I just watched the range maps for the Northern Cardinal and the Blackburnian Warbler. I saw that the Northern Cardinal's abundance fluctuated and moved around the edges and concentrated a bit at times in it's usual range (which includes where I live in Florida) but did not really migrate. It's non-breeding, pre-breeding, breeding, and post-breeding areas are all pretty much the same with no migration. The Blackburnian Warbler's range changed drastically as it went through parts of the United States and up to Canada and then back through slightly different areas of the United States and into Central and South America. The Blackburnian Warbler shares some of it's pre and post-breeding time in it's non-breeding and breeding areas. It migrates significantly. The Scarlet Tanager goes from South America up through Central America and into the Northeast portion of the United States and on up into the NE portion of Canada and then right back where it had come from. The Scarlet Tanagers pre and post-breeding time shares area with both the non-breeding and breeding locations, with a lot of overlap with the breeding location in particular. The Western Tanger goes from Central America into the Western portion of the United States and up into the Western side of Canada. The Western Tanagers pre and post-breeding time also shares area with both the non-breeding and breeding locations, with a little less overlap with the breeding location than the Scarlet Tanager. The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds goes from Central America (non-breeding time) up through the Northeast portion of the United States and the NE portion of Canada and then back through the same areas and back where they came from. It's breeding, pre-breeding, post-breeding areas are all the same areas with varying abundance. The Rufous Hummingbird goes from Central America (non-breeding) up the far Western portion of the United States close to the coast (pre-breeding), and up into the Western portion of the Canada (breeding). On it's way back down to Central America it still goes through the Western United States but covers a much larger portion of the United States(post-breeding), further East but still in the West, and then back into Central America. These two birds are polar opposites in the areas (East and West) and they have fairly different patterns as far as their pre and post-breeding in that the Rufous Hummingbird is only traveling during that time and goes to it's breeding area but the Ruby-throated Hummingbird shares that same area with it's breeding area. The Sandhill Crane goes just barely into Central America and concentrates in Texas and Florida during in their non-breeding season. They they travel up through the middle of the United States during the pre-breeding time and then up into the Northern most parts of Canada during their breeding season. There also are a good abundance or breeding Sandhill Cranes in Central and South Florida. They they return pretty much the way they came. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher's non-breeding location is Central America. It's pre and post breeding areas are pretty much the same areas of the Northeastern United States. They Yellow-bellied Flycatcher's breeding area is primarily the lower Eastern portion of Canada. These two birds have a lot of similarities to their migration patterns. It is really interesting to see the varying patterns and different ways that birds manage their travels. I really enjoyed using this portion of the site that I had never used before.

My favorite birding spot is home in California. Right now we are seeing a lot of House Fiches, Oak Titmouse, Mourning Dove, Turkey Vulture, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Anna’s Hummingbird, American Crow, California Towhee, Red-shouldered Hawk, Bushtit, Raven, Western Bluebird, Song Sparrow, California Quail, Lesser Goldfinch to name some frequent visitors. I used a combination of EBird local checklists by date, Merlin likely birds and the Audubon ap to determine what birds I might see in January that are not visiting now. It seems I could begin watching for these birds later in the fall. Fox Sparrow, not on Merlin likely bird list, but Audubon shows this bird common here in the winter. The Golden -crowned Sparrow is a yearly winter visitor. Yellow-rumpled Warbler, considered rare but possible by Merlin. More likely in the winter than now. Townsend’s Warbler is also considered rare but is on the Merlin likely bird list. More likely to see in January than now. Ruby Crowned Kinglet should be visible in the winter. Say’s Phoebe are more scarce now but more likely in winter. I thought I saw one early spring so it will be nice to watch for this bird again.

Activity 1: Ruby-throated hummingbirds and Rufous hummingbirds: What stands out to me about these hummingbirds is that the Ruby-throated is located in the East side of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the Rufous are located in the West. For the Rufous, they travel north just on the very West of the United States by California, Oregon, and Washington, but on their way South, they go practically as far East as Nebraska. Activity 3: American Goldfinch: In the summer, the male American Goldfinch has bright yellow plumage with a black cap, black wings, and white wing bars. In the winter, the bird is pale yellow or tan with no black cap.

