American Robin Migration Update: April 25, 2006 Today's Report Includes: This Week's Migration Maps and Data Latest Migration News Who's Still Waiting? NEW! Robins On a Mission Nest Numbers: Challenge Question #7 Go Lay An Egg: Discussion of Challenge Question #6 You're the Expert: One Egg, Two Eggs. Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! American Robin Migration Maps and Data First Robins Seen Waves of Robins First Robins Heard Singing* (map) (map) (map) (data) *Recommended for mapping Latest Migration News This week's maps have few new sightings, and robins are clearly nearing the end of the migration trail. However, some robins are still underway, migrating to North America's far north to breed. Because few people live in the most remote regions, we have found willing volunteers-our Northern Observation Posts (NOPs)--to watch for the arrivals there. Each week, the suspense grows! In the northern limits of Robin range, which NOP will see and hear the next robin? News from the Northern Observation Posts: Who's Still Waiting? "Ducks? Yes. Cranes? Yes. How about Varied Thrushes? Yes. Robins? Not yet," reports Stan White in Homer, Alaska. But in Anchorage, NOP Mike Sterling is celebrating the first robin! "Just this morning I stepped out of my garage, mounted my commuter bike, and said, 'Today will be the day that I hear my first robin.' I was right. I heard it in the woods along the bird sanctuary that borders a portion of my commute. There is still snow on the path, and the loud crunching of it beneath my tires almost covered it up. The unmistakable sounds of a newly-arrived robin could be heard once I stopped my bike! Yahoo! And we saw gulls, geese, and ducks all this week as they landed on the playground and soared over the lake behind the school." Mike Sterling, April 19, 2006 And waaaaaay up in Shageluk, Alaska, our Early Bird Contest Hosts also HEARD their first robin! Teacher Joyanne Hamilton reported: "Nice timing to hear our first Robin: Earth Day! We haven't seen any yet, but the Canadian Geese, Tundra Swans and misc. Ducks have started coming in and can be heard all over since last week. I suspect we should see our first Robin, soon, although temps are still dropping below freezing every morning." Students in far-north Shageluk, Alaska tell you what they like best about spring! How many NOPs are still waiting to see their first robin? This week's field notes are full of fascinating news, such as two straight days of snowfall. It's time for you to make or revise your final predictions for first robins at the NOPS! Latest News from the NOPs Make YOUR Predictions! >> Please keep watching and reporting. The story of this year's spring migration all the way to the end of the trail is almost complete! NEW! Robins on a Mission "Robins are feasting on big fat worms, fighting to get them out of the ground. I saw Papa Robin with what looks like twigs today," reports Dominique from our Quebec NOP. In British Columbia, Linda reports nest building activity, especially in the mornings. "They like to gather huge beakfuls of leftover garden material." Our flock of brand new robin photos shows a springtime robin on a special mission. Is it the same mission as the robins above? Click the arrows of our new photo slide show to see. Remember to click on the links that invite you to "Learn More" so you can prepare your answer to this week's Challenge Question. The fun starts on this page: A Robin's Spring Mission Then come back and answer. . . Nest Numbers Challenge Question #7: "If a lucky robin lives for 12 years and builds nests each summer except her first, how many nests would she build in her lifetime? What 3 things make her old nest unsafe for babies?" To respond to this question, please follow these instructions. Go Lay An Egg: Discussion of Challenge Question #6 On April 11 we asked: "If we estimate a 2-week delay for every 5 degrees north in latitude, and we assume robins in Middlesboro, Kentucky (36.6 N, -83.7W) are now beginning to lay eggs, when would you expect robins in White Bear Lake, Minnesota (45.0 N,-93.0W) to begin laying their eggs?" "Our homeschool group calculated that the robins in White Bear Lake should be laying eggs around April 29," calculated Chris, Lindsey, Micah, Anna, Lilly, Melanie, Hannah, Lauren, Nicole, and Jared. Well done! The students subtracted to find the difference in latitude between the two locations: 8.4 degrees. For the first five degrees, a two-week delay from April 11 would bring us to April 25. The remaining 3.4 degrees of latitude would probably add just over another week, so their answer is close and their reasoning is right. We'd give those robin eggs a few more days, perhaps until around May 3. But these are only estimates. What factors might affect the "2-week delay for every 5 degrees north in latitude?" You're the Expert: One Egg, Two Eggs. . . On April 23, a worried Wisconsin reader wrote: "Below my balcony, I have noticed a new Robin's nest in the tree. Is it typical for the female to lay eggs and keep them unguarded? Or am I disturbing their comfort and safety by observing them from such a close distance? I noticed one egg yesterday, and now a second has been laid, but still no Robins guarding the nest." Imagine you are the expert. What would you tell this observer? If you read our new booklet in the April 11 report, you found an answer for this observer's question. Look again>> Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! Please take a few minutes to share your suggestions and comments in our Year-End Evaluation. The information you provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. Also, as a free program supported by a generous grant from Annenberg Media, we want to be able to document Journey North's reach, impact and value. THANK YOU! Journey North Year End Evaluation Please share your thoughts! The FINAL Robin Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 9, 2006. Copyright 1997- 2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form.