By mid-September, the hummingbirds you are seeing are likely migrants on the move, not your familiar summer residents.

Passing Through
For over 6 weeks, an observer in Houston has been watching a hummingbird parade.

"We have had rubythroats coming through since the last week of July. Almost all of them male or sub-adult male. One that came August 30 is still manning 4 feeders," reported B.L. on September 10th.

You can probably recognize these temporary visitors when you see them by the way they explore your flowers and feeders so tentatively.

A Changing Mix
Southerners are now seeing fewer adult males. This signifies that the migration's leading edge — made up of adult males — has already moved through.

"Very hard to count! Estimating 50 hummingbirds. The mix is about 10% adult males, 40% sub-adults and 50% females," reported Kenneth from Willis, Texas on September 8th.

Leaving Soon?
Along the migration trail, observers continue to report hummingbird departures. There are clear signs that the females and juveniles, steadily nectaring at flowers and feeders, are getting ready to leave soon.

"After several weeks of continuous nectaring by many hummers, today is the first day without one observation," reported Lynn from Liverpool, NY on September 6th.

Keep your feeders up at least two weeks after you've seen your last hummer. Stragglers or young juveniles may need more time to grow before leaving.