Migration Update: May 9, 2012
Please Report
Your Sightings!
Report Your Sightings
Weather conditions were in place for a surge in the rubythroat migration last week. Over 500 reporters spotted their first hummingbird of the season. Once they arrive they may stay and raise a family. This week you're invited to peek inside a hummingbird nest and watch the tiny birds grow. Let us know what you think; fill out our Annual Evaluation.

Today's Report Includes:

Image of the Week
in the tiny nest
Credit: Dorothy Edgington
So Tiny
News: Migration Surges North
Migration surges—full steam ahead
Weather conditions were in place for the migration to surge forward last week. The northern tier states and southern Canada reported over three and a half times more "first" rubythroat sightings than the week before. The map animation gives you an idea of the strength of the migration.

Will they stay?
Will your hummingbirds be staying for the season, or just making a pit stop on their way further north? Time and behavior will tell. "I saw my hummingbirds, Harold & Henry today for the 1st time this season," reports Sue Scribner in Danbury, CT. "Harold always flies to the south treeline of my yard and Henry always flies to the north treeline. I knew earlier today that they finally arrived because a couple of feeder tubes went down quite a bit today."

Other Hummer Species Moving
As the rubythroats are moving north and west, the rufous hummingbirds are marching eastward. Almost along a line, they are sweeping into Montana, Idaho and northern Utah despite the cool temperatures. "First rufous spotted. Still having frosty mornings here," writes a reporter from Emmett, Idaho.

Calliopes, black-chinned, black-tailed and annas hummer sighting reports continue to come in as the birds make their way north and west into the mountains of the west.

maps
Surge in first sightings: 3-4 times more than previous week!
Maine sighting
Photo: Jane Davis
Woodstock, Maine
northern oriole
Orioles and hummers arrive at the same time in many locations, sometimes sharing feeders!
Slideshow: A Hummingbird Nest

A female hummingbird has been busy collecting soft and strong materials for her nest. Now she is about to lay tiny, jellybean-sized eggs in her nest. You're invited to peek inside the nest and welcome the nestlings into the world. Study each photograph and describe what you see happening.

book
Slideshow
Latest Maps
Each hummingbird species has a large-sized week-to-week animation map. Click below each map to watch the progress of each migration. After studying the animated maps write 3 things you notice, and 3 questions.

 

journal
Journal Page
ruby map ruby map ruby map
Ruby-throated
(map | animation | sightings)
Rufous
(map | animation | sightings)
Other
(map | animation | sightings)
Annual Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts
Please take a few minutes to complete our Annual Evaluation. We welcome your feedback!

Journey North Annual Evaluation
The next Hummingbird migration update will be posted on May 16, 2012.