American Robin
  
Migration Update: March 23, 2010
Please Report
Your Sightings!

The migration clearly crossed into Canada this week. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, robins were welcomed warmly as they reached their summer homes. It's worm hunting season now and people often watch with wonder: How do robins find earthworms? What senses do they use?

This Week's Report Includes:

Image of the Week

How do robins find earthworms?

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

What's Happening Now
Robins are crossing into Canada! Of the 67 sightings reported during the past week, half were north of the U.S. border. Canada has 13 provinces and territories. Can you name the seven that have reported robins so far? (See Journal Page.) Among the provinces reporting robins were Alberta and Nova Scotia:

"Today is the first day of spring! This morning I saw 8 robins fighting over the last of the crab apples left on the tree in the yard," wrote Gina from Nova Scotia.

"On my way to school I stopped to hear fobin announcing the arrival of spring!" a student named Alex announced from Alberta.

Meanwhile, a late season snowstorm struck as far south as Texas. Hearty robins can handle the brief return of winter, however, as this Oklahoma teacher noted: "This past weekend we had 8-10 inches of snow. A wave of a hundred of robins landed and stayed in my holly trees for about 3 hours!"

What to Watch For
Female robins: Females arrive after the males, by days or even weeks. Watch for the first females to appear in your backyard. You can tell them by their dull-colored feathers.

Signs of nesting: Has anyone seen a robin flying with nesting materials? Or a female robin with muddy feathers? These are signs that robins have begun to build their nest and are planning to raise their family in your neighborhood. See the Robin Checklist for Spring Observations so you know what to watch for.


Checklist for Spring Robin Observations

FIRST Robins
(Map/List)

This Week's Featured Map


Map Questions

Explore: What Senses Do Robins Use to Find Worms?

An ornithologist named Dr. Frank Heppner wanted to know how robins located earthworms. He set up experiments, knowing he would need to investigate all the robin's senses. Before reading about his experiments, take a peek at the materials Dr. Heppner used and think about how he used each item to investigate robin senses.

How could you test?
Is the robin looking, listening, feeling, smelling — or tasting?
Research Question and Links: Explore!
This Week's Research Question: Other links to explore:

How do a robin's senses compare to our own?

Explore this link to do your research:

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 30, 2010.

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