Back to This Week's Update

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?

April 12: Marshall, North Carolina
My mom saw one at one of our feeders early in the afternoon and then I saw a male at a feeder later in the afternoon (around 3:30pm).

April 10: Vancover, British Columbia
4:01 in the afternoon a male rufous showed up for a quick flyby on the red flowering currant. Three days later than last year but still earlier than most years; keeping in mind this is only a first sight they could have been here earlier, in fact there are reports in Alaska before I have reported one. Happy days and love this site!

April 8: Gold Beach, Oregon
Hummingbirds flew over our house heading north all day on the 8th and again on the 9th. They were flying about 50 feet inland, just over the tops of the shore pines, and dipping almost to ground level through our yard. Some stopped to visit, most flew by like bullets. Also flying at a higher level that day were the swallows, a small yellow bird, and what looked like Starlings, one group of geese flew overhead that day.

April 9: Monroe, Oregon
Two male rufous hummers were chasing each other around my cedar trees.

April 9: Ivoryton, Connecticut
Heard the unique "zoom" sound and shortly thereafter there he was! Couldn't the feeder out fast enough. So good to have the little guys back!!

April 10: Travelers Rest, South Carolina
First ruby-throated hummingbird this year, spotted on tree then drinking from feeder at 7:00pm on 04/10/10. It appears to be a female and does not appear to be tired or thin but seems to be in robust good condition despite the extremely high winds and storms during the past three days.

April 11: Glasgow, Kentucky
Our first hummingbird of the year, male ruby- throated came and drank from all three feeders we had out. I also put a few red salvia plants and a 4ft by 4ft red piece of material to attract them. We recently had a frost in our area 04-09-10. Last year we had our first ruby-throated 03-30-09 so we were very excited to get our first hummingbird of the season.

• 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.

Gold Beach, Oregon. Migration sightings of a lifetime!