Activity 2. I Made a list of likely birds that I had not yet observed and a list of likely visitors. Studying the photos, sounds and behaviors of unobserved likely birds made it very easy to spot them. They had been there all along but just out of my awareness. Some of these birds include the Bewick’s Wren, White-Breasted Nuthatch and the Wrentit. Some recently observed visitors are the Hooded Oriole and the Black-headed Grosbeak.

Activity 2: I live on Vancouver Island, BC, where the climate is mild for most year, so many birds are here year-round. For comparison's sake, I chose the Anna's Hummingbird and the Rufous Hummingbird, both of which are at my feeder these days, but I won't expect to see the Rufous in the winter, although the Anna's will come to the feeder all year (and I make sure to keep the nectar from freezing on cold nights.) Black-headed Grosbeak made an appearance in May/June but I won't expect them in colder months, whereas the American Goldfinch could turn up anytime. I saw some Common Nighthawks flying one evening, but they stay around a short time here, but our Barred Owls and Bald Eagles are always around. Activity 4: It's August, so I would expect to see gulls, Black Oystercatchers, Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, and Cormorants in my favorite shoreline birding spots, and they'll there all year, but in six months from now, I would hope to see Mergansers, Buffleheads, and maybe Surf Scoters, and in late February, into March and early April, thousands of Brant Geese will stop for fuel on their way north, which is a very exciting event.

Activity 2: Birds that do and do not migrate in my area.

• I live in the Western Cape in South Africa, there are not many birds that migrate that live in my area. I have researched most of the birds and they are all mostly endemic to South Africa namely:
• Malachite sunbird
• Cape Batis
• Cape Bulbul
• Olive Woodpecker.
• Some birds that migrate to South Africa:
• Greater striped swallow is the only bird that visits our area and has built a nest against our house in previous years. It breeds in South Africa, it is migratory wintering further north in Angola & Tanzania
• White stork
• Yellow-billed kite
• European bee-eater
• Lesser Kestrel

Activity 2: Year- round residents:Black-capped Chickadees, Black-billed Magpies and House Sparrow. Non Year-round residents: Yellow Warbler, Sora, and Blue-Winged Teal. I have not seen Blue-Winged Teal and Sora at William Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, Canada before. I would like to know when special birds appear.

Activity 2: Some of the birds that Merlin says are likely in my locality, but I have not yet seen: Year Round Residents - Olive Backed Oriole, Spotted Pardalote, Red Browed Firetail Seasonal Visitors - Spangled Drongo, Little Friarbird, Yellow Tufted Honeyeater

Activity 3: The winter colors seem to be more subdued. Now I realize why the mallards always seem so flamboyant in the spring time when I typically can't remember them that way during other times of the year.

Activity 2: The year round residents in my area (Anchorage, Alaska), include the black-billed magpie, mallard and blackcapped chickadee, all of which I've seen. I also now understand that the dark-eyed junco is year round, so I will keep a look out in the winter for this charmer. Seasonal birds include the mew gull, arctic tern and red necked grebe, all of which I've seen. One pattern I notice is that the year round birds I see closer to my house and the season ones I see live in the lagoon/wetland a few blocks away. This lesson has been a good reflection on how the birds let me know what time of year it is, from the return of the gulls in the spring, the impending solstice and the early morning and late night song birds til the beginning of the Canada goose migration at of summer.

I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Right now, July, I see a variety of birds; Carolina Wren, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Blue Birds, American Gold Finch, Wood Thrush, Red Winged Black birds, Yellow Billed Cuckoos, Scarlet Tanagers and more. Six months from now I expect the blue birds, tanagers, cuckoos, wood thrush and maybe the blue jays will have migrated away. The Carolina Wrens and cardinals will stay all winter. We will also have an influx of migratory geese and many ducks in the next few months. I am wondering if the red winged black birds will migrate or stay?   In comparing summer and winter birds, I have mainly noticed that summer colors are vibrant and bright and winter colors have more brown. The brown is certainly good for blending in.

activity 1 Always to learn more about eBird.

