American Robin
Migration Update: March 3, 2009 
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:


Photo Tom Grey
How is this robin using its habitat? >>

The Migration: Maps, Questions, Highlights

First Seen
(map/sightings)

First Wave
(map/sightings)

First Song Heard
(map/sightings)

Highlights: Hungry Waves on the Move
Robins are doing just what we expect this time of year: flocking, feeding, and flying. As the robins move farther northward (see map), we expect to see more WAVES (groups of 3 to hundreds) of robins in southern regions and more FIRST robins in the north, and that's exactly what you've been reporting. Observers from the south saw large groups of robins hungrily feeding, stripping bushes of berries and then moving onward.

“On Saturday, Feb. 21, I heard my very first robin fully singing its song. On Sunday, during a state park survey, we encountered a bunch of robins singing. Probably 30 or more. We all stopped to listen and marvel that it wouldn't be long before they are gone. I am noticing a lot more movement in search of food and coming to the ground much more often now, grabbing earthworms and fallen berries. Seeing much larger flocks now means they are heading your way!" Ormond Beach, FL (29.31, -81.15)

Fourth graders in Mount Vernon, Indiana reported: "Several robins were singing to us as we checked on our tulips today. There were 4 in the trees and about 8 on the ground."

Today's Map Questions
>>


Map Questions >>

Photo D.M. Bouley

What robin behavior in this photo tells you these robins are not yet on their home territory?
Citizen Scientists Report: What Are They Observing?

Thanks to all you citizen scientists who have sent over 100 new sightings in the past two weeks. We can learn much from one another. What facts can we learn about the habitat chosen by waves of robins on the move? What are robins looking for? Get ready for your journal question by reading the details provided in just a few recent sightings:

  • Explore recent sightings! >>

Expand Your Migration Journal
Our new journal pages are designed for students to collect and reflect on observations and learning experiences while waiting and watching for their robins to return. The journal is a workplace where students document discoveries, explore ever-changing events, record compelling questions, and chronicle each step of their scientific journey. Get acquainted with two new pages (with links to teacher guides) for your robin journals:

For Your Journal
Explore Recent sightings!

Journal Question: How Do Migrating Robins Use Habitat? Lesson: Robin Habitats and the Season: What Do Robins Need to Survive? >>

Migratory species need good habitat all along the migration trail. They land in unfamiliar places, but they try to find certain things at every stopover. What things, and why? This week's lesson, photos, and sightings teach us much about where robins choose to land and linger as they move northward. Think about what you've seen and read as you answer:

  • How do migrating robins use habitat?

 

Journal Page

Ask the Expert: Opens March 6 

Special thanks to Journey North's robin expert Laura Erickson for sharing her time and expertise again this year to answer your questions.

What are you wondering about? Do you have questions that only an expert can answer? Beginning March 6, you have two weeks to prepare and submit your questions to Laura.
Ask the Expert is Open March 6 - March 20, 2009.

Photo by Marie Nitke
Report Your Sightings! Robins and Earthworms

"YIPPEE! Saw my first robin pull up a worm at National Zoo in the Outdoor Flight Cage, where several native species of birds reside alongside those on exhibit." (Feb. 26: Washington D.C.)

Yes, robins and worms are part of the same story. Please start looking for earthworms, and keep sending your sightings of robins: The first robin you SEE, WAVES of robins, the first robin you HEAR singing its territorial song. Your data helps build the real-time story of spring migration 2009. Thank you, citizen scientists!
Links: This Week's Robin Resources to Explore
  • Look Closely (Photo Study): How is this robin using its habitat? >>
  • Listen and Discern: Name That Tune >>
  • Contribute: Report Your Robin Sightings >>
  • Prepare (Lesson): When Will Our Robin Habitat be Ready? >>
  • Predict (Lesson): Testing a Temperature Theory About Robin Migration >>
  • Read Nonfiction: A Robin's Menu Through the Seasons>>

What does a robin need from its habitat? Is your robin's habitat ready?

More Robin Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next American Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 10, 2009.

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