American Robin
Migration Update: March 31, 2009 
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:

Which is the male? Which is the female? >>
The Migration: Maps, Questions, Highlights

First Seen
(map/sightings)

First Wave
(map/sightings)

First Song Heard
(map/sightings)

Highlights: Robins Move Into Canada
The calendar says spring, but wintry weather is clobbering much of the robin's northern range. It's not stopping the robins! They have pushed north into Canada (and some of our NOPs)!

St Sauveur Des Monts, PQ
"Early this morning, saw two robins in the apple tree — in spite of bad weather, mix of rain and snow, and still quite a bit of snow on the ground. They are a couple of weeks earlier than usual!" (3/29/09) a Northern Observation Post

Mariapolis, MB
" -5ºC and the poor fellow was sitting all puffed up, looking for food. I leave the crabapples on the tree all winter and in the spring the robins and other travelers just love them and clean the tree up for me." (3/28/09)

Auke Bay, AK
"The first Robin sighting anywhere on the Juneau road-system! Seen near the Juneau golf course at 9AM ... bird was at the tip of a small tree, calling excitedly, with snow flurries coming down and temps in the mid-30's F." (3/29/09)
Today's Map Questions >>



Photo Elizabeth Howard

In Homer, Alaska, Kris Owens (a Journey North NOP), reports: "The volcano (Mount Redoubt) has erupted 18 times in the last week and we got ashed big time! No robins yet." (3/30/09)

Slide Show: Will a Robin Choose Your Neighborhood?

"We saw a Robin in our yard pulling worms. I think it's going to build a nest in our yard!" reported Stephanie from Albuquerque, NM.

Somewhere out there, a robin might be heading right for your backyard, too, thinking he owns it. After all, a male’s first job in spring is to find a territory. Why do robins have "territories?" What important robin activities happen in a territory? What do you think a robin looks for when choosing a territory in spring? How will you know if a robin has claimed your backyard or schoolyard for its territory? Look for the answers in this week's nonfiction feature. >>


Slide Show - Booklet - Teachers
Journal: What Do Robins Notice? Explore! Recognizing a Good Territory From Above >>

"The pink light of dawn is on the horizon. It's 6:06 am and I heard the 'tuck-tuck-tuck' of the robin. I waited. As if clearing his voice to prepare for the long season of singing, would he be ready to begin? Within seconds I heard the answer, my robin's first song of the spring." — March 26: Norwich, VT (43.75, -72.31)

That robin (and yours, too) is singing for a reason. It's how he announces he is home on his territory! Do you wonder what robins might notice that WE don't usually see?

  • What are at least five things that a robin looks for as it flies above in search of a good territory?

Write your ideas in your Robin Migration Journal.


Photo Tom Grey


Hear the Robin's Territorial Song >>
Early Bird Contest! When Will the First Robin Reach Shagleuk, Alaska? Enter the Early Bird Contest! >>

Students in Shageluk's Innoko River School just watched the annual Iditerod Sled Dog Race go through their town. Now they are eagerly watching for the first Gonondadoy (Robin) of 2009 to arrive in their village. When do YOU think it will happen? Enter your prediction in our Early Bird Contest. The students will report the sighting; if your date is closest, we'll send you a Journey North T-shirt.

Meet the kids of Shageluk, Alaska, our Early Bird Contest hosts and Northern Observation Post (NOP) >>
Shageluk Students: Citizen Scientists in Action Slide Show >>
Are you curious about life in northern places where the robins arrive last? You read about the lives of students in our NOP of Shageluk, Alaska, at the links above. There's more: Their school is in its 7th year as an official study site for ALISON (Alaska Lake Ice and Snow Observatory Network). Tramping through deep snow on thick ice in freezing cold on dark winter days for many months is what they do. Put on your coat and boots for this slide show and find out why! >>
Links: This Week's Robin Resources to Explore
  • Exploring in the Field: Male or Female? >>
  • Read and Think: Will a Robin Choose Your Neighborhood? Booklet/Slide Show for Kids >>
  • View: New Kids on the Block - Claiming a Territory (Video and Viewing Guide) >>
  • Read Nonfiction, Draw a Map: Robin Territory Study >>
  • Observe: Ladies Second >>
  • Slide Show: Climate Change: Citizen Scientists in Action >>
  • Observe (Checklist): Spring Phenology of Robins >>
More Robin Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next American Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 7*, 2009 (*Data Only).

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