Journey
North News: Spring 2010
Posted
Wednesdays:
Feb. 3, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17,
24, 31, Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9 |
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FINAL
Hummingbird Migration Update: June 9, 2010
Fewer hummers at your feeder these days? Are these travelers really
gone, or is something else at work? What do you think? Read what
3 experts think. Watch this season's hummingbird migration maps
in action. What big ideas can you learn from them? Our expert
shares his thoughts about the little migrants that reach the northern-most
part of the breeding grounds. A BIG thank you for your part in
helping track hummers this spring! Photo:
Ed Robertson
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: June 2, 2010
Celebrate the story of Sweet Pea in this week's slideshow. Find
out about banding little hummers and what we can learn from this
technique. How will the Gulf of Mexico oil spill affect the migration?
And share your thoughts about the little migrants that reach the
northern-most part of the breeding grounds.
Photo:
Ed Robertson
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 26, 2010
More and more of you are reporting your first sighting of the
year (FOY). Study the progress of both our species the past 6
weeks, then describe the migration patterns. This week's slideshow
gives you a look at how the hummers prepare for the long journey
back to their wintering grounds. Two videos of a hen hummer feeding
her chicks help us celebrate a new generation of hummingbirds.
Photo: Michael Berry |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 19, 2010
The ruby-throated hummingbird sightings continue to pour in and
both species are filling up the map. Be sure to check it out.
This week's slideshow takes you into a nest where the birds are
ready to fledge. What does a hummingbird look like? Check out
the new art gallery of hummer portraits created by grade 3 students
in Decatur, Georgia. |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 12, 2010
Why are my hummingbirds late? That was the question people asked
as cold temperatures swept across the north during the past week.
Take a look into a hummingbird nest this week. A photographer
shares the day-to-day images of tiny eggs and miniature babies.
Photo: Dorothy Edgington |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May
5, 2010
Good flying weather sent lots of rubythroats north this past week.
Hummer expert, Lanny Chambers reports his first rubythroat 10
days later than average. He tells us his theory about this year's
migration pattern. Learn about a vagrant sighting of a rufous
in Maine. Play with words to describe baby hummers in the nest.
Teachers find some clues for year end assessments.
Photo: Dorothy Edgington |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update:
April 28, 2010
Rufous hummingbirds are on the move into western Montana this
week. One rufous even has a name; he's called "Glitterpants."
Storms and rain caused a "fall out," and 89 new rubythroat
sightings reported. High speed cameras allow us to learn new things
about hummingbirds. A "Nature" video shows how. And
what do you want to know about the hummingbird nesting cycle?
Plug in to this important part of the hummingbird's life cycle.
Photo:
Ed Robertson |
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Hummingbird Migration Update: April 21, 2010
Rufous hummingbirds pushed further east this week into eastern
Washington and Idaho. Are warmer temperatures pushing the migration
faster this year? Compare two species: think how their differences
and similarities affect their migrations. Earth Day is a good
time to think about how to best care for the earth and its creatures,
including hummingbirds! Photo:
Bud Hensley |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 14, 2010
Ruby-throated hummers pushed further north this week and many
more people got their first sighting. As the males arrive they
appear to be on a manic mission: Set up territories, defend them
from would-be thieves, and impress a mate. Watch their antics
in this week's slideshow. Then solve the migration rate puzzle
to determine how long before you see your first hummer.
Photos: Russ Thompson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update:
April 7, 2010
This week was nothing short of amazing for the rubythroat migration.
Strong southerly winds and mild weather took the birds north across
13 more boundaries and into Canada! The Costa Rica farm reported
this week their last hummer of the season has left. Imagine flying
these distances using their little wings. Learn more about their
marvelous wings and how they are adapted to allow the hummingbirds
to do what other birds cannot.Photo:
Russ Thompson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 31, 2010
Variable winds and rain brought little movement early last week.
Winds from the south will bring more hummers and other migrants
from the Tropics in the coming week. This week it's all about
habitat. What kinds of sun-driven events need to take place before
you can sustain a hummingbird? How far away are the hummers from
your feeder? Use your map and math skills to predict when you'll
see your first hummer.
Photo: John Doerper |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 24, 2010
Southerly winds pushed the rubythroat migration into 4 new states
this week. Observers throughout the Pacific Northwest continued
to report loads of rufous activity. This week it's all about food.
It's early in the migration, and many flowers are yet to bloom.
