Sunlight & Seasons
Signs of the Season:
Observations for May 2011

The great surge of migrations is in full swing as May arrives across North America. Warblers, orioles, hummingbirds, and grosbeaks are being reported in great numbers. Listen for new sounds, and celebrate seasonal change this month. Visit a northern school watching for signs of spring, and a backyard habitat filled with songbirds.

Image of the Month
finches
Photo: Helen Nofz
Visit a Backyard Sanctuary

News: Sunlight Leads Springtime Change

Spring 2011 has brought some terrific and some horrific weather. However, one thing you can count on each spring is the arrival of familiar signs of the season.

Whether it is the first sighting of a neotropical songbird or the first bloom of your favorite woodland wildflower, longer days and stronger light affect many biological changes.

This is the last Signs of Spring update for the school year, so now you're on your own! Continue to go outside and look, smell, feel, and listen carefully. Don't stop when the school year ends. On June 21, the summer solstice, be sure to celebrate the summer season in your journal.

What reports have been coming in during April and into May? Here's a sampling of recent reports.
 robins
April 21st snowstorm didn't scare away the robins in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

Pelee Island, Ontario
"Hey Birders, Another fantastic day here on the island! A little over 140 species were seen on the island, including 24 species of warbler! Birds and warblers in particular were constantly moving around the island and was very impressive. Good Birding!" -Ken Burrell

 Pelee Island
Map: Signs of the Season:
Please report your observations!
Observe the natural world closely. Make drawings and record data. Look for patterns of seasonal change. Then report observations from your part of the world!		 Signs of Fall 2010
North America
(map/sightings)
Sunlight: Observe Changes September 1 to May 1

Are you tracking sunrise and sunset times, daylength, or shadows in your hometown? What have you noticed? These things continue to change very quickly! How do they affect the progress of spring?

See the changes we've had with sunlight since April 1, and then watch the animation as we speed up time from September until today.
Spotlight: Nelson Rural School

Nelson Rural School in Miramichi, New Brunswick shares the signs of spring they have recorded since the first of April. This school, located north of 47°N on the Miramichi River shares with us a snapshot of spring.



buds sprouting
Miramichi River is open, but there are still snow piles waiting to melt.
Annual Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Annual Evaluation? With your help, we can document Journey North's reach, impact and value. We need comments like yours to keep the program going and growing.

 annual evaluation
This is the final Signs of the Season Update for Spring 2011
Please join us in September for Signs of Fall News!


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