In the past week a dozen "first" spring robins were sighted! Thanks to all who sent reports. For those of us who have not yet seen this welcome sign of spring, it's encouraging to know that the robins are on the way. Along with this week's sightings we've included some suggestions below to help you design your robin migration map.
Remember to report the FIRST robin you see this spring to: jn_robin@informns.k12.mn.us
Make note of the weather conditions and wind direction when you spot your first robin. You may notice that they arrive with a strong south wind. (Please include observations such as this in your report!)
MIGRATION REPORTS:
February 27, 1995 Ludlow, MASSACHUSETTS 5 robins sighted on 2/27/95 in Ludlow, Massachusetts Chicopee High School Lat.42 - Long 43 VUMK81A@prodigy.com
February 28, 1995 Blue Rapids, KANSAS
Robins were spotted in our area on February 26. The temperature was 41 degrees. We live in Blue Rapids, Kansas. The map reading for this town is Lat. 39.66 N and Long 96.66 W. But today it is 28 degrees out with snow! Jenell Pope, Valley Heights High School, VALHS1LB@INK.ORG
March 3, 1995 Jacksonville, ILLINOIS
A robin was sighted in Jacksonville, Illinois (38.48 N, 90.14 W) on March 3, 1995. Rose O'Shana, Jefferson Elementary School ISBE@horace.psinet.org
March 4, 1995 Ashland, OHIO
We saw four robins on the campus Saturday, March 4. Dr. Hughes's Science Methods Class, Ashland University/Ashland, Ohio whughes@ashland.edu
March 4, 1995 Oakville, ONTARIO
Yesterday, while sitting at my computer looking at some of the wonderful information flowing from Journey North, I heard a bird that immediately caught my attention! It was the first robin I'd heard this year. I went out the front door and there it was, directly above me in an ash tree. Two children walking along the street remarked that it was the first one they had seen too! The bird was sighted in Oakville, Ontario, Canada on March 4. Oakville is on the shores of Lake Ontario, near the Niagara Peninsula, a migration route from the USA. (43 degrees 30 min. N, 79 degrees 45 min.W). My school is about 15 km NW of here, so it may be the beginning of the week before we see them there too! Rod Murray, Science Teacher, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada doplhiss@village.ca
March 4, 1995 Annapolis, MARYLAND
My sixth graders have not yet seen a robin in the city of Washington, D.C. but there were more than a hundred at my home on the Chesapeake Bay yesterday, March 5. The "global address" there is 39deg..7 min. N and 76 deg., 26 min. W. Kathy Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, E7U4ISA@TOE.TOWSON.EDU
March 4, 1995 Long Island, NEW YORK
Hello from Long Island! We've been following the Journeys North for all the migrating animals, and have been waiting for one of those migrations to finally reach us here. We're pleased to report that we saw 3 robins along the Northern State Parkway yesterday on our way in to Nassau county from Suffolk. Although I haven't ever kept actual records on when I've seen the first robins here, it seems to me that this is one of the earliest sightings. Hope this is of help to the schools who are following them, and we will report back to you when we see the Monarch butterflies. Unfortunately, we do not own a boat, so we can't be of help in following the whales.... Sue Josenhans and Anthony Lang, Smithtown, Long Isand, New York Oops3@aol.com
March 4, 1995 Rochester, NEW YORK
Hello from Fyle Elementary School! We think the robins are a bit confused here in Rochester. Over the weekend, several students have spotted robins, so we would like to add our data to your list!
1. Cailin Watt saw a robin on Saturday, March 4th.
2. Alexis Johnson saw a robin in her yard on Sunday, March 5th, 1995
3. Derrick Ciancio also saw a robin at a local park on March 4, 1995.
4. I (Mrs. Gail Petri, Librarian) saw several robins in a brushy, wild area. There were lots of bushes with old crabapples and rose hips on them. We wondered if they were finding food there! By the way, Rochester, NY is located at 43.10N; 77.36W. Happy Robin Hunting! fylelib@transit.nyser.net
March 5, 1995 Millstone, NEW YORK
Mrs. Berger saw two robins on Sunday, March 5, in Millstone, in Somerset County, New Jersey. The temperature was 45 deg.F. Can you locate this town on your map and then compare it with the other sightings and determine if there is a definite path to the robin sightings? Is there a pattern of temperature readings? Mrs. B erger's class, K12ROBZJ@vaxd.hofstra.edu
March 6, 1995 St. Paul, MINNESOTA
First robins sighted! Student saw one in his yard around 4 p. m. Teacher saw one robin at school's front door around 4:30 p. m. Both observations made on Monday, March 6, 1995, right after a 1 foot snowfall. 45degrees N. Lat. and 93 degrees W. Long. E. D. Williams School, Shoreview, Minnesota (suburb of St. Paul) 0623ewel@InforMNs.k12.MN.US
March 6, 1995 Elmont, NEW YORK
Hi! My name is Matthew Burch. I saw a Robin at my house in Elmont, NY, on March sixth, 1995 at about 5:45 PM. The weather was mild and damp. My global address is 41 north latitude and, 73 40 west longitude. Ms. Babcock's class, Alden Terrace School. k12elbac@vaxc.hofstra.edu
March 8, 1995 Madison, WISCONSIN
I heard a small flock of robins at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum in Madison Wednesday. I am taking an ornithology class, and we were on a field trip that icy morning when we heard the robins' spring-like call. My instructor said they have been over-wintering this year and some years in the past. I was surprised to learn that any robins stay for the winter this far north. Hearing the news of robins from Valders Wisconsin makes it even more interesting! Thanks to all for the interesting migration information :) Hedi Baxter, Senior, Biology and Earth Science/ Entomology University of Wisconsin, Cabnfevr2@aol.com
MAPPING ROBIN MIGRATION
Equipment Needed: 1) Wall map and road atlas of the U.S. and Canada.
2) Small, self-adhesive colored labels. (Avery's 1/4'' round, "Color Coding Labels" are recommended.)
Mark the migration sightings on your map by designating one color per 2 week period. For example, all sightings up to March 1st could be marked in green. (These could be considered "wintering" robins.) Sightings from March 1st to March 15 could be marked in red, March 16-March 31 in green, and so forth. Make a key to indicate the color and time scales you've chosen.
If you have questions about the climate in the regions where these sightings occurred, remember that you can use the E-mail address provided to contact students who have sent reports.
Copyright 1995, Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Journey North 125 North First Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Phone: (612)339-6959