End of the Migration Trail

First Arrivals in Alaska

On May 8th, our northernmost observation post in Shageluk, Alaska — at 63°N latitude — reported the arrival of first robins. Their average sighting date for first arrivals is around April 27th.

“We heard our first Gonandadoy (American Robin) the evening of May 8 and then again this morning, May 9. People are commenting how late they are this year. Elders are saying that it might be due to the late wintery storms in mid-Canada and the mid-west of the USA. Canadian Geese, various ducks, various snipes (Great Yellow-legs) and a few Tree Swallows even have been seen in the last few days.

Just two days from our first HEARING and we have already seen and heard many! The interesting thing about this is robin migration seems to be it’s happening so fast now that they showed up. Our first SEEN and first WAVE seem to be one in the same. I heard many Yellow-rumped Warblers this morning as well as Blackpoll Warblers Varied Thrush, snipes that I cannot identify and both Tree and Bank Swallows. Spring is all of a sudden BURSTING!

I have to thank Journey North for featuring our sightings since the mid-1990s. Being featured has also made my students more aware to watch for certain birds, to notice things that are changing in the environment, to keep records of things that you notice and experience. As citizen scientists we are all part of this great world. The sightings of birds and other migratory animals has always been a treasured experience indicating the change of seasons and the ebb and flow of life. Thanks again to the scientists of Journey North and the years of dedication,” wrote Joyanne Hamilton from Shageluk, Alaska on May 9, 2018.

Keep Watching and Reporting

Thank you citizen scientists for your observations and photos that helped us track spring’s journey north. Get set for a summer of robin-watching! Please continue to report nesting behaviors to our map.