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Robin Migration Update: April 24, 2012 |
Please Report
Your Sightings! |
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Students in Shageluk, Alaska welcomed the first robins to reach the end of the migration trail! Nests make news in other places, as seen in our new photo gallery. Explore the nesting cycle. Who's doing all the work? Sort the chores of robin males and females, then decide which you'd rather be.
This Week's Update Includes:
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Image of the Week |
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Photo: Wayne Kryduba |
Building a Nursery |
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News: What's Happening Now & What to Watch For |
What's
Happening Now
Robins have reached the end of the migration trail! From our northernmost observation post in Shageluk, AK comes the happy news:
Dear Journey North,
We are SO EXCITED to be able to report our FIRST ROBIN was seen Friday, April 20, 2012! We have had nice warm temps (50s) the past two weeks despite the fact that we still have TWO FEET of snow and our lakes and rivers are still solidly frozen.
Although we haven't seen many Robins since then, we know they are here. People in Shageluk believe that some of the first birds are scouts for the other birds that come. I know the Robin we saw was sitting on the very top of a birch tree singing his heart out! That can only mean that he is saying, "I am here, Shageluk, this is where I live!"
We are so happy to have our Robins back! We are anxious for the snows to melt and happy for spring. We hope you are enjoying the weather where you are, too.
Joyanne Hamilton, Innoko River School, Shageluk, Alaska
Which Northern Observation Posts are still waiting?
Nesting activity is heating up. It's a thrill to find where birds are nesting, but observe from a safe distance and let the birds to their thing. It's amazing!
- At 44 degrees N in Barrie, ON: We have a nest! Two days ago, we observed a female with nesting material and carefully watched where she went with it. Today we peeked, and there is a beautiful nest under our neighbour's deck. No eggs yet.
- At 43 degrees N in Michigan: We have our first robin's egg. I have surveillance cameras up by the nest so we can watch the progress. Yesterday our mother Robin (we've named her Evelyn after my grandmother) laid her first egg.
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Explore: Robin Nesting Cycle |
Go Lay An Egg!
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—all are parts of the breeding cycle. These events happen so robins can pass their genes on to new generations. That's what robins are doing now!
Teaching Suggestion: Use the Gallery as photo prompts to showcase students' observation and descriptive writing skills.
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Concept Chart
What questions do you have about the nesting cycle of robins? Use this concept
chart to organize your questions about each stage of the cycle. Then take
our research challenge!
Research Challenge
In the same amount of time it takes for robins to collect twigs, construct
nests, and raise babies, how many facts can you collect about their nesting
cycle? As your backyard robins work to ensure a new generation, construct
a nonfiction selection by weaving together the facts you collected. Pass on
fascinating facts about the nesting cycle of robins by sharing your writing
project with others. Use the links below to get started:
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Images: Wayne Kryduba |
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Research: Compare Division of Labor |
Who do you think does more work in raising young, the robin male or the female? Which robin takes more risks, the male or the female? Which robin would you rather be: a male or female?
Create a venn diagram to compare the division of labor for robins to another species, such as whooping cranes or hummingbirds, as they incubate and raise their young.
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Latest Maps: Where Are Robins Now? |
The picture of migration 2012 is almost complete! These maps show where people have reported robins and earthworms. Patterns emerge as citizen scientists report their observations. Singing robins reveal the temperature patterns of North America as we hear reports of robins singing at higher latitudes and at higher elevations.
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Report Your Sightings! What, Where & How |
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The
First Robin You
See |
Robins
migrating in Waves
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The
First Robin You
Hear
Singing |
Your
first sighting of Earthworms |
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Annual
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.
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The next Robin migration update will be posted on May 1, 2012. |
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