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Signs of Spring Update: May 24, 2002
Today's Report Includes:
- Wandering Swallows: Migration Update
- Wondering about Swallows: Links to Lessons
- Challenge Question #31
- Baby Ducks and Loons: Discussion of Challenge Question #30
- Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
Wandering Swallows
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Sure enough, as soon as swallows return, they start nesting. They pick up chunks of muddy soil and mix it with grass stems to build the nest. They nest on many barns and garages, and some houses, so people who live near them often get very close views. And with Barn Swallows, any close view is sure to be a fun and lovely one.
Wondering about Swallows
Swallows are fascinating birds. These daily marathoners fly about 600 miles every day, even when they're not migrating, just swooping here and there to pick up insects. Their quick and delicate flights, beautiful forked tails, and interesting habits always seem to get people wondering about swallows. People have been asking us lots of questions this spring. Here are a few Q's and A's, with some fun lessons to help you discover more:
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A. Sadly, most Barn Swallows die before their first birthday. But the ones who figure out how to get enough food on their own, successfully follow their parents south for the winter and return in spring, and survive one whole nesting cycle increase their life expectancy enormously. The oldest banded Barn Swallow to be recaptured or found dead had lived to be 8 years and 1 month. Some Barn Swallows live to be even older.
Q. Where did swallows nest before people made buildings and bridges?
A. Barn Swallows didn't used to be as common as they are now, back when they
nested in caves. How did the lives of swallows change because of human activities
lik building sheltser, homes, and barns, and irrigating fields? To learn more about
the earliest swallows and take our research challenge:
Q. I have "mud swallows." What's the difference between them and
Barn Swallows?
A. Two different species of swallows build mud nests on buildings and bridges:
the Barn Swallow and the Cliff Swallow. To learn how to tell them apart with our
fun comparison activity, see:
Now that we've answered your questions, we have a question for you!
Challenge Question #31:
"If a Barn Swallow lived for 8 years and flew 600 miles every day during that time, how far would it have flown during its lifetime?
(To respond
to these questions, please follow the instructions below.)
Baby Ducks and Loons: Discussion of Challenge Question #30
Last time we asked, "Why must ducks raise so many more eggs than loons to have a stable population?"
On average, many more bad things happen to baby ducks than to baby loons. Loons nest right next to the water, so the babies do not need to cross much land to get to the water. Baby ducks risk being eaten by land predators and dogs and cats, getting hit by cars, and simply becoming lost on their journey between the nest and the water.
Once they reach the water, baby ducks spend more time in shallow water where turtles lurk. And they are cared for by only one parent. Both loons take care of their babies. Also, loon parents are better at fighting off danger than ducks are.
Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
Please take a few minutes to share your suggestions and comments in our Year-End Evaluation Form below. The information you provide at the end of each year is the single most important tool used to guide our planning.
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Journey North |
How to Respond to Today's Challenge Question:
IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.
1. Address an E-mail message to: jn-challenge-spring@learner.org
2. IMPORTANT: In the Subject Line of your message write:
Challenge Question #31
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to the question above.
The FINAL Signs of Spring Update Will be Posted on May 31, 2002
Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form
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