Uriah McKinney, Macalester College

Robin Migration Update: March 11, 1997

• Click Here for Today's Robin Migration Data.

In last week's report we asked Challenge Question #5, "What differences do you see between the Journey North data and the range map? How many reasons can you name that might explain these differences?"

Students from Friends Academy in Alberta provided this excellent summary:

"We think that the weather has been warmer this winter and some of the robins have migrated earlier or maybe stayed around for the winter especially in some of the areas further north of us like in MN and Canada. Students also noticed that the bird books that they were using for the range maps were pretty old. They were Golden Eye books published in l949 and l956. The migratory patterns could have changed since then. They also thought that the changes in the ozone layer may have also have affected the migratory patterns and the range map." MaryAlice Kolodner (maryalice_kolodner@fa.org)

How to Report Your Robin Sighting
We're waiting to hear from you! When you see your FIRST robin this spring report to Journey North by pressing the Owl Button on the left.

Just Think!
There's a robin out there that calls your back yard home. If it hasn't arrived yet, it's probably on its way right now. Each migrating robin has a very specific destination in mind. They aren't just flying randomly. Julie Brophy's robin returned to her yard this very morning!

"I hearing the first robin singing on territory at sunrise this morning! With our still-frozen ground and few wild fruits in our area available, I was reminded of the foods that students can put out for these early migrants:

• Chopped apples
• Raisins
• Blueberries
• White bread
• Meal worms

Announcing the 1997 Early Bird Contest
Once again this spring, students at Sand Lake School in Anchorage, Alaska will officiate our annual Early Bird Contest. In this contest, we challenge you to predict when the first robins will be seen in Anchorage. To enter the contest, simply answer this question:

Challenge Question # 6
"When do you think the first robin will be spotted in Anchorage, Alaska? Do you think it will arrive with the 36 degree isotherm?"

To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.

Here is an introduction from Sand Lake School:

"Winter continues here in the North for much longer than students in the 'lower-48' might imagine. As I write this, we still have a couple of feet of snow on the ground, and projected temperatures in the sub-zero range for next week (our 'spring' break). Nevertheless, we love this time of year because the increasing daylight turns our world into a winter wonderland!

"There are so many things to do up here when the snow is still good that we decided to produce a web page advertising the Anchorage area as a wonderful winter destination (unless you are a robin, of course!) If you want to know what it is really like in Alaska at this time of year--

• Click Here to Visit Sand Lake School.

"You'll be able to view stories and pictures of the kinds of things we do to occupy our time! If you speak Japanese, keep our web address handy, because we will be publishing it in Japanese by June!

"By the way: There have been no robin sightings yet. Check the weather connection on our page under 'Anchorage Weather' for information that might help you decide when they'll get here!

Mike Sterling & Class
Anchorage, Alaska

Try This!
Test whether this weather theory holds true for robins where you live:

"It will snow 3-4 times after the first robins return in the spring"

Jessica Francini of Griswold Middle School in Rocky Hill, CT is off to a good start. She saw her first robin yesterday, March 10th. "At 9:00a.m. I saw a robin while I was waiting for the school bus. It was unusual because there was a snow storm today."(bluegms@aol.com)

By the way, have you wondered how to tell migrating robins from over-wintering robins--or from the robins that have come to stay? Watch their behavior carefully and listen. Unlike wintering robins, migrating robins are much more vocal and noisy. They move in groups--sometimes in the hundreds--and call to each other in order to maintain the flock. These flocking calls sound quite different from the robin's territorial song. A robin on territory sings for the world to hear. In contrast, flocking robins almost sound as if they're singing to themselves--as if muttering the notes softly under their breath.

How to Respond to Journey North Robin Challenge Question # 6

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-robin@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 6
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:

Challenge Question # 6
"When do you think the first robin will be spotted in Anchorage, Alaska? Do you think it will arrive with the 36 degree isotherm?"

Don't Forget!
Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.

The Next Robin Update Will be Posted on March 18, 1997.