Welcome! Orientation for New Participants We're glad you are joining us this spring. Here's a quick overview of Journey North's spring hummingbird migration season: Journey North's Hummingbird Migration: The Basics Who You'll Track: Students use our interactive maps to track one or both of two species of hummingbirds: the Ruby-throated (central and eastern United States and Canada) and the Rufous (mainly western United States and Canada). See species' distribution map. These species make remarkable journeys north from Central America and Mexico. When the Migrations Take Place: The ruby-throated hummingbird migration begins in late February or early March. The first rubythroats reach Canada in May. Rufous hummers begin heading north in January. The first ones reach Canada in early March. How to Follow the Weekly News: Every Thursday, we post exciting News Updates about the hummingbird migration. Select "News" on the hummingbird navigation bar to find the updates. The first update is posted on February 7 and the last one is on May 29. (Sample News Update) Hummingbird News Updates include Latest interactive Migration Maps and a Map Questions Handout (Sample) A Topic of the Week: A slideshow, booklet, or photo observation, and a handout Highlights From the Migration Trail: Reports from other observers and "thinking" questions for students. A Challenge Question, and the answer the following week. (About Challenge Questions) Overview of Weekly News Topics: Throughout the season, students make and revise predictions to answer the question, Where will the hummingbirds head next? News Updates help them explore weather and climate maps, compare migrations from several years, consider what influences the migration's progress, and make sense of unusual sightings. February: As students wait for our maps to show the first hummingbirds crossing into the United States, they'll explore these topics: Winter Survival Stories, Why Hummers Head North, Hummingbird Habitat Needs. March: The first hummingbirds cross the U.S. border, and the adventure begins! Main topics: The Amazing Journey Across the Gulf, Comparing the Migrations, Adaptations for Survival. (Note: From March 14-28, students can e-mail questions to our Hummingbird Expert.) April: Main topics: Setting up and Defending Territories, Finding Mates May: Main topics: Building Nests, Raising Young. How to View and Create Migration Maps: Learn about our two interactive hummingbird migration maps and tips for classroom mapping. How to Report Your Sightings: If you live in a region that either (or both) of our hummingbird species visit, students should report their FIRST sightings. Learn how to report your observations by submitting a Practice Report. You can submit observations any time, day or night. They will appear on the migration map within five minutes. Pages to Bookmark: Bookmark one or more of these pages for yourself and/or your students: Hummingbird Home, Getting Started, Hummingbird News, Journey North for Kids, Resources to Explore Other Core Teaching Tools Journey North Journals: Many Journey North teachers have students keep Hummingbird Migration Journals to inspre learning and assessment. Journey North for Kids: A simple, student-directed entry point to Journey North. It features engaging hummingbird stories, photos, slideshows, booklets, and videos. These build observation skills, inspire scientific thinking, and create fertile ground for discussions and new questions! (Journey North for Kids: Hummingbirds). Other Hummingbird Resource Materials: Journey North has a rich resource library of hummingbird activities and lessons and frequently asked questions. Journey North and Seasonal Change: Journey North explores the interrelated aspects of seasonal change. The hummingbird migration is one example. These background lessons, which can be used with all Journey North species, help teachers integrate the migrations into a broader context. Assessment: You can use these Assessment Tools during and at the end of your Journey North Hummingbird project. This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2008 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.