Flight By Night on the Vernal Equinox: Discussion of CQ #3 Challenge Question #3 asked: “Robins migrate at a speed of about 50 kilometers per hour. On the first day of spring, when night is exactly as long as day everywhere on the planet, how far might a robin go on its night flight? Look on a map and see if you can guess what town or city or your first robin of spring might have departed from the night before. Megan and Lillian from Ferrisburgh, VT said they thought that robins typically migrated during the day. We weren’t trying to trick you! You'll find out more below. Answers were good, and we thank you sending them! "Assuming that robins are migrating all night long - although we thought that they typically migrated during the day - a robin arriving in our town on the first day of spring would have travelled 600 kilometers. A town that is about 600 kilometers south of Ferrisburgh would be around Dover, Delaware." Megan and Lillian (Grade 6), Ferrisburgh, VT "The Robin flew 400 km to my house in Dennison Twp., PA. It started near Richmond, Virginia." Lily (age 8), grade 2/3 home school Our robin expert Laura Erickson tells us, “Robins migrate primarily by day during both spring and fall, but they may also migrate at night during both seasons. (Studies have shown that captive robins show migratory restlessness both day and night.) Nighttime is safer for eluding predators and getting cooler, more comfortable flying temperatures. However, if robins are not doing a really long flight to cover a lot of distance at once, daytime flying is helpful for feeding. They can stop where they see fruits and trees. When temps are cooler, robins may be more likely to move by day; the daylight makes it more likely for them to find food for energy and body heat when they reach a place to stop.” Copyright 1997- 2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form.