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Journey North News will be posted on Thursdays: Feb 14, Mar. 7*, 14, 21*, 28, Apr. 4*, 11, 18*, 25, May 2*, 9, 16* (* Migration Data Only) Journey North News Hummingbird Migration Update: February 14, 2002 Rufous hummingbirds are now arriving along the south and central coast of Oregon! The first official migrant was tallied on February 5. Ruby-throats are still on their wintering grounds, and usually arrive in Gulf Coast states around the third week of February. Meanwhile, why are Rufous hummingbirds able to begin migrating northward so much earlier than Ruby-throats? Find out other ways these species differ in today's report and as we track their arrival this spring. Hummingbird Migration Update: February 28, 2002 Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still on their tropical wintering grounds with toasty temps and plenty of food while the first Rufous Hummingbirds already arrived up in Nanaimo, British Columbia, two weeks ahead of the previous record! Meet Bill Hilton Jr., who has banded over 2500 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and taught everyone a lot about hummer migration. And perform an experiment with a balance, thermometer, refrigerator and modeling clay to learn about the intriguing adaptation that helps hummers, the tiniest of all warm blooded animals, to survive cold nights. Hummingbird Migration Update: March 7, 2002 Just a quick update today to give you the latest data for your map. Watch for these "data only" updates every other week, between our regularly scheduled hummingbird updates. Hummingbird Migration Update: March 14, 2002 Despite snow and cold, both male and female rufous hummers are on the go! A female rufous carrying nest material was reported on March 10 in Waldport, OR, while rubythroat migration hasn't yet kicked in. Sightings still clustered along the coast. But flying is the ONLY way hummingbirds go. They can't walk! These tiny birds have so many unique adaptations for flying that their bodies have lost some other abilities. Dig into our newest hummer lesson and find out more while you wait for these amazing birds to arrive. Hummingbird Migration Update: March 21, 2002 Just a quick update today to give you the latest data for your map. Watch for these "data only" updates every other week, between our regularly scheduled hummingbird updates. Hummingbird Migration Update: March 28, 2002 Despite some cold weather, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are steadily advancing. In the West, Rufous Hummingbird females are catching up with the males, with more sightings inland away from the coast. The hummers zipping north right now are setting out and navigating by virtue of a clock, calendar, compass, and map--all crowded inside a brain smaller than an M&M. Why haven't scientists done much studying of hummingbirds intelligence? Explore some special adaptations of those tiny hummer heads. Hummingbird Migration Update: April 4, 2002 Just a quick update today to give you the latest data for your map. Watch for these "data only" updates every other week, between our regularly scheduled hummingbird updates. Hummingbird Migration Update: April 11, 2002 In the West, Rufous Hummingbirds are starting to nest! Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are marching steadily up the map, but the northward push wasn't as big as two weeks ago. Where are rubythroats this spring compared to last year? When the hummers return later or earlier, what might be the reason? Find out if ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate northward with a particular temperature. If we didn't have hummingbirds, would anyone in their wildest imagination dream one up? Hummingbird Migration Update: April 18, 2002 Hummers are making steady progress. Ruby-throats have reached the northern tier of states and even into southeastern Canada. And Rufous Hummingbirds have made it to Alaska! This brief data-only report will give you the latest data for your migration maps. Hummingbird Migration Update: April 25, 2002 The northern tier of states is filling out with Rubythroat sightings and into Canada too. "Heads up, the hummer wars begin!" wrote an Ontario observer when his first rubythroat appeared at the feeding station April 23. Rufous hummers continue into Alaska with multiple reports around Juneau. Hummingbirds twitter, but their voices don't carry far enough to be useful in declaring a territory. Learn how skydancing helps get the word out, and calculate a hummer's territory through fun and games. Hummingbird Migration Update: May 2, 2002 Rufous Hummingbirds have reached Yakutat, Alaska, and are moving inland. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been recorded in every eastern state and are creeping into the Great Lakes provinces. They're even in central Wisconsin, where 2 feet of snow fell this week! This brief data-only report will give you the latest data for your migration maps. FINAL Hummingbird Migration Update: May 9, 2002 Are your hummers back? Spring started with warm weather and some hummers migrated earlier than normal, but the cold April and May has slowed things down. Steadily working their way north, rubythroats are still shy of the cold area around Lake Superior, where snow was on the ground on May 8. Rufous hummers are slowly moving inland, away from the milder temperatures of the coast. And hummers already on the breeding grounds are nesting. What does a pair of hummers do to raise their two babies? And who does what? Play our "Survival" game to see how well you match hummingbird adaptations to human inventions designed for the same functions. (Next week: Final Data Only) FINAL Hummingbird Migration Update: May 16, 2002 (Data Only) This past week Ruby-throated Hummingbirds made steady progress into Canada and the Dakotas, and filled in the gaps in the northeastern states. Mike Patterson tells us that Rufous hummers "continue trickling east" into the mountains and beyond. This brief data-only report will give you the latest data for your migration maps. Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form