Journey North: Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

Early Alaska Sighting Raises Questions
Should it Stay on the Map?

News Flash! Early Rufous Hummingbird Reported in Alaska!

Click for larger map

On March 21, an observer from Juneau, Alaska, reported seeing two hummingbirds on her way to work two days in a row.

That surprised us! It seemed too early to see hummingbirds in Alaska. In fact, it could be a real record-breaker.

How will we decide if the report is accurate and belongs on the map? And what could explain this unusual behavior? We'll need your help! Let's think like scientists.

1. What would help you decide if the sighting was accurate?

Brainstorm a list of things you'd like to know to help you decide if the observer really did see a hummingbird (and if it was a rufous hummer).

2. Consider the observation.

Read the observer's report.

As you read through, look for clues. Highlight or underline words or phrases that make you think the observer might or might not have really seen a hummingbird.

Complete this Questions About the Observation page. Add any other questions you'd like to ask Linda.

3. Consider the likelihood of such a sighting.

See what some bird experts think.

Do some detective work! Explore one or more of these: Questions About the Bigger Picture.

4. Organize your evidence and share your advice!

Fill in the Weighing the Evidence chart.

Next, tell us what you think we should do with the report.
a.) Keep the report on the map.
b.) Remove the report.
c.) Do something else.
Explain why you made the choice you did. Contact Journey North.

Digging Deeper: More tools for Making Sense of Unusual Findings.

News Flash! Early Rufous Hummingbird Reported in Alaska!
Click for larger map	On March 21, an observer from Juneau, Alaska, reported seeing two hummingbirds on her way to work two days in a row. That surprised us! It seemed too early to see hummingbirds in Alaska. In fact, it could be a real record-breaker. How will we decide if the report is accurate and belongs on the map? And what could explain this unusual behavior? We'll need your help! Let's think like scientists.
1. What would help you decide if the sighting was accurate?
Brainstorm a list of things you'd like to know to help you decide if the observer really did see a hummingbird (and if it was a rufous hummer).
2. Consider the observation.
Read the observer's report. As you read through, look for clues. Highlight or underline words or phrases that make you think the observer might or might not have really seen a hummingbird. Complete this Questions About the Observation page. Add any other questions you'd like to ask Linda.
3. Consider the likelihood of such a sighting.
See what some bird experts think. Do some detective work! Explore one or more of these: Questions About the Bigger Picture.
4. Organize your evidence and share your advice!
Fill in the Weighing the Evidence chart. Next, tell us what you think we should do with the report. a.) Keep the report on the map. b.) Remove the report. c.) Do something else. Explain why you made the choice you did. Contact Journey North.
Digging Deeper: More tools for Making Sense of Unusual Findings.