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Hummingbird Migration Update: April 6, 2006 | |||||||||
Today's Report Includes: |
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Hummingbird Migration Maps and Data | |||||||||
What a week! As predicted, the weather warmed and the migrations surged forward. Take a look:
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Here Comes My Hummingbird! | |||||||||
Where is the hummingbird that is closest to you? Look at the map and measure the distance. When do you think your first hummingbird will arrive?
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Early Sighting in Alaska Raises Questions: Should We Keep it on the Map? | |||||||||
Two
weeks ago, a very early hummingbird was reported in Alaska. That March 21st
sighting was questioned by Mr. Gus van Vliet, an Alaskan who keeps migration
records there: "This observation would smash the previous record early
arrival date for Juneau by at least 10 days," he remarked. Now, two more hummingbirds have been reported from Alaska. They give us more evidence as we try to decide: Should we keep the early record on the map? Evaluate the situation and share your advice! Here is a framework to help you: |
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Waiting for One Special Hummingbird: Challenge Question #6 | |||||||||
Mr. Lanny Chambers collects spring migration records of Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds and forwards them to Journey North. Last year he gathered
about 3,000! Most of the sightings on our migration map are due to his
generosity. |
Lanny Chambers |
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Discussion of Challenge Question #5: Why Are the Migrations So Different? | |||||||||
How
was it possible, we asked, for Rufous hummingbirds to be in Alaska when
Rubythroats were still clustered in the southern United States? New Jersey students Stephen, Shawn, Nick L, and Zooraze knew climate and habitat must be important. "The different types of hummingbirds probably have different needs and climates at different times," they suspected. Most people are surprised when they look closely at North America's climate patterns. Some parts of Alaska are warmer than parts of the lower 48 U.S. states! In fact, tulips have already emerged in Gustavus, Alaska according to students there. Let's compare the climate where both hummingbird species are migrating right now: |
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Please Report Your Sightings! | |||||||||
We can't track migration without your help. To Report >>>.
The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 13, 2006. Copyright
1997- 2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. |