Hummingbirds depart, bringing joy on their southern path

We’re getting to the tail end of hummingbird migration, with most adult male hummingbirds gone from northern breeding grounds, leaving juveniles and some females for birders in these areas to enjoy, even if it’s only for a little bit longer.

Some male hummingbirds head for warmer weather as early as July. Still, most migration happens near the end of August or beginning of September, making for quiet feeders and pollinator gardens that were full of life a month ago.

But that annual departure brings joy to people in other places, where hummingbirds are once again plentiful. Prairieville, Louisiana is one of them.

“This summer has been the worst in 40 years with no hummers. Weeks between sightings with 4 feeders out year-round,” John in Prairieville wrote on Sept. 7. “Then in two days the yard is full of hummers. I have counted 12 at one time between the 4 feeders. Guess the migration is on!”

John followed up on Sept. 12: "After a summer of no hummers in the yard, the yard is now full. The four feeders keep 2-3 hummers feeding with others fighting to get food. Don't know where they have been all summer but they are getting ready to migrate and eating all day."

Sophie in Kernersville, North Carolina was getting ready to wave goodbye to this year’s batch of males, writing on Sept. 12 that males typically leave between Sept. 6 and 14 and only 12 to 18 hummingbirds were remaining from this summer's typical 24 to 30.

“Most of our sweet adult females also leave about the same time, or just shortly thereafter, and many of the juveniles from the first clutches also do so. The adult females and juveniles also find me to say ‘goodbye,’” Sophie wrote. “A bittersweet time of year for me, as I love fall, but I also miss my little jewels dearly when they leave.”

Elsewhere in North Carolina, it’s been busy for Kelly in Marshall.

“I have been feeding hummingbirds for over 10 years and have never seen so many fighting over my feeders. I keep them separated throughout my yard and on different sides of the house and porches,” Kelly wrote. “There are too many to count but my husband and I think we got to 50 or more... I have 11 feeders and each one has a boss.”

Sightings from the north

It’s not all over for hummingbird lovers in the north, especially as warm temperatures persist. This week, hummingbird reports have come in from as far north as Ste-Geneviève, Manitoba (longitude 49.7) and Harshaw, Wisconsin (longitude 45.7).

“This one is still hanging around… This year has set a new record for me,” wrote Thomas in Harshaw on Sept. 14. “The latest date to still have one here. Typically my last sighting has been around September 10th in previous years.”

And as always, there may be a few stragglers or late movers, so if the hummingbirds near you have left, there may still be one or two moving through. Last year, Deanna in Champaign, Illinois reported a hummingbird on Nov. 7 and Julie in Nashville, Michigan reported a hummer on Nov. 1.

“Female ruby-throated hummingbird seen this am at feeder. Hadn't seen any hummers at feeder for a day so believe she is traveling south,” wrote Mary in Wayland, New York on Sept. 10.

If you think you’ve seen your last hummingbird of the year, it’s never too early to start counting down to their spring return. The first report from New York was April 2 last year. 

Only 196 days to go.

Report your sightings

Whether you're seeing the last northern hummingbirds, your southern yard is full of life, or somewhere in between, report your observations to Journey North.

Thank you for your reports!