Migration News: April 8, 2016
By Mary Hosier
 

Female Rubies arriving! This week Ruby-throat migration advanced north into Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

rufous in pollen
Female Ruby-throat    Robert Pearson

News: Females Arriving
Here they come! This week female Ruby-throat sightings have been reported from Texas, Mississippi, and Georgia. Birds continue to move up the Atlantic Coast. Stronger winds out of the north are due this week.

"One male, one female - both seen April 2nd and 3rd at feeders on my property," Robert reported from Warner Robins, Georgia.

"Watching the eastern bluebirds from my porch when a single Ruby-throat came to where I normally hang my feeder," reported Jim on April 7 from Mills, Massachusetts.

Rufous Moving East
Rufous begin moving east as temperatures warm and blooming plants become available. One observer reported Rufous from the Washington-Idaho border:

"Saw my first customer to the juice bar this morning, so excited! They arrived two weeks earlier than last year," Jenifer reported from Otis Orchards-East Farms April 4th.

Other Western Species
Calliopes, Buff-bellied, Black-chinned...the list goes on for first species sightings this week. Watch the maps to estimate when you'll see your first hummingbird.


female Ruby-throat
Females Arriving
 
Ruby flying to feeder
Photo Evidence
 
wind map
Winds and Migration
Explore: The Gorget

A hummingbird's neck feathers, most colorful in males, is called a gorget (gôrjit). How would you describe this fascinating set of feathers? Describe and investigate.

hummer gorget
 
Report Your Sightings
Hummingbird Migration: What to Report

Hummingbird Migration Map: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Hummingbird Migration Map: Rufous Hummingbird
What to Report Ruby-throated
map | animation | sightings
Rufous
map | animation | sightings
tnail of other species map Hummingbird Migration Map: Other Observations nectaring map
Other Species
map | animation | sightings
Other Observations
map | list
Nectaring
map | list
 
Next Update April 15, 2016