Hummingbird Advance Continues
Great conditions continue for Ruby-throat hummingbird migration this week.
Farther Every Day
With each passing day this week the migration advanced steadily. In northern Ontario a student at Kerns Public School near New Liskearn caused great excitement when he spotted a male at the feeder. Practice your French to read another sighting from northern Quebec. Keep an eye on the map as the migrants begin to spread westward in northern US and Canada.
“J'étais dans la maison près d'une fenêtre lorsque j'ai aperçu un Colibri à gorge rubis mâle en train de capturer des insectes sous le soffite du toit de la résidence.” (I was in the house near a window when I saw a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird catching insects under the roof soffit of the residence.) Canton-Tremelay, Quebec on May 8th.
“I had just hung my feeders out when the hummingbird buzzed me. I was glad I did because there are no flowers of any kind blooming here yet. We still have frozen ground!” Meadowlands, Minnesota on May 8th.
“Male ruby-throated hummingbird was seen in my rural yard chasing a sparrow and feeding from a nectar feeder.” Harrington, North Dakota on May 10th.
Rufous and Other Species
Traveling nearly 4,000 miles, long distance Rufous hummingbird migrants have now reached Valdez in South Central Alaska.
“Late afternoon, I saw a very thin female, and later in the evening a male came to our feeders. Happy to welcome them back.” Valdez, Alaska on May 8th.
In the West several sightings of more than one species sharing feeders have been reported; Black-chins and Ruby-throats together in Texas, and Broad-tails and Black-chins in Arizona.
