Hummingbirds
| Please Report Your Sightings! |
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Today's Report Includes:
- News: Hummer Sighting News
- Study: Three weeks in a Nest
- Explore: Scientific Observations
- Maps: Latest Maps
- Annual Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts
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| Credit: Sagamore Hills Elem. |
| What Scientists Do |
As our days lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere our migrating hummingbirds are arriving on their most northern breeding grounds. From Miramichi, New Brunswick (47.03, -65.18) to Langham, Saskatchewan (52.37, -106.97) ruby-throated sightings are arriving.
Laurie from Glen Haven, Nova Scotia shared, “They put a bright spot in each day even if you just get a glimpse of them. For me they complete Spring.”
On Schedule, or Not?
- A spotter from Authurette, New Brunswick, writes, "Exactly a year to the date from last year that the first little guy showed up at my feeder(s). A similar story was also reported this week from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, "Male ruby-throated returned this morning—right on time according to our records."
- Pleasant Point, Nova Scotia, reports, "We've had the feeder out since that extraordinary warm spell in March. With all the talk of an early migration we are surprised to only see the first Ruby-throated Hummer today, 5 days later than last year."
Seasons Change and So Do Hummers
- From Cooper, Maine, "Today I saw a male "looping" for the female." (Read about this courtship behavior.)
- In Bellingham, Washington, John Doerper observes a transition from winter Anna’s hummers (male and female) to a mix of resident and visitor hummingbirds.
- In Spokane, Washington a rufous was sighted checking out the six feeders, "I watched him and a male Calliope over feeder rights...they're so fast!"
- Saskatoon, Manitoba spotters see their first ruby this week just as the school's tulips are finishing their bloom.
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| Teachers: The hummingbird migrations are wrapping up in the next few weeks! What have we learned? Consider some assessment tools. |
Scientists observe, question, and learn more. Third grade students in Atlanta, Georgia took the time to really look at the physical details of the ruby-throated and rufous hummingbird species. Their teacher challenged them: What shapes are in their bodies? What colors are their feathers? What questions do you have?
Enjoy their class field guide to ruby and rufous hummers.
Imagine how far the northern birds sighted this week have traveled since they left their winter homes in Central America and Mexico. Some of these birds are just now reaching their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. It is hard to believe such a small bird is capable of this long migration. Celebrate the advances the birds have made this week as you study the maps.
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| Journal Page |
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| Ruby-throated (map | animation | sightings) |
Rufous (map | animation | sightings) |
Other (map | animation | sightings) |
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