End of 2020 Fall Migration

Another Great Season – Thank You!

What a fascinating fall migration season it has been! Journey North citizen scientists have contributed over 8,000 hummingbird reports (and counting). Thank you for all your submissions and all you do on behalf of hummingbird tracking. Your observations provide valuable information and paint a real-time picture of hummingbird migration. Amid these difficult times, we hope these updates have provided you a sense of joy and wonder. 

Still Seeing Rubies

Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds remain on the move and have yet to reach wintering grounds.

Lora in San Antonio, TX: “A young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has been in the yard for a couple of weeks, nectaring from flowers and from the feeder.” (11/17/2020)

This individual in Wisconsin has a real long way to go! Safe travels.

Tammy in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: “I have been seeing this little guy since the beginning of November. I’m continually changing out feeders to keep them from freezing.” (11/24/2020)

More Surprising Sightings

One of the notable takeaways from this season has been the collection of Rufous reports in locations outside their expected range. It will be interesting to see if a pattern emerges over the next few seasons.

Amy in Manhattan, KS: “We have had a Rufous hummingbird coming to our feeders this fall. We don’t usually see Rufous’s in our area. This hummingbird stayed around through mid-November.” (11/17/2020)

Alice in East Islip, NY: “This hummingbird has been here since 10/30/2020 … Most people suspect this is an immature Rufous as they have been seen during our winters here on Long Island.” (11/18/2020)

Out West

Reports of Anna’s Hummingbirds continue to pick up. Some are year-round residents while others migrate only a short distance.

Robin in Astoria, OR: “Male and female Anna’s visit my feeder every day and will be here year-around.” (11/18/2020)

Mary in Alamogordo, NM: “Today I saw two hummingbirds. I see my male juvenile Anna’s quite frequently for about a month on most days… Today I finally saw the other hummingbird that I believe is possibly a female Anna’s because of its green flanks and the noise it makes sounds similar to my male juvenile Anna’s.” (11/19/2020)

Winter Reporting 

Although we are taking a short hiatus from our weekly updates, hummingbird activity carries on. In the Western US and along the Gulf Coast, south Florida and the southern Atlantic coast, some hummingbirds can still be seen throughout the winter months. We will send periodic email updates in December, January and February to Journey North subscribers in these regions. Are more hummingbirds overwintering in the US than in years past? You can help fill knowledge gaps. Please keep reporting your observations. You might just have an unexpected encounter!

Diana in Schriever, LA: “I was informed yesterday that I possibly have an immature Calliope [Hummingbird] in my yard for the 1st time. 2 banders agreed by looking at photos.” (11/17/2020)

Thanks again for following along and sharing your observations. Until next time!