Hummingbird News: March 5, 2014
Please Report
Your Sightings!
Report Your Sightings
Excitement abounds as hummingbirds slowly continue to arrive in coastal areas. Image of the Week
humm in NJ
What Do You Wonder?
Photo: C. Pascoe
News: Typical Migration
The rubythroat spring migration is typically spread over 2 - 3 months starting in early February. The staggered spring departures from Central America have been good for rubythroat survival, as there is less chance that a catastrophic weather event would wipe out the population. If you live along areas of first arrivals, keep your eyes and ears open and report your sightings.

Magic Kingdom, Florida
"First sighting of spring! An adult male ruby-throated hummingbird was feeding in the garden at 2 p.m. today." 02/25/14

Cannon Beach, Oregon
"Every spring, the return of the rufous is worthy of celebration! My winter Anna's resident wasted no time zooming in on our visitor and giving him a piece of his mind!
" 02/28/14

Welsley Chapel, Florida
"We saw our first female this afternoon at 4:20 p.m. at our backyard feeder. My earliest sightings previously have been during the first week of March." 02/28/14

Daytona Beach, Florida
"They are here! If I hadn't been outside I would have missed it. Two times I spotted a quick feed several hours apart." 03/01/14

by land or by sea?
Wintering Rufous
Photo: Beverly Logan
 
journal
More Observations
Explore: Surface Winds
Wind is a critical factor during hummingbird migration. A rubythroat's 500-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico would be nearly impossible without a tailwind, and dangerous with a headwind. This map shows surface-level wind speed and direction. Assuming hummingbirds are traveling near the surface, is this a good day to fly across the Gulf of Mexico?

early December, Alexander City, AL
Surface Winds
Courtesy: earth.nullschool.net
Ask the Expert: Opens Friday
What do you wonder about hummingbirds? These photographs represent snapshots about hummingbirds and ways we learn more about them. We hope they'll spark your curiosity for asking questions.

Capture your questions for our Hummingbird Expert Lanny Chambers. Starting Friday, March 7, you have two weeks to prepare and submit your questions to Ask the Expert!

Ask the Expert Will be Open
March 7 - March 21, 2014

photo gallery
Photo Gallery
Maps: Tracking Migration
Robin Migration: What to Report

Hummingbird Migration Map: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Hummingbird Migration Map: Rufous Hummingbird
What to Report Ruby-throated
report | map | list
Rufous
map |list
tnail of other species map nectar map Hummingbird Migration Map: Other Species
Other Species
map | list
Nectaring
map | list
Other Observations
map | list
Next Update March 12, 2014