to reach many remote locations. In fact, every month of the year, some species is on the move. Here's a calendar of notable migrations.

In January, the Magellanic penguins mass on the beaches of Punta Tombo, on Argentina's windswept coast, while February is when the gray whales begin their journey from Baja to the Bering Sea. And each March, blizzards of snow geese gather in the Reifel Bird Sanctuary near Vancouver, Canada before flocking to Siberia.

For myriad Aprils now, the caribou have tramped through the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve. Who knows how much longer that will happen? In May, 50,000 sandhill cranes can be spotted near Manley Hot Springs, also in Alaska. In June, volunteers in Trinidad help preserve the futures of hundreds of leatherback turtles. In July, beluga whales frolic in Canada's Churchill River, while arctic terns turn up in August near Monterey, on California's coast.

In September, the Serengeti sees a million wildebeest. Sock-eye salmon pack the Adams River in British Columbia in October. Despite this winter's harshness, come November many millions of monarch will perch on the pines in Mexico's El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary. In December, the elephant seals arrive on California's Channel Islands.

These epic animal journeys are profiled in this issue of National Geographic Traveler, a supporter of our program. You can register for a free sample copy at our hommepage.

FMI For a variety of wildlife tours check with Natural Habitat Adventures at www.nathab.com or 800-543-8917.

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