Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Migration Update: May 15, 2008

Today's Report Includes:

Please Report
Your Sightings! >>
Singin' in the rain? Explore! >> Photo: Russ Thompson
The Migration: Highlights, Maps, and Questions

Distribution Map

Rufous
Hummingbird

This Week's Animation >>
Sightings >>

Ruby-throated
Hummingbird

This Week's Animation >>
Sightings >>

Handout: Today's Hummingbird Map Questions >>

Highlights: Canada's Provinces Can Celebrate!
Welcoming weather brought loads of rubythroats into Minnesota and other northern schoolyards and backyards this past week. What's more, the maps show that these territory-seeking migrants are spreading across Canada (4 new provinces this week!). Can you find the island province where rubythroats have been spotted? We noticed that they're also beginning to move west. A number of these reports came in on May 12. Look at these weather maps from that day and think about what urged them on >>.

As rubythroats head west, do you think they'll bump into any rufous hummers? Stay tuned. In the meantime, dig into today's maps, keep your eyes and ears peeled for new arrivals, and read today's Highlights from the Migration Trail. >>

Come back next week to explore how fledged young hummers survive the summer and prepare for an amazing journey south.
Journal: Why Do We Welcome Them?

Our observers are clearly delighted when migrating hummingbirds return:
"Yay, I'm always thrilled to see them again." "Now the world is allright again!" "We're so happy to have our friends back." "Hurrah! Let the joy of hummers be yours, as they are mine." "So good to finally see our flying jewel."

If you have seen any hummers, what words describe how you felt? Why do you think people feel so good about spotting the first hummingbirds of the season? Describe another seasonal observation that excites you. Why do you think you feel that way?

  • Respond in your Hummingbird Journal. >>

What's up with this rufous hummer? It's staring at its reflection in a glass ball! What do you think he's thinking? (Click to enlarge.)
Photo: ©Alandra Palisser
Project: Now You're the Experts!

During the last few months, you've shared and heard a lot about these tiny, feisty, fearless fliers called hummingbirds. Now's the time to make a creation to show what you've learned about hummers and their migration. Consider these formats: A poster, wall-size timeline, podcast, slideshow, or booklet.

Draw from your Hummingbird Journals and from news updates, maps, prediction charts, slideshows, and other materials. Bring them to life with your own drawings. We'd love to see photos of your work!

Review your hummingbird journals as you plan a final creation!

Teachers: The migration is wrapping up in the next few weeks!

What Have We Learned?
Hummingbird Migration Assessment Tools >>
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>
Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation? (We'll still send hummer reports until June 5.)

Only with your help can we document Journey North's reach, impact, and value. The information you provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. Thank you!

Year-end Evaluation >>
This Week's Hummingbird Resources
  • JN for Kids Photo Studies: Stunning hummingbird photos and video clips along with observation questions >>
  • Slideshow: What Happens in a Hummingbird Nest? >>
  • Reading/Slideshow: 22 Days in a Hummingbird Nest >>
  • Photo Study: Singin' in the Rain? >>
  • Lesson: Preening: Keeping Flight Gear in Tip-Top Shape >>
  • Hummingbird Arrivals: Rubythroat Chart and Rufous Chart
  • Celebrate! International Migratory Bird Day >>
  • Assessment Tools: What Have We Learned About Hummingbirds? >>
  • Tips: How to Help Hummingbirds and Their Habitat >>
  • Video Clip: One Minute with a Hummingbird >>
More Hummingbird Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 22, 2008.

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