Ruby-throats were carried north on a river of wind over the weekend. Some flew 500 miles beyond the leading edge - up to Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario, and into the northeast.

"This is the earliest spring migration I've ever mapped," wrote Lanny Chambers, hummingbird bander and our JN expert, "but its progression up the major river valleys has been quite typical."

"Twelve years ago, my first sighting was in mid-May. Now males start arriving between April 10th and 15th," reported Leonard in Nottingham, New Hampshire on April 15th.

"Our feeder goes out when the Bradford Pear blossoms open, which was yesterday, April 15th. Today we had our first hummingbird, a male." wrote Jean in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Other Western Species
Rufous are moving further east with more sightings in Montana this week. Calliopes, Broad-tails, and Black-chinned hummingbird populations are being sighted. Many endured recent cold and snowfall in the Colorado and New Mexico Rockies.