Migration Update: February 13, 2007
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:


A Robin in winter? How can you tell? Explore! >>

The Migration: Maps, Questions, Highlights

Robins: 1st SEEN
Map

Robins: WAVES
Map

Robins: SINGING
Map/Data*
* Use for classroom mapping.

    Handout: Today's Robin Map Questions     Background: About Our Robin Maps

Highlights:
Winter Robin Round-up results are in! These "snapshot" maps show what you told us: From Canada to Florida and California to Nova Scotia, robins are feeding, flocking, and flying. But singing to defend a territory? Not yet. An Indiana observer saw a wave of at least 100 robins pick a 25-foot holly tree clean! They are spread across a large part of their range, but the abundance (numbers) of robins is about to shift dramatically as spring migration begins. Enjoy a few highlights from observers >>

Discover: How Robins Spend the Winter
Many of you believe robins leave your area for the winter, and you were surprised to see so many robin reports on our maps. What would keep so many robins around all year while others migrate farther south? What do robins need to survive? What do robins DO in winter? You can use Journey North’s print-and-fold booklet, slideshow, and teacher guide to explore these questions, and more!
  • Booklet: Where Are Our Robins? >>
Big Surprise: An American Robin Gone Off Course! >>

An observer from London traveled 5 hours to see it. After all, American Robins are hardly ever reported across the ocean in England. Was this robin for real? How did it get there? Can it survive? What do you think might have happened? >>


The American Robin was spotted nearly 2,800 miles east of any other robin reported that week!
Unusual Robin Reported in England!
Journal Question: Wrong-way Robin? Explore! American Robin Gone Off Course >>
  • How do you think the American Robin ended up in England?

Write your ideas in your Robin Migration Journal.

Getting Ready: Can You Name That Tune?

Photo: Tom Grey

You can discover what's going on in the robins' world if you know what they are saying and singing. Our sound recordings help you recognize six common vocalizations robins make. Then listen to the same calls in scrambled order and see if you can…

  • Name That Tune! >>
Links: More Robin Resources to Explore
  • Tips: Report Your Robin Sightings >>
  • Getting Ready (Lesson): Robin Habitat and the Seasons >>
  • Planning Ahead: What to Watch For (Spring Phenology of Robins) >>
  • Overview: Making Sense of Robin Migration >>
  • Mapping: How to Use Journey North's Live Maps >>
  • Mapping: Making Sense of Robin Maps: A Map-Reading Tutorial >>
More Robin Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 27, 2007.