The first rubythroats have arrived at our observation post on the wintering grounds in Costa Rica!

Last year's first arrival was captured in this photo on October 24, 2015.
Patricia Nethercote     Bagaces, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

News From the Wintering Grounds

"I saw the first sighting of a mature male on Tuesday, October 11th," reported Patricia Nethercote from her home in Costa Rica where she's been waiting to announce the first arrivals. This year's hummers are little earlier than her average arrival date of October 21st.

"We are located in Bagaces, Guanacaste in the foothills of the Miravalles Volcano. The hummingbirds usually arrive here at one of the wettest times of the year, but weather is warm. Daytime temps are typically in the high 80º's or low 90º's. Nights are 10-15º cooler."

How Far?
Guanacaste, Costa Rica is more than 1,500 miles south of the Mexican border. Hummers that travel overland fly across 4 countries to get there — Mexico, Guatemala, Hondouras, and Nicaragua. The distance across these countries equals or exceeds the distance most hummers travel in the U.S. and/or Canada.

Use Google Earth to explore possible distances a hummingbird would travel along various migration pathways — over land and/or across the Gulf of Mexico.