Excitement Builds
Migratory activity remains high throughout North America. It won't be long before hummingbirds reach the northern limits of their breeding ranges. Keep reporting your observations to Journey North and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day this Saturday, May 14.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
From Manitoba to Prince Edward Island, the leading edge of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration is moving into Canada. It will not be long before Ruby-throats reach the northern limits of their breeding range. How does this year’s pace of migration compare to previous years? Explore our maps and see if you notice any trends.
Linda in Five Islands, NS: “6:02 pm, first little guy of the season.” (05/06/2022)
Dale in Brandon, MB: “1st hummer of the year—a male seen on feeder and then flew into our lilac bush. He had a nice little rest and then flew off again. Welcome back little jewels!!” (05/07/2022)
Louise in Wawa, ON: “We were just discussing and staring at this hummingbird feeder hanger and how we should get another one like this for the front window and voila, our first hummingbird of the season. Welcome home little hummer!” (05/08/2022)
Wayne in McKinleyville, NB: “My first male Ruby-throated Hummingbird landed here at 8:30 pm this evening..nice to see them back.” (05/09/2022)
Wanda in Montague, PE: “Ruby-throated, male.” (05/09/2022)
Rufous Hummingbird
Some Rufous Hummingbirds are arriving near the northern limit of their breeding range in Southcentral Alaska. And others are still migrating through the interior U.S. and Canada.
Susan in Columbia Falls, MT: “1st sighting of Rufous Hummingbird. Not much in bloom yet so got my feeder’s out. They usually return right around Mother’s Day.” (05/05/2022)
Christopher in Burmis, AB: “First Male Rufous of the year!” (05/07/2022)
Howard in Portage, AK: “We have seen/heard (ducked) as the males are swooping to joust for position by our feeders. We banded over 250 Rufous last summer at the AWCC and look for even better numbers now that word is apparently spreading!” (05/09/2022)
Other Species
Colorado remains a hotspot for Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Farther north, Calliope Hummingbirds are moving through Idaho.
Patrick in Colorado Springs, CO: “This is shaping up to be a good hummer year. Today we had at least 2 Black-chinned males, 2 Broad-tailed males, and 2 females.” (05/02/2022)
Pam in Kamiah, ID: “First male calliope at feeder.” (05/08/2022)
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day: “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night”
World Migratory Bird Day is this Saturday, May 14. Journey North is proud to join with you, our volunteers, and many others who believe strongly that migratory birds connect us with their unique songs and flights, and remind us of the importance of working together, across borders, to protect them.
The theme of this year’s celebration, “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night,” focuses on the impacts of light pollution on migratory birds. Most birds migrate at night and need dark skies to safely navigate between their breeding and non-breeding grounds. There are many things we can all do to reduce artificial light at night. Learn more and see tips at migratorybirdday.org/takeaction.
Join the global celebration by listening to and watching birds wherever you find yourself this weekend. And report your hummingbird and other bird observations to Journey North.
