Activity 1 Northern Cardinals live on our property in the mountains in Virginia year-round and delight us with their color and flight. Since they are the state bird, I was surprised to see that their range extends to Mexico. Blackburnian Warbler migrates an impressive trip from Canada to northern South America. As a child, my family (which consisted of a Canadian mother and a Chilean father) took frequent trips from Virginia to both countries, so I know how far of a journey that is! Scarlet Tanager also migrates from North America to deep into South America. I wonder if it lives in the jungle, with its beautiful red colors. Western Tanager stays on the western edge on its way from North America to Central America. I wonder what it likes about the western side. Ruby-throated Hummingbird come every year to our feeders in late spring. Seeing the migration map reminds me how it really does fly all the way from Mexico. It is cute that one group stays in eastern Florida, I guess because of blooming flowers there. Rufous Hummingbird migrates in the west, made me wonder how migrating birds avoid crashes with airplanes and helicopters, and my heart goes out for them. Sandhill Crane migrate all the way to the artic circle, it seems. That is amazing that they do that. I hope they are protected. Sadly, they avoid these Appalachian Mountains in their southern migration. We see blue herons here most of the year, coming to our pond, but perhaps they have migrated when we don’t see them in winter. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher are rare in our area, but I notice that this is in their range. I would love to see one. I think they have woodpecker habits. In their migration from Mexico to Canada, I wonder if they fly over land or water? Activity 2 Birds we have seen: Bird species- year-round residents- Northern cardinals Blue jay Pileated woodpecker Bird species- only live in our area for part of the year- Ruby-throated hummingbirds Canada goose Great Blue Heron Activity 3: Compare pictures during different seasons: birds in different plumages Summer color and pattern Winter color and pattern similarities Male American Goldfinches Starting around April, their feathers brighten up with glorious yellow. We see flocks of them on our property, and they are absolutely brilliant. Beginning in September, and continuing for six to eight weeks, they molt all of their feathers, ending up with a completely new and pristine set of feathers (and drab colors) as they head into the winter During mating season, the males have spectacular colors and markings. The female is drab, so she can sit on the nest and will blend in, as camouflage. Common Loons In its summer breeding plumage, the common loon has a black-and-white checkered back, iridescent black head and neck, black bill, red eyes, a prominent white “necklace” marking around the neck, and a much smaller white “chinstrap” marking at the throat. In the winter, loons have a much drabber plumage, with gray feathers replacing the black and white ones. Their necks and bellies are white. This plumage provides excellent camouflage while they ride the waves along the coast and on large reservoirs in the south. Activity 4: Think about your favorite birding spot. I was so excited when the Canada goose arrived at the ponds at the birding trail. There were two breeding pairs. The female was sitting on the nest twice when I went walking there. But I was sad to see one day that both pairs were gone.

1. Northern Cardinal is abundant year-round in the eastern US, whereas the Blackburnian Warbler’s territory  include the eastern US but adds on Canada and he migrated from South America. The Scarlet Tanager and the Western Tanager are found in opposite sides of the US although the western bird’s range  includes Canada. Both migrates so their presence is seasonal. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the Rufous Hummungbird also occupy sides of the US, but both are also found in Central America. The migrate so are seasonal birds. The Sandhill Crane is year-around in the southern US, but can also be found in Alaska and Canada on a seasonal basis. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is also seasonal, but is not found in the South but in Central America, eastern US and Canada. It is year around only in the South.There is a wide variety in location and migration patterns, but non3 of these birds fly across the Major oceans.

Activity 1 These animated maps are incredible! I was particularly interested in seeing the Sandhill Crane migration. I had the pleasure of seeing the Sandhill Cranes in their winter home in southern Arizona a few weeks ago. There were thousands of them! They are only in one little area of Arizona, so I was fortunate to see them. I now know they can come from as far away as Siberia. Pretty incredible. It was also interesting to see that the Ruby throated Hummingbird and the Rufous Hummingbird go in opposite directions. One flying east and the other west. I was also impressed with the wide range of the Northern Cardinal (even Hawaii) and that they are year-round residents.

