Migration Update: April 6, 2011 |
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Spring weather has brought the rufous migration to a standstill, or has it? We explore now rain and snow in the Northwest affect rufous sighting reports. Rubythroat migration steady. How are hummingbirds mouthparts unique and how are they adapted to certain flowers. Compare two migrants, monarchs and hummers and find out how they fuel up. Today's Report Includes:
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Highlights, Maps, and Questions | ||||
Highlights:
In Alabama, "Ruby-throated hummingbird spotted flying by looking for the usual place of our hummingbird feeder just following heavy local storms." Rufous hummingbirds are tough, but the weather in the Pacific Northwest has been less than spring-like. "Finally! A male and a female arrived today. It snowed yesterday and the red flowering currant flowers are just starting show, so it looks like things are a bit late this year," reports a spotter in Zigzag, Oregon. Rubies Continue Northward Rufous? Finally, this report from an exhuberant reporter in Augusta, Georgia,"6:15 P.M. MACHO MALE, younger male and a female ruby---at least--maybe more!! They're ba-a-a-c-k!! HOOOOORAY!!"
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Explore: Flower-Powered Migratory Species | ||||
We've seen the amazing mouthparts of the hummingbird and how they are specialized to allow the bird to drink nectar from flowers and feeders. Let's explore this further and compare the hummingbird with another spring migrant, the monarch butterfly. Both these species feed on high-energy flower nectar. Explore the flowers each species prefers and then think about adaptations that you think makes each animal a good "fit" for the flowers. Finally we'll journal about what we learned. |
How do hummers and monarchs choose their nectar? |
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Getting Started: This Week's Hummingbird Resources | ||||
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More
Hummingbird Lessons and
Teaching Ideas! |
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The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 13, 2011.
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