My, how far these whales go!

One of our most popular lessons!

Dear Friends,

It’s whale migration time in the Northern Hemisphere!
Each year, the world’s giant whales migrate thousands of miles from their summer feeding grounds to their winter breeding grounds in warmer waters. It is February and, upon writing this, most of the Northern Hemisphere baleen whales are traveling south to their winter homes. Many have already arrived and some have had their babies along the way.

While in the warm, safe waters of their breeding grounds, the mother whales nurse their babies with their nutritious milk and teach them how to play and swim. It is a glorious time for whales as mothers bond with their calves — and the rest of the adult whales relax, socialize and mate in the warm, protected waters. The mothers and calves will remain there until the calves are strong enough for their first strenuous northern migration to their summer feeding grounds — and they will make that long journey swimming right by their mother’s side.

The Eastern Pacific Gray Whales are believed to make the longest migration of any mammal. I found their journey and resiliency so awe-inspiring that I wrote a song in their honor. It’s called “Migration” and is featured in my lesson and music video by the same name. Watch the videos below and sing along with me as you learn more about these amazing whales. Teachers and parents, let the learning deepen with our interactive companion lesson in Google Doc Format.

Your whale-loving friend,

Birdsong