Slowly Advancing
Tiny and determined despite the weather, Ruby-throats made a slow but steady northward advance this week.
Weather and Migration
Hummingbirds may be tiny, but they are determined each spring to migrate north to their breeding grounds. Even after weather conditions brought another massive front bringing rain and wind, hummers are continuing on their migration north. This week Ruby-throats were welcomed by many thrilled observers across Kentucky and Tennessee. One early bird even sprinted north to a garden in Kokomo, Indiana!
Clean and fresh feeders will attract the birds - so will flowers. Watch the map and get ready with your feeders and flowers as the migration advances.
“At 1:40 pm our male flew in like a jet to the kitchen window feeder, perched and looked around to see if he needed to defend his feeder, then sat and drank. HB’s have arrived!” Murphy, North Carolina on April 4th.
“Finally!! I put my feeders up 2 weeks ago and after about 5 nectar changes I finally got to see my first Ruby-throat.” Lebanon, Tennessee on April 3rd.
Western Hummingbird Sightings
Rufous hummingbirds are moving up the Pacific Coast with sighting reports now from along the east side of Vancouver Island, BC. More Black-chins have been sighted in mountain states. We are still early into spring migration, so there will be plenty to see and report in the coming weeks!
“Heard the distinctive ringing sound of a male hummingbird in my densely planted orchard, but no sighting yet. Both feeder levels are going down.” Edgewood, New Mexico on March 2nd.
