Busy Birdbath

March, the month of peak robin migration, is just around the corner, and winter's last gasps are slowing migration. Will March come in like a lion? Your sightings will help tell the story of the robin migration for spring 2013.

What's Happening Now
The average latitude for robin "first" reports for the past week is 39.12N. That's an increase of almost a whole degree—or almost a 69-mile shift—north from the previous week's average. Reports of robin "waves" showed a big drop in the past week, with a decrease from 59 to 29 reports. Here's a sample of observers' recent reports:

• Florida: "Robins are still around but the overall numbers seem to be declining. I don't think they are quite ready: No singing ye,t but I see 'infighting' at water baths!"

• Florida: "After a very long stay this year (several weeks as opposed to one visit for 2-3 days), the daily visits of groups of 100 or more robins appear to have ended."

• Michigan: "This is the first migration wave we have ever seen. We had about 300 Robins in all our trees, many eating berries from the trees as well as the top of the snow on the ground. We have a creek in our back yard which is not frozen so they were able to drink from there."

What to Watch For
Share this checklist with your family, friends, and neighbors near and far. Ask everyone to observe, and remember to report what you're seeing!

• Checklist for Spring Robin Observations

• Photos of Robins to Spark Curiosity

• Submit your questions starting Friday, March 1!

These maps show where people reported earthworms and robins. Patterns emerge as citizen scientists report their observations. A Connecticut observer exclaimed: "We were driving to the flower show and eight robins were flying across the parkway to puddles— gotta be WORMS!" 

First See (map/list)	Waves (map/list)	Singing (map/list)	Earthworms (map/list)

Your first sighting of Earthworms