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Hummingbird Migration Update: April 16, 1998 Latest Migration News & Data (LOTS of it) Suggestions for Analyzing Hummingbird Data Flies to the Rescue! Weather and Songbird Migration by Dr. David Aborn Latest Migration News & Data Report the FIRST hummingbird you see this spring to Journey North! In the past 2 weeks, ruby-throated hummers have fully invaded the U.S. Gulf States--and early sightings have been reported as far north as New York and Michigan. One hummer has even crossed the U.S. border and entered Canada! But according to observers on the West Coast, rufous hummers are way out ahead. The first few have already reached Alaska! On April 8th a sighting was reported from Juneau--at 58N. Suggestions for Analyzing Hummingbird Data As you review the latest migration data, here are some questions to consider: What average latitude has the ruby-throated hummingbird migration now reached, taking into account all records reported April 2-16? What can you say about temperatures at those latitudes? Compare these latitudes--and temperatures--to those that the rufous hummingbird has reached. Describe how they are they different--or similar. How do you interpret the many first sightings of ruby-throated hummers that are still coming from Texas, OK and other Gulf States? Links to Hummingbird Migration Data Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Rufous Hummingbirds Visit the "Hummingbirds" WWW Site for the Latest Migration Maps Ruby-throated Rufous NOTE: Because so many hummingbird sightings collect during the 2 weeks between our migration updates, we'll try to send a data summary next Thursday, April 23rd. Flies to the Rescue During early spring when temperatures are cool, a tiny hummer's survival is often at stake. A feeding station may mean the difference between life and death for one hummingbird too close to the edge to make it on its own. In addition to a nectar feeder, you can set out tiny flying insects for hummers. How? Get a mesh onion bag, and fill it with chunks of banana and melon. In a day or two, fruit flies will start swarming about. It's not only fun to watch hummers zipping about at one of these buggy feeders, it's very nutritious for them. Hummingbirds give us a lot of beauty and entertainment. It's nice for us to sometimes return the favor. The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will be Posted on April 30, 1998 (Migration Data Will be Posted Next Thursday, April 23rd.) Copyright 1998 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.