What fuels the hungry hummers this time of year? Build your own
feeder with recycled materials to hang in your classroom window
or school yard. It is simple way to see a hummer up close. Photo:
Cat Traylor |

Photo:
Russ Thompson |
Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 17, 2010
A flush of new sighting reports—32 total rufous this week—
yet it seems the rufous migration is holding at the 49th latitude.
Learn about one of the hummer's most amazing adaptation - how
they so efficiently drink nectar. Look at the differences in our
2 species migrations so far. Learn why they are so different.
And keep your eyes on the wind and weather to predict what the
migrations will do by next week. |

Photo:
D. Edington |
Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 10, 2010
A few days of southern winds and more ruby-throats have been spotted
along the Gulf Coast. Traffic will slow down as a cold front brings
rain this week. Most early hummingbird sightings are males. Find
out why. Study a poster of pictures showing hummers doing various
things. Observe them like a scientist. What do you wonder about
hummingbirds? Save your questions and submit them to our expert
starting Friday. |

Photo:
Russ Thompson |
Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 3, 2010
Just like clockwork, last week the first migrating ruby-throated
hummingbirds showed up on US soil. However, the weather could
cause a stall in the migration until winds shift from north to
south later in the week. Will the south winds bring with them
the first big numbers of rubythroats? How do ruby-throated hummingbirds
get here? Let's dig into these questions and explore your ideas. |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: February
24, 2010 Sighters
in the western states are seeing the first scattered rufous sightings,
but we are still waiting for the first reports of ruby-throated
hummingbirds. Keep your eye on the map for sightings along the
Gulf Coast. How can weather maps help you predict when they will
cross the Gulf? Here's one example of a map that might help. Learn
about the geography of the migration as you make your own map
to use this season. |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: February
17, 2010
Visit a tropical farm in Costa Rica where 9 species of hummingbirds
can be found, including our ruby throat. What does the wintering
grounds have to offer these migrating birds? Some hummers have
been sighted in the north. Why this is happening? Use your imagination:
send a postcard home from the wintering grounds-before migration
starts. |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: February
3, 2010
Welcome to Journey North's 17th season! Meet and get to know our
hummingbirds. We will be tracking the spring migration of the
ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds on their journey north this
spring. Why do they come back north? Explore this question in
this week's Update and slideshow.
Photo:M.
Zinkova |
Journey
North News: Fall 2009
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: October 30, 2009
We know at least three ruby-throated hummingbirds have reached
their winter home in Costa Rica! Patricia Nethercote announced
the news from her backyard in Guayabo de Bagaces, and she sent
snapshots to prove it. Meanwhile, our migration maps show hummingbirds
are going, going, and almost gone from Cananda and much of the
United States. If you are still seeing hummingbirds, please let
us know! Photo:
Patricia Nethercote |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: September 22, 2009
While
people in the north were saying their last goodbyes, hummingbird
migration reached a peak last week in the Gulf Coast states.
Swarms of hungry hummingbirds appeared in backyard feeders as
they poured down from the north. Please continue to report your
hummingbird observations regularly. The goal of our map is to
show when and where hummingbirds were present this fall. Photo:
Bill Morris |
| Journey
North News: Spring 2009
Posted
Thursdays:
Feb. 5, 19, Mar. 5, 12, 19*,
26, Apr. 2*, 9, 16*, 23, 30*, May 7*, 14*, 21*, 28*,
June 4* (* Migration Data Only)
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 28, 2009
As the season wraps up, the maps slow down. Most observers have
seen their "firsts." Now they can explore how hummers
behave and interact with one another, their food sources, and
different weather conditions. We hope you'll do the same! Enjoy
this week's short update, then come back next week for the FINAL
hummingbird report. Photo: Ed Robertson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 21, 2009
Fifty two states and provinces now host our hummingbird
species! Reports of "first" sightings are way down,
but hummers are busy following their instincts. When you're on
summer vacation, they'll be fledging, furiously feeding, and otherwise
preparing for another long and risky journey. Find out how they
do it and watch some antics in today's update! Animation:
Russ Thompson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 14, 2009
Rubythroats landed in two new states and four Canadian provinces
this week. Some even took a turn and started heading west! Will
they bump into rufous hummers before long? Stay tuned. This week,
watch a slideshow about a very special rufous. Also ponder why
so many observers are terrifically happy when the first hummers
return! Photo:
Joan Garvey |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: May 7, 2009
They
are "wired" to race north, and they're doing it in droves!