Activity 1 The Northern Cardinal doesn’t migrate  and the Blackburnian Warbler migrates from western South America to Central America into central and eastern United States up into Canada from the Maritimes to Saskatchewan. Now that’s a long commute. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird begins its migration in Central America to central and eastern United States and the Maritimes and Manitoba of southern Canada. The Rufous Hummingbird starts in a similar area but migrates up the western side of North America into British Columbia. Starting in only two states, Texas and Florida, the Sandhill Crane flies to the Arctic to breed. The tiny Yellow-bellied Flycatcher starts the migration from Central America to central and eastern United States then a small number fly west into British Columbia and the northern territories, but the vast majority spend their summer in Newfoundland, Labrador and northern Quebec. The Scarlet Tanager, like the Blackburnain Warbler winters in western South America and travels to central and eastern United States and the Western Tanager, like its name, likes the western portion of the United States and British Columbia and Alberta. So why do some go west while others prefer the east? Possibly diet? The size of the bird doesn't determine how long its migration is. The smallest of the birds on this list, the Hummingbirds migrate long distances. Until I began looking at migration maps I didn’t realize that "those birds" I saw in my yard were just one offs on their way to their breeding grounds and since then I’ve spent my springs and falls looking for these particular birds again. I may never see them again. Always have a camera ready! Activity 2 I decided to concentrate on waterfowl since I live next to a Great Lake and pick birds I wasn’t familiar with. Two of them, I have only been introduced to within the last 4 weeks. The Long-tailed Duck and the Red-breasted Merganser both are here in the non-breeding season, which means, that pretty soon they will be gone again until next fall. The other non-breeding winter bird is the Canvasback, I’ve yet to find one, but they may have already flown to their breeding grounds. It’s the end of March. The Northern Shoveler and the American Wigeon fly here to breed, so I will keep my eyes open to see if I can find them. The last bird, a Gadwall can be found here all year round. I’m going to look for them. Activity 3 Comparing different plumages in different seasons for the male American Goldfinch and the Common Loon. The bright colours of the male American Goldfinch and the striking patterns of the Common Loon are replaced with muted colours, tones and pattern overall during the non-breeding season. The male American Goldfinch still keeps his black wings with white wing bars and markings, but becomes a buff colour in the chest and back and loses his black cap during the winter. The loon, both male and female, change their plumage from the black head, black and white stripes, spots and greenish throat necklace to flat greyish tones on the head and a dark plainer back with some scalloping on the feathers. I’ve only ever seen a loon in the summer so I’ll keep a watch out for them in the winter. Activity 4 Until recently, I only ever went to a lakeside park near my home during the summer. Double-crested Cormorants were plentiful all summer long. There are none there now and soon they will appear again for the breeding season. Killdeer will come only to breed and will leave in the fall. They were already in the park with I visited on March 17. 2022. The American Woodcock arrives in the spring to breed along with the Great Blue Heron. In my backyard I have Mourning Doves all year round. They sometimes disappear for a few weeks in the dead of winter then return again in March. Maybe they went on vacation. The field guide map says that the Carolina wren stays here all year round, but in my experience they only show up in the spring and summer to my backyard garden.

Activity #2 - Three species that're year-round residents in my area include the American Crow, Anna's Hummingbird, and California Scrub-Jay. I get the pleasure of seeing these birds daily since I provide sugar water to the hummingbirds and have become "the peanut lady" to the scrub jays and crows. Three species that only live in my area for part of the year include the Canada Goose, Dark-eyed Junco, and Rufous Hummingbird. I always see these species when they pass through. Can't miss the goose's call and the sight of them, often flying low over our homes during migration. We have a major nearby river which I think makes a great stop-and-refuel area for them. The Dark-eyed Juncos always come to feed from my suet feeder during winter. Similarly, I can't miss the unmistakable sound of the Rufous Hummingbirds as they come to our hummingbird feeders as well. Activity #3 - The seasonal plumage changes for both the male American Goldfinches and Common Loons are striking! I noticed that the colors of the feathers and beaks for both species are vibrant and intense in the summer and are dull and faded in the winter. In addition, for the Common Loon, the iridescent green-blue band around the neck along with the clear, crisp black and white patterning seems to disappear too.

