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Bald and Golden Eagle Migration Update: March 26, 2003
Today's Report Includes:
- Field Notes from Biologist Peter Nye
- A00 Captured in the Nick of Time
- Challenge Question #11: How Far and Fast Did He Fly?
- Eagle Time, Local Time and Greenwhich Mean Time
- Challenge Question #12: What Time Did A00 Travel?
- Related Links: World Clocks & Sunrise, Sunset
- Answers from the Bald Eagle Expert
- Challenge Question #13: Niche of the Eagle’s Favorite Fish?
Field Notes from Biologist Peter Nye
Hi Kids,
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Eagle E49 is definitely on the move! It looks like she started about March 16, the exact date as last spring. I haven't looked yet, but I wonder if she is following the same path she took north last year.
- See last spring’s map in the Journey North Migration Map Archives
- Link to Latest Data:
Despite the fact that we have had a week or more now of 50 degree temperatures, most of the birds, such as E50, seem to still be lingering...And it’s not a surprise that our golden eagle A20 has not moved yet, as it didn't head north until mid-April last year!
I'm very interested in E63, who has been wintering way down in the north end of the Chesapeake Bay. This eagle has apparently not yet begun to move although in past years, it headed north much earlier. I hope nothing is wrong with it! Our last fix was on March 18, and he was still down there. I received no usable fixes for him with the latest data of March 21.
Eagleye Nye
A00 Captured in the Nick of Time
"He's off!! Gods speed A00!" wrote Pete on March 19, just 8 days after A00's capture. That day, the satellite caught A00 while he was actually migrating. (Remember, the transmitter only sends signals every few days, and sometimes at night, so this was a lucky event.) The first two readings were 1 hour and 37 minutes apart. This means you can use the March 19 data to answer this question:
Challenge Question #11:
"How far did Golden Eagle A00 move in the 1 hour and 37 minutes between his first two readings on March 19? On average, how many miles per hour did he travel?"
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)
Eagle Time, Local Time and Greenwhich Mean Time
The satellite gives times to scientists according to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). GMT is an international time-keeping standard. It is based on the local time in Greenwich, England. Greenwich Mean Time is also called Universal Time (UT).
When measuring time with GMT or UT, it's the same time everywhere on earth! That's why it's considered "universal time."
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GMT was invented to avoid the confusion that using "local" or "solar time" causes when referring to events that are taking place in different time zones.
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Time is Meaningless to a Satellite |
So what time WAS it when A00 was migrating, local time? After all, local time DOES matter to an eagle whose behavior is regulated by earth's day/night cycles. Because Nye’s eagles are in the Eastern Time Zone, they are 5 time zones to the west of Greenwich, England. This means that local time for our eagles is 5 hours EARLIER than Greenwich Mean Time. Give it a try!
Challenge Question #12:
“Golden Eagle A00’s first reading on March 19 was at 15:02 GMT, the second was at 16:39 GMT. What time was the eagle migrating (local time)? Give the two times the satellite caught A00 while his trip was underway.”
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)
Related Links: World Clocks & Sunrise, Sunset
World Clocks
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Time zones can be difficult to visualize and understand. With the help of a few inexpensive clocks, this activity helps students compare and contrast what is going on right now in different times zones around the world.
Does The Sun Really "Rise" and "Set"?
What brings the sun's light to your town each morning, and brings darkness
each night? These sample images of Earth taken from space show the location
of sun's light at various times.
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Answers from the Bald Eagle Expert
Special thanks to Peter Nye for responding to students' questions again this year! We hope you'll find the information of interest.
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One student asked, "What specific type of fish do Bald Eagles prefer?" Peter Nye’s answer made us think:
Challenge Question #13:
“Explain what Peter Nye means when he says, "The species involved are not as important as the niche they occupy.' In your answer define the term 'niche'."
How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-eagle@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #11 (#12
or #13).
3. In the body of EACH message, answer ONE of the questions above.
The
Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 4, 2003
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Rights Reserved.
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