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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 24, 2008 |
Today's
Report Includes:
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Please
Report
Your Sightings! >> |
Where has this hummer been?
What clues do you see? >>
Photo:
Richard Mittleman |
The
Migration: Highlights, Maps,
and Questions |
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Distribution Map |
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Rufous
Hummingbird
This
Week's Map >>
Sightings >> |
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
This
Week's
Map >>
Sightings >>
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Handouts:
Today's Hummingbird Map Questions
Rufous Questions >
Rubythroat
Questions > |
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Highlights:
Rubythroats Reach Canada! Rufies Taking a Turn?
"He
was so loud as he buzzed by us that at first we ducked thinking
it was a large bee," reports an observer in Oklahoma. "Then
he flew right to a feeder and we were thrilled."
The Northeast felt like mid-summer last week. Flowers bloomed
and insects hatched. Skies were clear, winds favored flying, and
hummers made a great leap forward! (See which new states and provinces
can celebrate their return this week. >>)
What's more, the first batch landed in Canada. Can you find the
latitude of the most northern sighting? The migration is at its
peak! Females that have already arrived and mated are on to the
next stage. Watch this week's slideshow to find out how they gear
up for baby hummers.
Out West, rufous hummingbirds continued their journey north to
Alaska, despite arctic cold along the way. But others are shifting
their route. What's up? Check out this week's Map Puzzle.
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Breaking
News: One very special hummer arrived this
week. Was he on time? You decide! >>
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Highlights:
See what observers along Migration Trail are saying.
>>
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Map
Puzzle: Where are These Birds Headed? |
What
should we make of these wandering hummers? |
This
month, some Rufous hummingbirds seem to be changing their migration route.
Were they blown off course, or is something else at work? Look more closely
at this map, then try to figure out what's happening!
- Rufous
Hummingbirds Heading Inland? >>
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Slideshow:
Mama Hummers' Nest-building Secrets |
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Many
hummers are still making the long Journey North. But the females that
already arrived and mated have big plans. Their instinct tells
them to build nests that are cushy, waterproof, and stronger than steel!
What are their secrets? Read on . . .
- Slideshow:
Building a Hummingbird Nest: Strong, Soft, and Stretchy >>
- Handout
>>
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Journal:
How
Can You Help Hummingbirds? |
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Tuesday,
April 22, was Earth Day: A time to think about how to best care for the
earth and its creatures. Think about what you know about hummingbirds.
Then use your Hummingbird
Journal to do this:
- List some
ways that human activities might put hummingbirds at risk.
- List 3
ways you might be able to help hummingbirds and their habitat.
When
you're done, learn more!
How to Help Hummingbirds and Their Habitats >> |
What does
he have to do with hummers? |
This
Week's Hummingbird Resources |
The
Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer
>>
Beautiful illustrations and a delightful — and factual — tale
of a rubythroat's Journey North. |
- JN
for Kids Photo Studies: Stunning
hummingbird photos and video clips along with observation questions
>>
- Slideshow:
Building a Hummingbird Nest — Soft, Strong, and Stretchy >>
- Slideshow:
Make Way for Nesting: A Tale of Territories, Thieves, and Courtship
>>
- Tips:
How to Help Hummingbirds and Their Habitat >>
- Link:
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center >>
- Math
and More: Lanny Chambers' First Hummingbird is Here! >>
- Hummingbird
Migration Journals (click-and-print) >>
- Children's
Books We Like: The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer
(See box, right.)
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The
Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 1, 2008.
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