One spot I’d love to see is painted bunting

activity 2: I live in the central valley of California (a great place for birding!).  Three species we have year-round are:  anna's hummingbird, black phoebe, and tree swallow.  Sometimes swallows are hard to tell apart, but if I see one in the winter, I know it's a tree swallow.  The others don't come until Spring.  I find it interesting that some birds are only in my area in the winter such as ruby-crowned kinglets and snow geese.  We have relatively mild winters (no snow or ice).  Other birds are only in my area in the summer such as western kingbirds.  They come here only for breeding.  It is very hot and dry here in the summer (over 100 degrees).  It seems like some birds like our mild winters, but not our hot summers, and other birds like our hot summers, but not our cool winters.  I guess it has to do with what they eat.  There are also birds we get only during Spring and Fall migration such as Wilson's warblers.  I have seen all of these before.  I look forward to seasonal bird changes!  There are some migrants that apparently come through our area, but I've never seen, so I keep looking!

As a Florida resident, I am used to seeing Sandhill Cranes year around.  I was surprised to see how far north Sandhills migrate and Florida is special in that we have a year around population.

1. The range maps ARE really neat. It is incredible to see how far some birds travel. Also interesting that in the case of some, like the Sandhill Crane, a subset stays put in Florida while the rest travel northward. 2. Our year-round residents: Kestrel, great horned owl, Anna's hummingbird. Right now we have robins visiting. I was surprised to see that Sandhill cranes sometimes come to my area. I have never seen one but will keep my eyes out now! The Golden Eagle is here most of the year but gone for short periods in July and August. I'm curious to know why. 3. skipping for now 4.  Common birds at my favorite birding spot right now are: Redwinged blackbird,  white-tailed kite, black phoebe. Summer birds include the Ash-throated flycatcher, cliff swallow, western kingbird.

Activity 1: These animated range maps are the coolest thing! It's fascinating to be able to see practically week by week over the course of a bird's year where they are, where they're most abundant and try to imagine how they're traveling and why they spend time in specific locations. I would imagine the Blackburnian Warbler's small, highly-concentrated wintering range is because they need a very specific habitat that's only in that area, or because this way they avoid competition with other related birds. It was interesting that the Scarlet Tanager looks like its wintering population shifts throughout the winter, unlike the Blackburnian Warbler that stays focused in one winter range. And I was surprised to see how concentrated the Ruby-throated Hummingbird population is in Missouri in May - the place to be to see them in spring. Activity 2: Three local migrant birds are the Common Swift, Lapwing and Reed Warbler. I guess the large areas showing no data on the animated range maps for some birds are because there are no eBird observations from those areas - such as for the Swifts crossing the Sahara. It's interesting how the Lapwing's migration is east to west, from eastern Europe and China to spend the winter in north-western Europe. I didn't realize how the entire world population of Reed Warblers is concentrated in west Africa for the winter, in Mauretania, Senegal, and Gambia. It was surprising too how in February some move to around Lake Victoria, to then move up through the Nile Valley to cross the eastern Mediterranean. Definitely a little brown bird with a big story... Activity 3: The Goldfinch male has bright yellow breeding plumage, which must be the brown tips of his non-breeding plumage wearing off by spring to show the brighter colors. The same must be true of the Common Loon, but I wondered how his white throat and breast feathers wear off to reveal the black underneath.

