Today's Report Includes:
- The
Migration: Highlights,
Maps, and
Questions
- Journal:
Nest Pictures
Tell a Story
- Slideshow:
Peek
into a Hummer Nest!
- Assessment:
What Have
We Learned?
- Year-end
Evaluation: Please
Share Your Thoughts!
Your Sightings! >>
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 Distribution Map |
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| Rufous
|
Ruby-throated
|
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| Handouts:
Today's Hummingbird Map Questions Rufous Questions > Rubythroat Questions > |
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"I heard a familiar buzzing. It was the wings of the hummingbird as he hovered close to my head," writes one observer. "It's always exciting when the first on arrives!" say sixth graders in Budd Lake, New Jersey. Reports pored in this past week as a big band of hummingbirds pushed into the northern part of the States and further into Canada. Look at the animation to see what has changed. >> Did you see the most northern rubythroat report? Look at the map and find the latitude of the sighting. Then look at our distribution map (above). What do you notice? Why were so many rubythroat sightings reported this past two weeks? Perhaps good flying weather or a high number of observers played a role. More important, most of these mini migrants have left their wintering grounds and are following the instinct to race north and breed. As they do, they find an explosion of blooming plants, hatching insects, and full feeders stretching from border to border — and beyond. Be sure to add to your Migration Route Prediction Charts. Rubythroats moved into South Dakota, New Brunswick, and Quebec last week. Rufous hummers landed in Montana. Also, when you first spot a hummer, please report it. Your sightings help us all learn more about hummingbirds and what affects their timing. Rufous hummingbirds continue to push into the mountains to dine on wildflowers. Word has it that one newly arrived rufous was banded 2,100 miles away near New Orleans! We'll share the exciting story and photos next week. Meanwhile, let's peek inside some nests. |
What can you discover when you visit a rufous nest stuffed with two nestlings? Use your observation skills!
A female hummingbird is about to lay eggs the size of jellybeans. You're invited to peek inside, welcome the nestlings into the world, and watch them grow for 22 days!
| Teachers: The migration is wrapping up in the next few weeks! What
Have We Learned? |
With your help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact, and value. We need comments like yours to keep the program going and growing. Thank you! >>
Year-end Evaluation >>
- School Spotlight: Hummingbirds at the Window >>
- Reading/Slides: What Happens in a Hummingbird Nest? >>
- Reading/Writing: Rubythroat Nesting Phenology >>
- Hummingbird Arrivals: Rubythroat Chart and Rufous Chart
- Assessment Tools: What Have We Learned About Hummingbirds? >>
- JN for Kids Photo Studies: Stunning hummingbird photos and video clips along with observation questions >>
- Hummingbird Migration Journals (click-and-print) >>
- Tips: How to Help Hummingbirds and Their Habitat >>
- Children's Books We Like: First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story >>
The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 14, 2009
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