My favorite birding place so far is Leslie Science and nature Center. So far I've seen a family oof Flickers there, as well as heard either a red-tailed hawk or a red-shouldered hawk. I thought it was a red-shouldered hawk. Anyway- I expect to find woodpeckers and hawks there regularly. There is also some kind of swallow in abundance, which may be a tree swallow. and may be purple martins. I do not expect to find purple martins, as they are a migratory bird. Flickers do move around, but they also live in Michigan throughout the year, so I would expect them to overwinter here. Red-tailed hawks also stay the winter- they expand their range during the breeding season, but there is always a population of them that remain here. Northern harriers have been sighted there. They are an interesting bird- they do migrate a bit, but a population remains in Michigan year round. There are fewer of them here in the summer, as some fly north to Canada.

Exercise #3 The American Gold Finch is a bright, bright yellow with black wings, a white rump, and white wing bars. It has a black cap in summer and a pale orange beak. In winter its plumage has much less yellow, although the face is still quite yellow, and in winter it no longer has a black cap. Instead it has much more white and tan colors, although it still has its black wings. The Common Loon is extremely striking, with a black head and black beak and red eye, and a black and white neck band and green neck band, and a black and white body and black and white stripes on its chest. It is also much more drab in winter. Its beak changes to a lighter color! It becomes a two-toned beak. And it loses its neck bands. Overall it becomes a two toned duck, with white on the underside and front of neck and face, and a light brown on its back and top of head and back of neck. Its eye is still the same red.

So there are Merlins, Mute Swans, and Hairy Woodpeckers year round in southeast Michigan, and I have seen all three. There is a group in town called 'Swan Friends" and they follow the breeding of all of the swans in the area, and I have seen them while driving by various lakes. There are Merlins year round, but the only one that I have seen, to my knowledge at any rate, is in captivity at the Leslie Science and Nature Center. I saw three hawks soaring above the University Hospital today and was unable to identify them. Hawks of all kinds are a common sight in this area. And of course, hairy Woodpeckers live here year round, and I have seen them at the bird feeder or in trees. The Acadia Flycatcher is here from late April until September or October, and I don't think that I have ever seen one. The American Redstart is also here from late April through September, as is the American Woodcock. I haven't seen any of these.

I really enjoyed this exercise, although I ended up with quite a lot of notes, and I still don't think that I understand the maps, For instance, for both the rufous hummingbird and the western tanager- according to the range maps both birds are found coast to coast, but according to the migration animation maps, they never are seen in Michigan, which is where I live. I realize the animation map shows the highest concentrations of them and not the total population. The Northern Cardinal doesn't migrate much at all, and can be found year round in Michigan and throughout its range, which covers most of the United States, the lower half of Canada, and Central America. The Blackburnian Warbler, by contrast, travels from Mexico to the bottom half of Canada in migration, spending the winters in the warmer climate of Central America and the summers up north. The Scarlet Tanager and the Western Tanager are both migrating birds, but the Scarlet Tanager migrates from the upper coast of South America and the Western Tanager from Central America. There is a bigger concentration of Scarlet Tangier's in the southern U'S during breeding season- the Western Tanger flies all the way up to Canada. Both the Rufous Hummingbird and the Ruby -throated hummingbird fly north from Central America- the range and concentration map shows that most of the rufous hummingbirds fly along the west coast into Canada, while the ruby-throated hummingbird migrates into the United States and Canada for the breeding season and back down to Central America for the winter. Sandhull crane vs. yellow-bellied flycatcher The Sandhill Crane is the most interesting so far- It is spread all over, and its migration is incomplete, in that some Sandhill Cranes stay down in Florida while most fly north as far north as the arctic and Alaska. But climate can’t be the driving factor in their migration if some of them stay in Florida for the summer. The Yellow-bellied flycatcher flies from Central American to Canada and back down again. Overall it has a very wide range as well, although not as wide a range as the Sandhill Crane.