Activity 1: Northern Cardinal- The Northern Cardinal stays put-does not migrate. Stays in eastern US. Blackburnian Warbler - The Warbler starts in the very norther part of South America (Colombia/Venezuela) and migrates to the southern part of Canada/northern north America.   Scarlet Tanager- Northern south America to eastern north America Western Tanager- West coast of Mexico to western America; leaves later than other birds   Ruby-throated Hummingbird- Southwestern Mexico to the entire eastern half of the US Rufous Hummingbird- Western Mexico during the winter and Washington during summer   Sandhill Crane- Southern and midwestern US to northern US and Canada Yellow-bellied Flycatcher- Winter months in the southern peninsula of north America then during the summer northern Canada.   Activity 2: Year-round residents: American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco Seasonal residents: American Tree-Sparow (non-breeding months/winter), Evening Grosbeak, Gray Catbird I have seen all of these around our bird feeders.  The Grosbeak I have only seen once in my life. We mostly have Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.   Activity 3: Male American Goldfinches - Summer: Very bright yellow, black and white wings - Winter: mousy-brown color and lose their vibrancy, the wings maintain the same black and white pattern but are not as strong colored as they were in the summer. Common Loons  - Summer: black head, white neck band, checkered black and white back and wings, red eyes - Winter: dark grey with a white breast, belly and wing lining. Eyes darken to a deep reddish-brown   Activity 4: My favorite spot is our birdfeeder. We have a lot of species that show up during the year. In 6 months, I would expect to see Red-winged Blackbirds, possibly the Pileated Woodpecker couple that live near us, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Goldfinches, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (maybe Evening Grosbeaks too!). Year-round we have Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, a variety of Woodpeckers (Downy, Red-bellied, Hairy), Mourning Doves, and an array of Finches.

Activity 4: I live in Brussels, Belgium and my favorite local birdwatching spot is a small nature reserve at the edge of the Sonian Forest, with two big ponds, reedbeds, woodland and some open areas. On January 8th I saw a lot of Eurasian Coots, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Gadwall and some Mute Swans on the smaller pond. There was also  a Little Grebe. Some Egyptian Geese, Black-headed Gulls, Gray Herons and Great Cormorants flew over from the bigger pond nearby. In the trees and park areas I heard Stock Doves "singing", Eurasian Jays, a Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Jackdaw, Magpie and a Gray Wagtail. Six months from now almost all these birds will still be at the reserve, except for the Black-headed Gulls that are only there in the winter. The big difference will be the pairs of Reed Warblers that will have arrived (from Africa!) to breed in the reeds along the edge of the ponds. There should also be Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Song Thrushes and Great Crested Grebes breeding in the reserve. During the summer House Martins and Swallows also often fly over the ponds to catch insects, and there will be swifts, and maybe even a Kingfisher nesting in the special nesting bank built by the bigger pond.

Activity 2: three species that are year-round residents- Florida

• Mourning Dove
• Osprey
• Sandhill Crane

three that only live in your area for part of the year- Florida

• Palm Warbler
• Bald Eagle
• Swallow-tailed Kite

Activity  2.  Living in Connecticut  we have the  Black  Capped Chickadee,, White  Breasted  Nuthatch, and the Northern Cardinals year round.  When  I  go for  a walk  in the woods  the Black Capped Chickadee  follow me. They even sing now and then.  In the  spring  I can't  wait for the  Ruby Throated Hummingbird to arrive at my window box.  You know when it is  spring when  the Eastern  Towhee and the  Rose Breasted  Grosbeak come home for the summer.

Activity 2:  Three species that are year-round residents in Illinois are the Northern Cardinal, the Blue Jay, and the American Goldfinch.  One notable feature is their colorful plumage.  Three species that are residents in Illinois for part of the year are the American Robin, the Common Grackle, and the Hummingbird.  They arrive in spring and go south in winter.  Activity 3:  Male American Goldfinch.  The bill is pink in summer and grayish-brown in winter. They are bright yellow with black wings, tails, and foreheads in spring and summer.  In winter, they are olive-brown with wing bars.  Common Loon. Breeding adults have black and white patterning, a black head with an iridescent sheen, and boldly checkered back.  Non-breeding adults have plumage that is plainer gray above and white below with a border between gray and white on the neck.  In winter, adult loons experience a full body molt.  Their eye color also changes with the season.  They have red eyes in summer and brown eyes in winter.  Activity 4:  Birds that I expect to view from my favorite spot now:  Northern Cardinal, Dark-eyed Junco, House Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Purple Finch.  Birds that I expect to see in the next six months:  American Robin, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Common Grackle, Blue Jay, House Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird.

