DOI: 10.6073/pasta/4d82c48179a974aa5dfef5c24d99cb4e
title: Journey North - Gray Whale observations by volunteer community scientists across the Eastern Pacific Ocean (1997-2020)

description: This data package contains Gray Whale migration data consisting of 1,546 total observational reports from 1997 - 2020 across the Eastern Pacific Ocean. These data were collected by 163 community scientists for Journey North, a crowdsourced participatory science program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. The Journey North Gray Whale Project is a study of Gray Whale phenology conducted at broad spatial and temporal scales. Since 1997, community scientists have tracked the migration of Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus) through the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Observers also provide estimates of the number of whales sighted. However, observers do not follow standardized methods for counting species observed. Observers do not observe at set times of the day, do not repeat observations regularly, and are not required to provide the length of time during which a specified number of species observed were counted. Therefore, it is recommended that this dataset be analyzed to indicate presence not abundance. Researchers are encouraged to read the rich information provided by volunteers in their comments. These comments provide qualitative information about observational reports. Researchers are also encouraged to refer to submitted photographs that also provide context for observational reports. The Journey North Gray Whale Project dataset is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Web Hosting Service. This data package contains hummingbird migration data (1996 - 2020) across North and Central America collected by 30,703 community scientists for Journey North, a crowdsourced participatory science program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. The Journey North Hummingbird Project is an ongoing study of hummingbird phenology conducted at broad spatial and temporal scales. Since 1996, community scientists have tracked first arrival dates and breeding and feeding behavior as well as the onset of fall migration and presence of hummingbird species throughout the winter months in the United States. Focal species are the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) and Rufous Hummingbird. However, observational data is also available for Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae), Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphours sasin). Observers also provide estimates of the number of birds sighted. However, observers do not follow standardized methods for counting species observed. Observers do not observe at set times of the day, do not repeat observations regularly, and are not required to provide the length of time during which a specified number of species observed were counted. Therefore, it is recommended that this dataset be analyzed to indicate presence, not abundance. Additional contextual information is provided as text in the comments field of the dataset. The Journey North Hummingbird Project dataset is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Web Hosting Service.