Activity 3: - Male American Goldfinches: during the summer, the male American Goldfinch is bright yellow with black and white tail feathers and wings, a black crown, a bright orange beak, and a white rump. In the winter, however, the male American Goldfinch changes several things: its head is a duller yellow, its back turns into a light brown, its chest and belly become a very light brownish-yellow color that looks almost white, and its beak becomes a duller orange with some black surrounding it. Also, there seemed to be a dull gray stripe around its neck that wasn't there during the summer. What always stays the same is its white rump and black and white striped wings. - Common Loons in summer and winter: during the summer, the Common Loon has a black head which turns into a dark metallic green along the neck, which also has a line of white dots right at the top, and further down there is a line of white vertical stripes. The wings, back, and belly - it was sitting on the water at that moment, so I'm not so sure about the belly - are black with white dots that get smaller at the back of the bird. The biggest dots are squarish. The Common Loon also has a red eye and a long thick grayish beak.  The Common Loon in winter is different in almost every way. The wings, back, crown, and back of the neck are all a grayish-brown, and the rest of the body (the belly - also underwater at that moment -, and the neck) is white. The only thing that stays the same is the thick, long, grayish beak and the red eye.

Activity 2: Birds in my area all year round - 1) The Crimson-fronted Parakeet is one of the residents in my neighborhood. I have seen and photographed it recently. It is endemic from south-eastern Nicaragua to western Panama, and occurs in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, in which it is the most common parakeet: 2) The Great Kiskadee is also one of the year-round residents in my neighborhood. Even though I have not photographed it, I have heard and seen it around here. It is one of the largest Tyrant Flycatchers and it's common throughout most of Costa Rica. 3) The Clay-colored Thrush, the national bird of Costa Rica, is the last bird that I will mention, but there are still many others that occur year round around here. It is the national bird because of its incredible songs that it whistles from March to June. This bird is very common around here.   Birds in my area for part of the year - 1) The Summer Tanager is a bird that migrates north to breed during the months of June, July, and August, and comes back to Costa Rica (Central America) to winter. 2) The Chestnut-sided Warbler has a similar migratory pattern as the Summer Tanager: it migrates north to breed from mid-March to August, and then comes back to Costa Rica (Central America) to winter. 3) Yet another bird with a similar migratory pattern is the Broad-winged Hawk, a raptor: it migrates north to breed from June to September, and then comes back to Costa Rica (Central/South America) to winter.

• Activity 2: Three species year-round residents are Brown Pelican, Common Gallinule, and Yellow Warbler. Three species that only live for part of the year are American Redstart, Black Swift, and Wilson's Snipe. I have been able to see all of them in Puerto Rico. Wilson's Snipe was a lifer in December 2019.
• Activity 4: If I were to visit my favorite spot today, I could see Bananaquits, Puerto Rican Woodpeckers, Puerto Rican Flycatchers, Greater Antillean Grackles, Brown Pelican, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Mangrove Cuckoo, White-crowned Pigeon, and among others. If I came back in six months, I could see American Redstarts, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, Prairie Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ovenbird, and among others.

Activity 1: - Northern Cardinal with Blackburnian Warbler: the Northern Cardinal stays in the same areas all year round, although very few fly a little bit more south and west during the summer. On the contrary, the Blackburnian Warbler winters in the northern Andes Mountains and the mountains of Costa Rica, and then migrates up to northern U.S.A. and Canada to spend the breeding season during the summer. - Scarlet Tanager with Western Tanager: the Scarlet Tanager winters in the western Amazon rainforest, and then migrates up to northern U.S.A. to spend the breeding season during the summer. Similarly, the Western Tanager winters in western Central America and Mexico, and then migrates up to Pacific U.S.A. and Canada. - Ruby-throated Hummingbird with Rufous Hummingbird: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird winters in western Mexico and Central America, and then migrates along eastern U.S.A. until it reaches northern U.S.A. and Canada to spend the breeding season during the summer. Similarly, the Rufous Hummingbird winters in Pacific Mexico and migrates along Pacific U.S.A. until it reaches Canada. - Sandhill Crane with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: the Sandhill Crane winters in several spread out areas in southern and central U.S.A. and then migrates in a big group until it reaches Canada and Alaska. Similarly, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher winters in Central America and southern Mexico, and then migrates up to Canada.

