|
American Robin Migration Update:
March 29, 2005
American Robin Migration Maps and Data
“Woooo Hoooo!
The Robins are back!” exclaimed a joyful
observer in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Indeed, the first full week of spring
brought many reports of first robins, waves of robins, and singing
robins. Can you see a clear migration pattern on the maps? Robins
have moved and started singing a little farther north and a little
farther inland, but we're still eagerly waiting for the big push
north. Robins, Temperatures, and Tulips: Challenge Question #6 We were struck this week to see how similar two of our maps are; tulips are emerging and robins are singing in the same regions of North America. Then we took a look at the temperatures for this part of the continent.
Tulips need a temperature of at least 40 degrees for several days in a row in order to grow. And what about robins? Many of you have been testing a temperature theory (the 36-degree isotherm) about robins and spring migration. So, here’s your challenge:
Preen and Clean: Video Clip Observation Activity In raw winter weather, or hot, dry summers, people often use skin lotion to help keep their skin soft and moisturized. Birds face the same challenges. For example, migration is the time to have feathers in tip-top flight condition. How do robins care for their feathers? Look at our video clips and you'll see! Journey North’s robin expert, Laura Erickson, tells you what to watch for and what it means. Why do birds preen only when they are relaxed and in a safe place? Teacher Tip: Observations Lead to Questions/Cultivating Keen Observers
"This is the first time this year I have heard a robin singing in my backyard," wrote an observer from Reston VA on March 23. "It was a cold, dreary day that was otherwise brightened by the cheerful strains of my red-breasted friend! Hope to hear much more from him in the coming weeks!” What do you suppose robins will be doing in coming weeks? This photo is a clue. What do you see in this picture? What do you assume is going on? What questions do you have? For a closer look, and to find out what WE think, see: Robins will be doing many more things worth watching for in the coming days and weeks. Download and print this list and post it in a handy place. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch the excitement in your own backyard!
“We recently discovered that a robin had built a nest in my daughter's 'fort' portion of her swing set. My husband looked a couple days ago and there was one egg in the nest. He removed the slide and the steps so that children will stay out of the 'fort' but the problem is we are moving in three weeks and the swing set will have to be dismantled and moved with us. What can we do? According to what I've learned by reading some of your information, the egg(s) will hatch by this time but it will still be too early for the baby birds to be out of the nest. Is there any way we can relocate this nest? Please help.” How would YOU answer this reader’s question? What facts might you need to know before you can answer? Do some research and draft your answer. Then see what our expert has to say:
The reader’s question above probably got you thining about the nests that will soon appear. (Their first nests might be in evergreen trees, because evergreens offer shelter and hiding before the leaves on the other trees appear.) In most places in the US and southern Canada, robins nest three or even four times a season. Even in the northern parts of their range, robins usually nest at least twice. That makes us wonder:
Tracking Temps and Robins: This Week’s Isotherm Map We’ve invited you to test the theory that robins follow the 36- or 37-degree isotherm during migration. (The isotherm is an imaginary line that connects places having the same AVERAGE temps.) On March 23, we heard from observers in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada: “We have been waiting for the 2 degree isotherm in anticipation of sighting our first robin. The robins didn't wait for warmer temperatures. They showed up on a day when the temperatures were around 0 degrees Celsius, though very sunny. Our night temperatures are as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius. Those robins are tough critters. We are glad to see them in our neighbourhood.” So, how’s the theory holding up in YOUR region? Has the 37-degree isotherm moved in the past week?
Average
Temperature in United States: Weeks ending March 19 and
March 26, 2005.
News From the Northern Observation Posts (NOPs) It sounds like winter came back to much of the north, from many of the latest NOP reports. But it hasn’t stopped robins in a few of the NOPS. Find out the latest news, and revisit (or make) your predictions for first robins in the NOPs, see:
Last time we asked you to read our interview with a robin bander in order to answer this question: “What clues do bird banders use to tell the age of robins? Why is a robin’s age of interest to scientists?” Justin did his homework and sent the right answer: “Robins are aged by the color of their feathers and beaks.” Bryan had thoughts about why scientists would be interested in a robin’s age: “My guess is that older birds might not make it as far as the younger ones on the annual migration. Maybe they want to find out where the "oldtimers" stop for the year.” What do YOU think? Watch to see if you can tell how old your backyard robins are! Remember, our robin bander also told you this:
How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
1. Address
an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-robin@learner.org Copyright
2003-2005 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
