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Asking questions: Read these descriptions from observers. What 3 questions would you ask these observers so you could better understand hummingbird behavior?

May 1: Darlington, Wisconsin
(42.70 N, -90.10 W)
Ruby Throated,Baltimore Oriole, Rose Breasted Grosebeak, showed up at the feeders within an hour of each other. I have been watching the northward movement and was ready for their arrival. We still have frost in the morning.

May 3: Edwardsburg, Michigan
(41.80 N, -86.02 W)
Have had feeders out for about two weeks. Today a male looking very thin fed several times before flying to red maple and resting. Quite a bit earlier than last year.

May 3: Kingston, New Brunswick
(45.5 N, -65.97 W)
After checking a Hummingbird Migration Map, we noticed the Hummingbirds would soon arrive,so we put out our Hummingbird feeder on Saturday April 30, 2011. This morning (May 3, 2011) just before 7:00 am we saw our first Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (male) at the feeder.

May 1: Morrison, Colorado
(39.58 N, -105.23 W)
They seem to be a couple of weeks late this year. They are usually here on tax day.

April 30: Midway, Arkansas
(36.29 N, -92.44 W)
This afternoon we returned home and as we started up our porch stairs. spied what we thought was a large bumblebee flying from one dandelion to another. As we looked a little closer, we realized that it wasn't a bumblebee but the tiniest hummingbird we've ever seen! He could not have been more than an inch long! My husband tried to capture photos with his cell phone, but they just weren't clear enough to more properly identify our tiny visitor. Was this a baby hummingbird or do we have a different species than those already established in our area?

April 30: Potlatch, Idaho
(47.01 N, -116.95 W)
Our first hummingbird this year was a male Calliope. They usually show between the second and third week of April, but they are late this year. We've had a record cold April, and spring in general. Maybe they will bring Spring with them.

April 29: Elgin Air Force Base, Florida
(30.57 N, -86.54 W)
A full grown Ruby-throated male. I believe it is Emerald who I hand raised last year. He only flew to his past favorite feeder even thought I had 7 feeders out. Last year I used that spot for his perch lessons so it was his favorite area to rest and feed once he could fly. Another reason I believe it is Emerald is due to his flight pattern and tree selections. He was repetitious in his daily visits until his migration. I am so happy he is back and grown so beautifully.

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

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

Photo: Alek Komarnitsky
Two young hummers with mom delivering a meal. Which bird is bigger? These birds are almost ready to fledge.