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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 22, 2008 |
Today's
Report Includes:
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Please
Report
Your Sightings! >> |
Two young males tangle! Why? Explore. >>
Animation:
Russ Thompson |
The
Migration: Highlights, Maps,
and Questions |
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Distribution Map |
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Rufous
Hummingbird
This
Week's Animation >>
Sightings
>> |
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
This
Week's Animation >>
Sightings >>
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Handouts:
Today's Hummingbird Map Questions
Rufous Questions >
Rubythroat
Questions > |
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Highlights:
"First" Sightings Slowing Down, Hummers Still
Busy!
The maps have slowed down since last week's update. Take a look
at the animation (above). Next, count how many "first"
rubythroated hummingbird sightings were reported in the past week.
You'll find the list here: >>
Compare that to the number from the previous week. How would you
explain the difference in the number of reports? List as many
factors as you can. There's no one right answer, but you should
be able to think like a hummer — and an observer —
by now!
The maps may be quiet, but the hummers are buzzing. One was spotted
hastily feeding on a banquet of flower baskets. In Alberta, Canada
a rufous hummingbird flew in just after Mother's Day despite three
fresh feet of snow on the ground. In most of the 54 states and
provinces where our species have been spotted, hummers are following
their instincts: mate, nest, help fledglings get a good start,
fatten up, then prepare for another journey! We'll explore parts
of this adventure, and more, in this week's slideshow.
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Slideshow:
Fledging, Feeding, Fattening, Flying! |
In
many areas, hummingbirds have just barely arrived. But while you're off
on summer vacation, some hot hummer happenings will take place. Nestlings
will wildly vibrate their wings before their first lift-off. Then they'll
feed up like mad. By the time you're back in school, most will have left
on a long and risky journey south. And they'll venture forth without a
map or anyone leading the way! Explore more in this week's slideshow.
- Preparing
for a Journey South: Fledging, Feeding, Fattening, Flying >>
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Journal:
New Discoveries, 3-2-1 |
Which is the
mother and which is the nestling? Does anything surprise you?
Photo:
Michele Polimine
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After
seeing today's slideshow, what new things did you learn about hummingbirds
and their migration? Use your hummingbird
journal to write down the following:
- 3
challenges a young hummer faces between the time it's old enough to
leave the nest and the time it arrives on winter grounds.
- 2
things a hummingbird knows by instinct and 1 thing it must learn.
- 1
or more questions you have about fledgings and their journey south.
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Teachers:
The migration is wrapping up soon!
What
Have We Learned?
Hummingbird Migration Assessment Tools >> |
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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!
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Year-end
Evaluation >> |
This
Week's Hummingbird Resources |
First
Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story
by Don and Noriko Carroll
>>
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- JN
for Kids Photo Studies: Stunning
hummingbird photos and video clips along with observation questions
>>
- Reading/Slideshow:
Preparing for a Journey South: Fledging, Feeding, Fattening,
Flying >>
- Reading/Slideshow:
22 Days in a Hummingbird Nest >>
- Photo
Study:
Two Young Males Tangle >>
- Hummingbird
Arrivals:
Rubythroat
Chart and Rufous
Chart
- Assessment
Tools:
What Have We Learned About Hummingbirds? >>
- Tips:
How to Help Hummingbirds and Their Habitat >>
- Hummingbird
Books We Like: First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story
(see link, right)
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The
Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 29, 2008.
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