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Asking questions: Read these descriptions from observers. What 3 questions would you ask these observers so you could better understand how hummingbirds survive the winter in the United States?

March 25: Ashford, Washington
(46.77, -122.02)
The first rufus male was seen at one of my feeders this season. I am in the upper Nisqually valley near Mt. rainier National Park. We have rufous hummers here from late March until early August. The females arrive in April. I’ve been feeding them here for 30 years.

March 28: Black Creek, British Columbia
(52.3, -121.12)
We saw our first female Rufous today, the exact same date as last year. The first male Rufous was on the 16th of March.

March 27: San Antonio, Texas
(29.47, -98.53)
We were planting flowers in the backyard when a hummer buzzed my husband's head looking for a feeder that was on the shepard’s hook last year. I made sure a front and back yard feeder was up within the hour.

March 27: Round Rock, Texas
(30.52, -97.65)
First rubythroat (FOY) hit two of the feeders I've had hanging for a couple of weeks. Usually the Ruby Throats come in for a few weeks and leave. Then they return for a few weeks to fatten up on their journey back south.

March 25: Oceanside, California
(33.21, -117.36)
First Rufous female spotted in the yard for 2 days. Gone now.

• Reports from Other Observers: You can find all observations reported this week in the sightings database and on the on the rufous and rubythroat migration maps.

For Your Journal: Each week, choose your favorite hummingbird sighting and record your thoughts in your journal.

Hummingbird wings allow the birds to hover in one place. Amazingly, as they dart into and out of flowers they fly backwards and forwards with ease. Imagine wings so small and powerful!