A big week for hummingbird movement

As spring progresses, birds are progressing north. Here in Wisconsin, I’ve enjoyed the woodcock’s courtship displays, the influx of native sparrows, my first warbler of the year, and a couple of brown thrashers, among my favorite spring singers.

In short order, that list may include my first hummingbird, if recent sightings are any indication. 

Over the past few days, hummingbirds have been spotted making a big leap north, including here in Madison, Wisconsin, where Jean reported one on April 18. Two other reports have come in from the Milwaukee area.

Wisconsin joins a list of Midwest states and provinces with their first sightings recently that also includes Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario.

Some timed the hummers’ arrival perfectly.

“I could not believe it, an hour after putting my hummingbird and oriole feeders out, which I thought was too early,” Deb in Germantown, Wisconsin, wrote on April 19, writing that not a lot is blooming yet. 

“I was very surprised to see this little one,” wrote Michelle in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 20. “The feeders had only been up a few days.” 

Others felt the hummingbirds were arriving a little earlier than usual. Mary in Highland, Illinois, reported a hummingbird on April 21, “a week earlier than usual.”

In Metamora, Michigan, Denny said it was “the earliest sighting for this area ever” after a male hummingbird showed up on April 22.

The northernmost hummingbird report is from New Tecumseth, Ontario, where Evelyn reported one on April 16. 

“I was shocked to see it,” Evelyn wrote from New Tecumseth, just northwest of Toronto.

East Coast arrivals

Along the East Coast, hummingbirds spread joy all the way up to Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. 

“This is our earliest first sighting,” wrote Kim in Oxford, Connecticut on April 21. “Average is about a week later."

Most sightings came from coastal areas at the northern extent of this week’s hummingbird movement, but there were a few from inland areas, including John’s report from Bloomington, New York, which read, “Our first guest has arrived.” 

The inland edge of the migration is just north of Pennsylvania’s southern border, with sightings dotting the map from Pittsburgh east.

“Happy Easter to me. 7:15pm at the feeder, which I had put fresh nectar in 10 minutes earlier. Been tracking the arrival in other parts of the state,” wrote Cathy in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, on April 20. “Stayed around for 45 minutes drinking long gulps. Last year he arrived on 4/24 but weather has been warm lately. Glad the season has begun:)”

Rufous movement

Rufous hummingbirds have moved to the Juneau, Alaska, area. Gwen reported a female on April 10 and Robert and Sandi reported a male the same day, writing, “Took a good long drink. Happy to see them again.”

Report your sightings

Want to be part of the fun? Watch the Journey North maps to see when hummingbirds are approaching your area. When you see your first one, report it to us. Your comments and photos may be used in future Journey North newsletters.