Activity 2:  I was surprised at many of the birds in the explore birds section, as I had not seen quite a few of them.  I was surprised that robins were listed as year round, as it is unusual to see them in the winter.  I might see them once a year on a very nice day in the winter.  But seeing them typically is a sign of Spring to my friends and I. Cardinals and blue jays are also listed as all year, which matches my experience. I learned I should not expect to see the common grackle in the winter. The red-winged blackbird will be less common when I visit one of my favorite sites in the winter. I was surprised to see the following birds listed as summer birds in my area:  Indigo Bunting, tree swallow, orchard oriole, green heron, scarlet tanager, purple marlin.  I may have seen the female scarlet tanager, but never a red, male one.  Seeing any of these birds would make my day.   Many area (Maryland) birds which are common are relatively year-long, but not all.

Activity #1. I have great respect now for the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow-Bellied Flycatchers and so many others who fly such massive distances twice a year. Activity #2. In my Toronto area I often see Black-capped Chickadees, White-Breasted Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers year-round. But this year was the first time I became aware of migration patterns. In May, for one lovely week, I watched Orchard Orioles, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Looking forward to seeing them again in the autumn! Activity #3. I would never have recognized the Common Loon in its winter colours. I just recently became aware that the pale birds around our house in the dead of winter are the same American Goldfinches that are brilliant yellow all summer. Activity #4. At this time of year a few of our likely birds are Trumpeter Swans, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Indigo Buntings. I've seen the first two and am still looking for the third! In six months I'll be on the lookout for Hooded Mergansers, Pine Siskins and Merlins.

Activity 4: One of my favorite birding spots is the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. Right now, I would expect to see quite a few snowy egrets and American White Pelicans. I would also see Swainson's Hawks and Burrowing Owls and Western Kingbirds. In six months the landscape changes and breeding pairs of Bald Eagle return. You also see more Ferruginous Hawks at that point as well.

Activity 1--We noticed that the migration patters sometimes were the same directions, but on different sided of the country.  It was interesting to watch the movement and the increases and decreases in the population of certain areas. Activity 2 -- We looked at migration patterns of the birds we have identified so far.  Most of the birds are with us year round, such as the Spotted Towhee, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Oak Titmouse.  The one we found that is not with us all year us is the White-crowned Sparrow.  We saw this bird all winter, but it disappeared when the weather changed.  Since we are inexperienced birders, it was a validating experience when we saw that our observations were confirmed by reliable data.  Using the migration patters will be very beneficial as we begin to identify more and more birds. Activity 3 --We noticed that the male American Goldfinch, in the summer, has a pastel yellow body, an orange bill, and a black cap.  By winter, the bird had a brown body, a brown bill, and the black cap had disappeared.  The Common Loon, in the summer, had a black-green head, white spots and stripes all over the body, a black bill, and a dark blue chest band.  By winter, the body of the bird was brown, the bill was grey, there were no spots or chest band, and the chest was white. Activity 4--Because of Covid-19, our favorite birding spot is our back yard.  In our yard we have House Finches, Oak Titmice, Spotted Towhees, California Towhees, Mourning Doves, Black Phoebes, and Bewick's Wren.  All of these birds stay is Santa Clarita year round, but in the winter we have White-Crowned Sparrows, so in six months we can expect that. My granddaughter and I are taking this course together.  I am homeschooling her, and we incorporating this class into her science.  We have learned so much throughout this course and are turning into avid birdwatchers.  Birds just used to be feathers and sounds.  It is very empowering to know the names of our local birds, learn their habits, and recognize some of their songs (song ID is difficult).  Looking forward to being able to expand our birdwatching range soon. Our spotted Towhee:  

Activity 1:  I found it interesting that the migration north in the spring and south in the fall for some of the selected birds followed different patterns.  As a newcomer to bird watching, I am glad to know the birds I missed during the spring migration will be coming back in August and/or September, giving me another opportunity to see them.