American Robin
FINAL American Robin Migration Update: May 5, 2009 
Thank you for
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:


Photo Copyright Wayne Kryduba
Count. What's unusual?
Learn More >>
The Migration: Maps and Highlights

First Seen
(map/sightings)

First Wave
(map/sightings)

First Song Heard
(map/sightings)

Congratulations, Students! For almost 4 months you have watched the ever-changing Journey North maps based on what you and other citizen scientists report. The maps above are snapshot in time for today. How would you sum up the season? What factors might have influenced the "pace" of the 2009 spring from one week to the next?

Highlights: End of the Road
From Florida to Alaska and California to Canada, robins are home. They are singing in Homer, Alaska (59.79 N/-151.31 W):

Yes! On April 27 we heard a robin at the top of a snag, not singing but warming up. . .Then on April 28 he was singing, somewhat tentatively, but singing. He was joined by others later in the day, and now (May 3) we can fully expect to hear them when we go outside at the right times. . .The record-setting summer-like weather has held all week and we (people and robins) are all reveling in it."

Now the backyard fun begins! Here's one reprot in our "Robin (OTHER observations):"

Lansing Michigan (42.73, -84.56)
"What an exciting piece of nature we were blessed with to have right in our own back yard," walking out on our back patio we realized that in one of our fake trees a robin has built and is resting in a nest." (May 3)

This week we take a look at what's happening in those nests — and the ones that may be in your own backyard. Read on for fascinating details as you and your robins get ready for summer.

ONE NOP >> is still awaiting the first robin.

Anchorage, AK (61.22 N/-149.87 W):

" I have not yet seen a robin, and believe me, I really have been looking hard. Our class was at Taku Lake Park on Friday to release our 7 remaining salmon fry (from 300 eggs) and I watched the trees intently there. The ice just went out on most of the lakes here in Anchorage this weekend. We have finally had a stretch of several days of bright, sunny days with temperatures going into the high 50s to low 60s, but we still risk frost at night and the ground is very cold." (May 4)


Lesson: Eggstra! Eggstra! The Story of Robin Eggs Lesson: Eggstra! Eggstra! >>

The main purpose of a robin's life is to make more robins. Migration, territory, courtship, nest building, egg laying, incubation, and care of the young are all parts of the breeding cycle. These activities happen so robins can pass their genes on to new generations — and the cycle begins again.

Here's the story behind those little blue eggs and the natural instincts that let mom know what to do.

 

Photo Dorothy Edgington
Robin Nest Cam! Clips, Questions, Answers Lesson: Feeling Broody: The Tummy Solution >>

A classroom robin cam and our robin expert's guidance give you a bird's-eye view:

Lesson #1: Waiting Patiently. Watch a mother robin get in the nest, settle on her eggs and wiggle to get them next to her brood patch: >>

Lesson #2: New Babies! See the first baby to hatch, watch one of its first meals, and see how many brothers and sisters hatch out. >>

Lesson #3: Growing Babies! Feeding, growing, and getting crowded. >>

Lesson #4: Busting Out! Watch busy babies, napping babies, and fledging babies. >>

Lesson Overview, Science Standards >>

Mama robin settles on her eggs.
Journal: Welcome Home, Robins!  Lesson: The Scoop on Poop >>

Write the story of your backyard robin family! With the help of the Robin Phenology Checklist, you will know how to fill in these blanks:

We know the male has arrived when we hear him ____. The female comes later. She begins nest building __ or ___ days after arriving. The nest usually takes __ to __ days to build. She lays one egg a day for four days. Then she starts to incubate. She spends about ___ minutes of every hour warming the eggs. The young hatch about __ to __ days after the last egg is laid. Both parents feed ____ to the babies. The babies will be the size of their parents in ____ weeks. They will leave the nest, or "fledge," about ___ to __ days after the eggs hatch. When dad is feeding the fledglings, it's a safe guess that mom is ____________________.

Write your story in your Robin Migration Journal with a title that's your own. Add more sentences and your own drawings, too.

 

Photo Wayne Kryduba
This crowded nest is the nursery for 4 fast-growing babies. Baby robins are in their nest for about 13 days. They poop just about every time they gulp down some food. Let's see—that's 13 days x 4 babies x 356 insects and worms on average each day—that's a LOT of poop! How on earth do robins keep their nest clean? >>
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation?

With your help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. We need comments like yours to keep the program going and growing.

Thank you! >>

Year-end Evaluation
Links: Robin Resources to Explore Lesson: Keep Kitty Indoors >>
We offer this week's resources and a list of things to watch for this summer.
  • Photo Study: What's Unusual? >>
  • Read Nonfiction: Eggstra! Eggstra! The Story of Robin Eggs >>
  • Robin Nest Cam! Clips, Questions, Answers >>
  • Lesson: Feeling Broody: the Tummy Solution >>
  • Observation Checklist: Spring Phenology of Robins >>
  • Lesson: The Scoop on Poop: Disposable Diapers for Birds >>
  • Photo Series: Robin Nest Photo Study >>
  • Journey North for Kids: Robin's Nest Movie >>
  • Journey North for Kids: Growing Up >>
  • Summer Activities: Robin Watching and Journaling Suggestions >>
  • Instructions: Nest Boxes for Robins >>
  • Ecological Mystery Literature Link by Jean Craighead George: Who Really Killed Mr. Robin? >>
  
More Robin Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

A Data Only American Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 12, 2009, so you can find out if Anchorage, Alaska reporters welcomed back their robins!
A hearty thanks to all our citizen scientists who reported their robins and helped to track the 2009 journey north!

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