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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 20, 2006
Today's Report Includes:
- Hummingbird Maps and Data
- Latest Migration News
- Rufous Hummers in High Latitudes: Challenge Question #7
- NEW! One Minute With a Hummingbird: What Do You See?
- Reminder: Comparing Hummingbirds to Robins
- Waiting for One Special Hummingbird: Discussion of CQ #6
- Please
Report Your Sightings
Hummingbird Maps and Data
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 Distribution Map |
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| Rufous
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Ruby-throated
Most
data courtesy of Lanny Chambers, |
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| Departure from Normal temps- April 9 - 15, 2006 |
Latest Migration News
Whoosh! That's the sound of Ruby-throated hummingbirds filling our map
in a BIG push northward! Just view the gold dots peppering this week's
map. Isn't it amazing to see the changes one week can bring? (Click
on the Web slide show to fast-forward maps for this migration.) Where
is the leading edge of the migration now? What do you think helps explain
such progress? How much farther will Rubythroats go? Most important,
how close are YOUR hummers?
Rufous Hummers in High Latitudes: Challenge Question #7
“
In Auke Bay, AK (58.85, -134.67), a Rufous hummingbird made two brief
visits in the afternoon of April 10, but was not seen again until April
15, when again it made only two very brief visits. Temperatures continue
to be only in the 30's and 40's F., so Spring 2006 is definitely delayed
in the Juneau region,” reported one observer.
This reminds us that the Rufous hummingbird's ancestors were from
the equatorial tropics, yet this hummingbird reaches the most northern
latitude of any hummingbird species. Look how closely the Rufous
range
map matches
our map of sightings! What defines the "end of the trail" for
Rufous hummingbirds, and why don't they go farther north? These Google
maps show the northern limits of the Rufous hummingbird range. What
can you learn from exploring the maps?
Challenge Question #7:
“At what town and latitude was this week's northernmost sighting report? Do you predict Rufous hummingbirds will be seen any farther north than this week's northernmost sighting? Defend your answer. What changes-northward or eastward-- do you predict the migration will show in one week?" TIP: See this week's data.
- To respond to this question, please follow these instructions.
NEW! One Minute With a Hummingbird: What Do You See?
| Video
Clip (Select PC or Mac) |
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Even if your Rubythroat hasn't yet arrived, our video clip puts the action right in front of your eyes. Watch a female hummingbird for one minute while she visits a feeder. Print the handout so you know what to watch for, and then play the video clip THREE times to see and record your observations. Click here for directions before you begin:
Do you think you'd see differences when you compare this female's activities to a minute with a male hummingbird at a feeder? Stay tuned for coming attractions!
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Mr.
Lanny Chambers
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We asked: “What is the average date Mr. Lanny Chambers sees his first hummingbird? What is the range of dates? Most important of all, when do you predict he will see his first hummingbird this year?”
Savvy seventh graders at Iselin Middle School figured the range of dates is 7; the average date of Lanny Chambers's first hummingbird sighting is April 19. They made their predictions for 2006, and now you can check them against the actual arrival date--because Lanny's first Rubythroat is here! It's all unveiled at this week's discussion page:
We can't track migration without your help. To Report >>>.
The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on April *27, 2006 (Migration Maps and Data only).
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