American Robin
Migration Update: April 10, 2007
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:


Photo J. Brophy

Explore! Robins may build their first spring nest in an evergreen. Why? >>
The Migration: Maps, Data and Questions

Robins: 1st SEEN
Map

Robins: WAVES
Map

Robins: SINGING
Map
Data for classroom mapping.

Map Animation: The map of Robins Singing will show the clearest pattern Click on our week-by-week animations to see how each migration has advanced. >>

Handout: Today's Robin Map Questions

Highlights: Not Much to Sing About!
Cold weather was indeed the news of the week. Singing robins were few. They gathered in waves and flocks. What were they doing? These are typical of the comments you put on our MapServer this week:

"I love how the birds are defiantly singing away in the face of this cold weather and new snows. They 'think spring' no matter what." Gulliver, Michigan

"We had in excess of 25 robins in our yard and adjacent trees. . . The robins were almost frantic trying to get the last of the choke cherries. It was quite the sight on a blustery day." Calgary, AB

"WOW! There are hundreds of robins in the neighborhood! It's almost like the cold pushed them back from Canada! 23°F as a high today, much too cold for us at this time of year." Grant, MN

It's no wonder that teacher Joy Hamilton wrote to say: "No robins so far. We heard that because of the cold being experienced by YOU folks, our migrating birds are slow in coming our way. Well, maybe if they knew it was warmer here than in the Midwest they'd make a run —I mean FLY — for it." Shageluk, Alaska

 


Photos E. Howard

What can robins eat in an early April cold snap like we had last week?

Sumac (above) is an emergency food for wildlife. It's available in the spring only because nobody ate it during the winter.

 

More: Photos, Story >>
Observe: Cold Front Moves In Watch! >>

April 3: "This morning the air was filled with bird calls. The robins were doing their best to be the loudest. The last few days have been warm. Today it will be in the 70's." Columbus Elem. School, Thornwood, NY.

Then the weather changed! Watch the cold front move in from April 3 -7. What is the effect on robin migration when it's warm one week and freezing the next?
Journal: Flocking AND Singing?
  

"Robins are flocking AND singing here after fierce wind and cold the past week. A group of 50 were spread out in a big field, digging around in the grass. Another 50 were in a buckthorn thicket eating the berries AND singing! Temp. 28°F (brrr) and sunny." White Bear Lake, MN

  • You know that robins sing on territory to drive other robins away. How might you explain why robins are singing AND flocking during an unusual spring cold spell?

Write your ideas in your Robin Migration Journal. Then see what expert Laura Erickson thinks. >>

 
Predict: When Will Robins Reach the End of the Trail?

The kids at Innoko River School in Shageluk, Alaska are still waiting for their first robin.

Even if there are none in Shageluk, how many other Northern Observation Posts (NOPs) — the 22 yellow stars on the robin maps — have now seen or heard their first robins? Read the latest news from those who sent reports:


Lesson: >>
Links: This Week's Robin Resources to Explore
  • Journey North for Kids: A Robin's Spring Mission >>
  • Journey North for Kids: Two Robins Nesting >>
  • Identify: Exploring in the Field: Male or Female Robin? >>
  • Analyze: Spring Fever: Testing a Temperature Theory About Robin Migration >>
  • Literature Link by Jean Craighead George: Who Really Killed Mr. Robin? >>
  • Planning Ahead: What to Watch For (Spring Phenology of Robins) >>
  • Mapping: How to Use Journey North's Live Maps >>
More Robin Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 17, 2007 (data only).

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