Dear Editor:
In honor of Earth Day on April 22, I am reporting my first solitary male Robin (Turdus migratorius) sighting in Washington Park, Union City, on March 22, 2014. This accords with waves of robins reported during week of April 5-18 in our region by spring migrant bird trackers. Citizen scientists across North America are encouraged to report their bird sightings and an informative web site to consult is Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdCast. I would ask and appeal to city park employees, parents, Union City teachers and fascinated residents, to start such a citizen scientist annual Robin sighting project in Union City to coincide with spring and fall migrations. Observation and pioneer field work are crucial steps to scientific investigation.
Bird observation and exploration can assist budding scientists, citizen scientists, ecologists, and naturalists build skill for such a vital discipline. Let’s hope that Union City’s Commissioner of Parks and Public Property, Mr. Valdivia, encourages such citizen scientist activity on Earth Day with as much enthusiasm as expended for Election Day canvassing.
Your ever-happy Naturalist,
Tony Squire