On the Fly

A chance to be a citizen scientist.

The Annenberg Learner Journey North site collects information from ordinary people about migrations of animals throughout North America.  This includes Mexico, USA and Canada…you know like NORTH AMERICA.

These three are the ones I try to report back on.  They (Journey North) allow you to follow migrations based on the data people have turned in.  You can even look at specific locations and see what information has been submitted.

According to them I should be seeing all three of the above.  I have only seen the robins, but then they pretty much wintered here.  However about January/February the robins and cedar wax wings descend on the holly tree at my front door and clean it out of holly berries.  I do report that.

I haven’t seen the monarchs although they are supposed to have been here.  I don’t know what they could be eating and/or laying eggs on as my milkweed plants are barely pushing up through the ground, 10 centimeters at most and we had a smattering of snow April 7th and cold April 14th and finally rain this past weekend.  Today is one of the warmer days we’ve had.

I’ve put out my hummingbird feeder by the kitchen window.  Haven’t seen anyone there yet.  Usually I will see ruby throated hummingbirds, house finches and downy woodpeckers at the hummingbird feeder.  I keep other feeders up year round.  Squirrels love that…grr.

If you have an interest in wildlife, I suggest you take a look at the Annenberg site and help add to the knowledge base with your observations.  Often people feel like they can’t help wildlife or scientists…this is a way you can help both and it only takes a little of your time.