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Discussion of Challenge Question #6
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- What is the average date Mr. Lanny Chambers first sees a hummingbird?
- What is the range of dates?
- Most important, when do you predict he will see his first hummingbird this year?
What
You Said
Good
work! Seventh graders at Iselin Middle School pointed out that the range
of dates is 7 and the average date when Lanny first sees a hummingbird
is April 19. Anthony, Vanessa, Gurpreet,
and Vaho predict April 20 for this year's arrival date.
Shawn, Stephen, Nick,
and Zooraze opt for April 19.
Lanny's First Hummer Has Arrived!
You don't have to wait in suspense any longer. See when Lanny's first rubythroat arrived this year and in past years.
Think: How did your predictions compare with the actual arrival date? How would you explain the differences? Are they large or small?
Consider
This!
Winter and spring temperatures in rubythroat territory were much
warmer than normal this year, but Lanny's first hummer was only a few
days earlier than the average. In fact, Lanny sees his first hummingbird
within a range of 7 days. Why such a small window? (Stop here and think
before you read on!)
Answer: Daylength
(photoperiod) is more important for triggering hummingbird migration than
temperature is. This is the same every year!
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