Hummingbird Migration Update: May 3, 2007

Today's Report Includes:

Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

What's happening? Take a close look! >>

Photo: Damon Calderwood >
The Migration: Maps, Questions, and Highlights

Distribution Map

Rufous
Hummingbird

This Week's Map >>
Sightings (for your maps) >>
Week-by-Week Animation >>

Ruby-throated
Hummingbird

This Week's Map >>
Sightings (for your maps) >>

Week-by-Week Animation >>

Handouts: Today's Hummingbird Map Questions
Rufous Questions >                Rubythroat Questions > 

Highlights: Celebrating Peak Migration!
The early birds may be settling down to build territories and nests, but the peak migration is buzzing: Nearly 120 new Rubythroat reports this week! Observers shared tales of "awesome" hummers looking for nectar in feeders, flowers, and even on paintings. Have they reached into every state and province? Don't forget to explore today's map questions and to report your own sightings.

Look at the Rufous map to find this week's most northern report. It's up in Seward, Alaska — nearly 500 miles from the next nearest Rufous sighting. That's about the end of the trail for these hummers! Although rufies are still traveling north, they seem to be heading inland — and to higher elevations — in even larger numbers. Take a look from space and discover why. >

Most of us never get to see hummer nestlings. You'll have lots of chances in this update. But first, read what some keen-eyed observers shared this week:

  • Highlights from the Migration Trail >
Journal: Mother Hummer Baby Care

All over the map, female hummers are involved in a very important task. Click to see a larger photo >>

  • Imagine you are this mother hummer. Describe how you prepared for and now care for your nestlings. How have you helped them survive?

  • Write your story in your Hummingbird Journal >>

Photo: Ed Robertson

Slideshow: A Peek into a Hummer Nest

Slideshow >>

A female hummingbird is about to lay eggs the size of jellybeans. You're invited to peek inside, welcome the nestlings into the world, and watch them grow! (Print a handout, too, so you can write about what you observe.)

  • Slideshow: What Happens in a Hummingbird Nest? >>

  • Handout: What I Think Happens in a Hummingbird Nest >>
Discover! Are Flashy Throats for Real?
Scroll over image. Which throat color is real?

As you observe hummers this season, you just might think your eyes are playing tricks on you! Do your Ruby-throated hummers look like the one to the right? Or do they look like the one you see when you scroll your mouse over the picture? What's up?

Explore more! >>


Photo: Russ Thompson
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation?

Only with your help can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. The information you provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. Thank you!


Year-end
Evaluation >>

This Week's Hummingbird Resources
  • Tips (Practice): How to Report Your Sightings >>
  • Habitat How-to : Fill 'Er Up: Keep a Hummingbird Feeder >>
  • Slideshow: 22 Days in a Hummingbird Nest >>
  • Journey North for Kids: Inside a Hummingbird Nest >>
  • Mapping: Key Lessons & Resources: Making, Reading and Interpreting Maps >>
More Hummingbird Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 10, 2007