I notice the American Goldfinch is a brighter yellow in the summer during breeding season and is less vibrant in the winter.  The Common Loon is more distinctly black and white in the summer during breeding season and a grayish brown during the winter.  Birds are safer from predators if they do not stand out in the winter months when they do not need to attract a mate.

#1 I live in Southwest Ohio.  Using Merlin's Likely Birds feature, I  notice these year-round birds in our area: Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, and Red-Breasted Woodpeckers.  House Wrens, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, and Purple Finch migrate through our area.  We await their arrival, especially at our backyard feeders.

eBirds Status and Trends maps of abundance and migration are interesting.  In Southwest Ohio we see Northern Cardinals year round.  I have not seen Blackburnian Warblers which I now realize migrate in the spring and fall through Ohio but do not remain here.  No wonder this bird is new to me.

Cape May is one of the most popular birding areas near me, and I would expect to see many migratory birds there on their way to the south (their names, I wouldn't know.) It's why I would stipulate that the Cape May Birding Festival occurs in October of every year.

Breeding plumage vs non-breeding plumage seems to be bright stand-out coloured plumage for summer and duller more camouflage plumage for winter. Perhaps the bright colours are to attract a mate during breeding season? The duller colours during non breeding plumage are perhaps to camouflage with their surroundings more? This would be useful for water birds, as I believe they go through a period of molt where they are unable to fly, so it would benefit them to blend in with their surrounds so as to not be seen as well by predators.

Activity 1: Northern Cardinal doesn’t migrate that much throughout the year-stays primarily in the U.S. and a few areas in Mexico year round. Blackburnian Warbler travels great distances- wintering primarily in South America and parts of Central America, and migrating to northern U.S. and Canada for breeding season. Scarlet Tanager winters in South America and migrates to central and eastern U.S. and parts of Canada during breeding season. Western Tanager winters along the coasts of Central America and Mexico and migrates to western U.S. and Canada during breeding season. Ruby-throated Hummingbird winters in Mexico and Central America and migrates to central and eastern U.S. and parts of Canada during breeding season-very spread out in those areas. Rufous Hummingbird winters in Mexico and migrates to coastal areas of western U.S. and Canada for spring, then spreads out southward into western U.S. in summer- perhaps following the food/flower supply. Yellow-bellied flycatcher winters in southern Mexico and Central America, and migrates to far northern portions of western, central and eastern Canada as well as New England. Sandhill Crane breaks up into different groups that winter in southern U.S., Mexico, and Florida; they summer in various parts of northern Canada and the U.S.-some birds remain in Florida all year round. Activity 2:  Birds that do not winter in my area that I have seen: Snowy Egret, Osprey, and Great Blue Heron. Birds that are found year-round in my area that I have seen: Peregrine Falcon, American Robin and Northern Cardinal. Activity 3: American Goldfinch in summer is bright yellow with black wings and tail and beak is bright orange; in winter their yellow is muted and blended with beige-their beaks are brown/black. Common Loons in summer have strikingly beautiful white and black stripes and checker pattern on neck and body,  black head/hood with a teal band around the neck, black beak; in winter the dorsal side of bird is a muted brown/black and the underside from beak to tail is white, whitish beak with black blended in part of it. Activity 4: Favorite birding spot is DeKorte Park wetlands. Expect to see now in September but won’t see them in March: Laughing Gull, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Osprey, Snowy Egret, Spotted Sandpiper.

