American Robin
  
Migration Update: February 16, 2010
Please Report
Your Sightings!

As record-breaking blizzards hit eastern and southern regions, reports of migrating robins flew across our maps. Snow and cold temperatures had people concerned: What do hungry robins eat in the winter and how can we help them? Find out what our observers discovered—and learn all about the robin's winter diet.

This Week's Report Includes:

 

 Image of the Week

What can you feed a hungry robin?

Photo: Vincent Hevern

 
The Migration: What's Happening Now & What to Watch For

What's Happening Now
Robins are nomadic during the winter months. They wander in response to food supplies and harsh weather. Most robins travel in flocks. Each time a new snowstorm hit during the past two weeks, people reported waves of robins—tens, hundreds, even thousands of robins—on the move. Robins are a migratory species, but their migration is not a simple southward shift. This is why changes in our migration maps seem haphazard at this time of year.

What to Watch For
Watch for a shift in the robins' behavior as temperatures warm and the breeding season approaches. Males will sing when they arrive on their breeding grounds and become territorial.

  • When and where do you predict robins will start to sing first?

WAVES of Robins
(Map/List)
 


Map Questions

Focus: What Do Robins Eat in the Wintertime?

Read Discoveries Made by Citizen Scientists
Over 165 people reported large waves of robins during the past two weeks. Many people saw what the robins were eating. Based on their actual observations, you can find out what robins eat at this time of year. Go on a scavenger hunt and see if you can find the robin's favorite foods. What were people surprised to discover?

1. Collect the facts in these observation reports from citizen scientists.

Learn More in This Week's Slideshow
For robins, food is even more important than shelter in the wintertime. Find out where robins find the food they need and how cold temperatures affect them:

2. Learn more by reading the slideshow, What Do Robins Eat in the Wintertime?

Research Question and Links: Explore!

This Week's Research Question: Can you think of a question for our robin expert that has never been asked before?

Other links to explore:

Please Report Your Sightings!
The First Robin You
See

Robins migrating in Waves
The First Robin You
Hear Singing

Your first sighting of Earthworms


Wayne Kruyduba
More Robin Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 2, 2010.

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