Migration Update: April 14, 2010 |
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Ruby-throated hummers pushed further north this week and many more people got their first sighting. As the males arrive they appear to be on a manic mission: Set up territories, defend them from would-be thieves, and impress a mate. Watch their antics in this week's slideshow. Then solve the migration rate puzzle to determine how long before you see your first hummer. Today's Report Includes:
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Highlights, Maps, and Questions | |||||||||
Highlights:
Hummers
Push North! Although Journey North maps show the earliest birds, not the masses of migrants, imagine being in the right place at the right time for this spring's rufous migration. One delighted observer from the Oregon coast reported seeing multiple hummers fly over earlier this week! (see sighting reports) Don't be discouraged if others near by are reporting sightings. Stick to it like this observed did on 04/12/10 from Loganville, Georgia.
Pacific Northwest weather continues to be wet and cold holding rufous hummers down. An observer from 04/09/10 in Westbank, British Columbia confirms the spring cold,
Some of you talk about your hummingbird being back. One observer says that when his hummers returned, they checked the wire hanger where the feeder was last year. Do hummingbirds really return to the same places each spring? If you were a tiny hummer, how could you find one little feeder after a thousand mile journey? Let's explore:
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Male hummers heading north have no choice in the matter. They have an overwhelming urge to set up territories, defend food sources, and more. And that's no easy task! Discover why.
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Math Puzzle : How Fast Does the Migration Travel? | |||||||||
Migrating
animals travel at very different average rates. A bog turtle might travel
just 56 feet in a day, but a monarch butterfly might fly 40 to 100 miles
a day! How fast and far do ruby-throated hummingbirds travel?
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**Expert answers to your hummingbird questions!** |
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Getting Started: This Week's Hummingbird Resources | |||||||||
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More
Hummingbird Lessons and
Teaching Ideas! |
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The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 21, 2010.
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