Activity 4: One of my favorite places to go birding is the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Boynton Beach FL. it's a great oasis for many wadding birds and the breeding season is amazing. there is always some birds of many species but during the breeding season there a lot of birds of many species. It's great because it not only has the wetlands it also has a little wooded area too so even more species. If i recall the 2 bird species that have large quantities of nests in the area are the Wood Stork and Anhingas. A random trip there no matter the season will likely see herons, egrets, gallinules and various waterfowl. I'm excited to visit there again with all this new found bird knowledge in hopes to ID even more birds.

Activity 3: The male American Goldfinch in summer is this brilliant bird of yellow with dramatic black wings with some white bars on the wings and some percent of their head wearing a black cap. The winter bird loses its brilliant yellow color for a more muted yellow or more tan color. the dramatic black wings remain, with the white bars. I have not seen this bird in person. They seem to be infrequent in South Florida, only in the winter in some areas, but I will keep my eyes open for that winter plumage.  The Common Loon has some striking plumage in the summer. A jet black head with a checkered body. His neck has some black and white stripes with a bit of iridescent color. The winter bird looks completely different in his plumage. he loses his flash and turns to a drab bird with a grey black back side, neck and head and a white under side and throat. I have not seen a Common loon. they don't seem to make it to south Florida and they come through Chincoteague VA in the winter when I will not be here. they are in northern Canada in the spring and summer. Maybe one day I'll get to see that breeding plumage in person, very stunning.

Activity 2: Three species in my area (Chincoteague, VA) that are year round residents would be the Canada goose, the American Oystercatcher, and the Bald Eagle. I have seen all of these species in the area. the Canada goose on a daily basis, the Bald Eagle just once or twice and the American Oystercatcher somewhere in between those frequencies. Three species that only live in the area for part of the year is the Merlin, the ruby throated hummingbird and the great crested flycatcher. I have not seen the Merlin but they show up and stay in the fall and winter and I'm only here for the summer. I'm sure they show up for the travelling waterfowl. The ruby throated hummingbird I have seen. they are here for the spring and summer months. I've seen a few in the time I've been here. The great crested flycatcher I have not seen. They are also here for the spring through beginning of fall months. I've listened to their calls and they don't sound completely foreign to me so maybe I have heard them and didn't even know it. I will definitely be on the look out and listen out for them during my remaining time here.

Activity 1: It was so interesting to see the different range maps and migrations of these chosen species. With the Cardinal I noticed there wasn't really any migration maybe just a bit here and there. For the most part cardinals are around year round. The Blackburnian Warblers winter in the north western countries of South America. The abundance has an interesting pattern, maybe influenced by a river or mountains. They summer in Canada and the Northeast states of U.S. It looks like their path is north through central American countries and south Mexico and then they fly over the gulf perhaps. The Scarlet Tanager winters in the northwest countries of South America and summers in Northeast U.S and Canada. Their summers abundance show a high abundance in and around the Appalachian mountains. The Western Tanager winters in Mexico and the central America countries. They summer in western U.S and Canada. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird winters in the South of Mexico and the central American countries. they summer in the east half of U.S and some in Canada. The Rufous Hummingbird winters in Mexico and spends the summer on the west coast of U.S and Canada. I found their migrations interesting. Travelling North they really stay along the coast. Travelling South they spread further east into Texas. Maybe has something to do with the Rocky mountains and weather at the different times of year. The Sandhill Crane spends the winters in dense populations in Texas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and California and some other states. They spend the summer s in North Canada and Alaska with some populations in northern U.S states like Montana, Idaho, Michigan with an outlier population in Florida. Their migration path is interesting too. Headed North they stay in their respective flyways and merge together in the Central Northern States, then spread north all over Canada. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher winters in central American countries and spends the summers in Eastern Canada and some in western Canada. They migrate through Mexico and central U.S than spreads out throughout Canada. These migration paths are so interesting. I'd love to see their relations to elevations of the land.