American Robin Migration Update:
April 25, 2006
Today's Report Includes:
American
Robin Migration Maps and Data
First Robins
Seen |
Waves
of Robins |
First Robins Heard Singing* |
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(map)
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(map)
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(map)
(data)
*Recommended for mapping |
Latest Migration News
This week's maps have few new sightings, and robins are clearly nearing
the end of the migration trail. However, some robins are still underway,
migrating to North America's far north to breed. Because few people
live in the most remote regions, we have found willing volunteers-our
Northern Observation Posts (NOPs)--to watch for the arrivals there.
Each week, the suspense grows! In the northern limits of Robin range,
which NOP will see and hear the next robin?
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News from the Northern Observation Posts: Who's Still Waiting?
"Ducks? Yes. Cranes? Yes.
How about Varied Thrushes? Yes. Robins? Not yet," reports Stan
White in Homer, Alaska. But in Anchorage, NOP Mike Sterling is celebrating
the first robin!
"Just this morning
I stepped out of my garage, mounted my commuter bike, and said, 'Today
will be
the
day
that I hear my first robin.' I was right. I heard it in the woods
along the bird sanctuary that borders a portion of my commute. There
is still
snow on the path, and the loud crunching of it beneath my tires almost
covered it up. The unmistakable sounds of a newly-arrived robin could
be heard once I stopped my bike! Yahoo! And we saw gulls, geese,
and ducks all this week as they landed on the playground and soared
over
the lake behind the school." Mike Sterling, April 19, 2006
And waaaaaay up in Shageluk, Alaska, our Early Bird Contest Hosts
also HEARD their first robin! Teacher Joyanne Hamilton reported:
"Nice timing
to hear our first Robin: Earth Day! We haven't seen any yet, but
the Canadian Geese, Tundra Swans and misc. Ducks have started coming
in
and can be heard all over since last week. I suspect we should see
our first Robin, soon, although temps are still dropping below freezing
every morning." Students in far-north Shageluk, Alaska tell
you what they
like best about spring!
How many NOPs
are still waiting to see their first robin? This week's field
notes are full of fascinating news, such as two straight days of snowfall.
It's time for you to make or revise your final predictions
for first robins
at
the
NOPS!
Please keep watching and reporting. The story of this year's spring
migration all the way to the end of the trail is almost complete!
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"Robins
are feasting on big fat worms, fighting to get them out of
the ground. I saw Papa Robin with what looks like twigs today," reports
Dominique from our Quebec NOP. In British Columbia, Linda reports
nest building activity, especially in the mornings. "They
like to gather huge beakfuls of leftover garden material."
Our flock of brand new robin photos shows a springtime robin on a special mission.
Is it the same mission as the robins above? Click the arrows of our new photo
slide show to see. Remember to click on the links that invite you to "Learn
More" so you can prepare your answer to this week's Challenge Question.
The fun starts on this page:
Then
come back and answer. . .
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Nest Numbers
Challenge Question #7:
"If a lucky robin lives for 12 years and builds nests each summer except
her first, how many nests would she build in her lifetime?
What 3 things make her old nest unsafe for babies?"
To
respond to this question, please follow these instructions.
Go Lay An Egg: Discussion of Challenge Question #6
On April 11 we asked: "If we estimate a 2-week delay for every
5 degrees north in latitude, and we assume robins in
Middlesboro, Kentucky (36.6 N, -83.7W) are now beginning to lay
eggs, when would
you expect
robins in White Bear Lake, Minnesota (45.0 N,-93.0W)
to begin laying their eggs?"
"Our homeschool group calculated that the robins in White Bear Lake
should be laying eggs around April 29," calculated Chris, Lindsey, Micah, Anna, Lilly, Melanie,
Hannah, Lauren, Nicole, and Jared. Well
done!
The students
subtracted to find the difference in latitude between the two locations:
8.4 degrees.
For the first five degrees, a two-week
delay from April 11 would bring us to April 25.
The remaining 3.4 degrees of latitude would probably
add just over another week, so their answer
is close and their reasoning is right. We'd give
those robin eggs a few more days, perhaps until
around May 3. But these are only estimates.
What factors might affect the "2-week delay
for every 5 degrees north in latitude?"
You're the Expert: One Egg, Two Eggs. . .
On
April 23, a worried Wisconsin reader wrote: "Below my
balcony, I have noticed a new Robin's nest in the tree. Is
it typical for the female to lay eggs and keep them unguarded?
Or am I disturbing their comfort and safety by observing
them from such a close distance? I noticed one egg yesterday,
and now a second has been laid, but still no Robins guarding
the nest."
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Imagine
you are the expert. What would you tell this observer? If you
read our new booklet in the April
11 report, you found an answer
for this observer's question. Look again>> |
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Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! |
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Year End Evaluation
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The FINAL Robin Migration Update
Will Be Posted on May 9, 2006.
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