Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Migration Update: May 8, 2008

Today's Report Includes:

Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

What's the Story?
Discover! >>
Photo: Sam Alfano
The Migration: Highlights, Maps, and Questions

Distribution Map

Rufous
Hummingbird

This Week's Animation >>
Sightings >>

Ruby-throated
Hummingbird

This Week's Animation >>
Sightings >>

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

Highlights: Hummers by the Hundreds!
"A male ruby-throated hummingbird was hovering at my window for several seconds," writes an observer from Strodes Mills school in Mcclure, PA. "He was facing southwest and the direct sunlight caused his throat to sparkle like rubies"! Meanwhile, students in Ohio spotted one "gleaning insects off many of the garden plants." Yet another careful observer guessed that rubythroats had arrived before she even saw any. How? She saw their droppings! (How big do you think those are?)

We had a record number of hummer reports this past week (250), and more are pouring in every day. (Watch this week's animation! >>) What caused that? Probably the high pressure system that followed last week's low. Not to mention the wave of blooming plants and hatching insects stretching from border to border — and beyond. Have you spotted a hummer yet? When you do, please report it >>. Your sightings help us all learn more about hummingbirds, their timing, and our changing climate.

Many observers reported another feathered visitor showing up along with rubythroats. See his snapshot and find out what they have in common: Highlights from the Migration Trail. >>

Keep your eyes on the rufous hummers, too. They continue to push east to dine on mountain wildflowers. Where will they head from there? Stay tuned. Meanwhile, let's peek inside some nests!
Journal: Nest Pictures Tell a Story

What can you discover when you visit a Rufous nest stuffed with two nestlings? Use your observation skills, then write about what you see in your Hummingbird Journal!

  • What's Happening in this Nest? (photos) >>
  • Write your observations in your Hummingbird Journal. >>

Photo: Damon Calderwood >
Slideshow: Peek into a Hummer Nest!

Slideshow / Handout

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 for 22 days!

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

  • Handout: What I Think Happens in a Hummingbird Nest >>

Teachers: The migration is wrapping up in the next few weeks!

What Have We Learned?
Hummingbird Migration Assessment Tools >>
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>
Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation? (We'll still send hummer reports until June 5.)

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

It's a Hummingbird's Life
by Irene Kelly
(grades K-4) >>
  • JN for Kids Photo Studies: Stunning hummingbird photos and video clips along with observation questions >>
  • Reading/Slides: What Happens in a Hummingbird Nest? >>
  • Reading/Writing: Rubythroat Nesting Phenology >>
  • Hummingbird Arrivals: Rubythroat Chart and Rufous Chart
  • Assessment Tools: What Have We Learned About Hummingbirds? >>
  • Tips: How to Help Hummingbirds and Their Habitat >>
  • Video Clip: One Minute with a Hummingbird >>
  • Children's Books We Like: It's a Hummingbird's Life >>
More Hummingbird Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 15, 2008.

© 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.