A big band of rubythroats pushed to the northern states and beyond
last week. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for action in your
neighborhood. Meanwhile, enjoy a birds-eye view of mama hummers
and fuzzy nestlings in this week's photos and slideshow. Photo:
Dorothy Edgington |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 30, 2009
Hummingbirds headed north by the hundreds this past week. Was
balmy weather at work? The big news: One special rubythroat returned
to home base. Was he on time? You'll have a chance to look at
the data and be the judge. Also this week, discover some secrets
about how hummers cope with cold nights, and ponder what happens
in a hummingbird nest. Photo:
Alandra Palisser
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 23, 2009
The rubythroat migration made a great leap forward this week despite
some "down" days. Travelers on the leading edge rode
clear skies right into Canada and five new states. This week,
discover why some rufous seem to be branching out. Also watch
our slideshow to discover how female hummers create cradles that
are stronger than steel, yet cushy as cotton! Photo:
Ed Robertson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 16, 2009
The earliest rubythroats landed in new northern states, and the
masses are peaking in the south! Meanwhile, rufous hummers seem
to be sneaking inland. This week, explore a cool hummer adaptation
and discover how scientists think a hummingbird could
find just the right feeder each year. Also, dig into some of the
data from this spring's journeys. Photo:
Russ Thompson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 9, 2009
Two rufous hummers reach Alaska, and rubythroats are surging ahead.
Despite harsh weather, they landed in seven new states.
Why, and how can they survive? Let's explore! Also, many of these
males are on a manic mission: Set up territories, defend them
from would-be thieves, and impress a mate. Watch their antics
in this week's slideshow! Photo:
Russ Thompson |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: April 2, 2009
More than 80 new reports last week, despite stormy weather! This
week, see where they're headed, explore what's driving them onward,
and discover why they're the acrobats of the bird world. Also
find out how you can provide an irresistible feast for new arrivals.
Then come back next week for a longer report and more hummingbird
secrets revealed! Photo: Martin
Dollenkamp |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 26, 2009
Hungry rubythroats just cruised into 5 new states! Meanwhile,
newcomers keep moving up through the South. Nearly 80 new reports
last week. Will looming wild weather slow the migrations? This
week, discover how close your nearest hummingbird is.
Also, watch our slideshow to discover how birds with brains no
bigger than M&Ms fuel their tough journeys!
Photo: Bud Hensley |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 19, 2009
After a fast and furious start to the migration, hummingbirds
seem to have have been lying low this past week. What slowed them
down? How does the pace compare to that in previous years? We'll
explore those questions in this week's short report and look at
what "spring" really means to a hummer! Photo:
Alandra Palisser |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 12, 2009 Wow.
The 77 new dots on our live maps paint a picture of hummingbirds
on the move! Rubythroats have pushed into two new states. Rufous,
meanwhile, are hovering in hordes near Canada. How did they get
so far ahead? Explore that this week, discover why feathers sometimes
shimmer, and see if your schoolyard is ready for these tiny migrants. |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: March 5, 2009
The migration season has begun! Hummingbird spotters in 5 Gulf
Coast states reported the arrival of the first hungry rubythroats.
Check out this week's maps and try to figure out how they got
there. Then dig into today's slideshow. Also see what observers
are saying about the rufous hummingbirds that are making a beeline
up the West Coast. Photo: Maryjane |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: February 19, 2009
What are all those dots on our hummingbird maps? Have the migrations
really started, or is something else at work? Maybe some of these
nectar-sipping, insect-eating creatures found what they need to
get through the winter north of the border. This week, slideshows,
stories, and maps will help you discover how some hummers get
by! Photo: Robert Behrstock |
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Hummingbird
Migration Update: February 5, 2009
If you put ten hummingbirds in an envelope, you could mail it
with just one stamp! Yet these tiny flyers are preparing
to leave the comfort of cozy winter grounds to make a long and
remarkable journey north. Who are the creatures we'll be tracking?
Why do they risk the trip? And when will they get to your
hometown? Join us this week to explore these questions. Photos:
Ed Robertson, Dean Briggins |
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Join
us in February!
Beginning February 5th, weekly spring migration updates will be
posted here every Thursday, from February to June. Get
ready to track the migration! Hummingbirds will move north to
nest and travel across the continent. Find
out how to report your sightings and track the migration on real-time
maps.
Photo:
Damon Calderwood |