Hummingbird Spring Migration 2019
It's time to start thinking about hummingbirds in your garden! Granted they probably won't actually be here in New England until the middle of April or beginning of May, but why quibble?
For years I've been posting screenshots of the migration map that's posted on hummingbirds.net but that map has now been discontinued. The producer of the map has given the following explanation:
"Google has stopped offering free, anonymous use of its map API, which partially automated the location of sightings by zip/postal code using a utility a smart fellow wrote for me (and which I do not understand). I am not interested in fundraising, learning API programming, or opening a Google developer account. As a result, producing this map is no longer practical, and I'm not looking for alternatives. Thanks to all of you for your participation and support over 23 migration seasons, and my apologies for any inconvenience.
If you want to know when migrants will reach your location, the historical maps are still available for reference. I encourage you to follow the migration and report your sightings at the Journey North website."
This was a wonderful endeavor and I'm so sorry it can't continue for reasons outside of her control.
I'll be posting screenshots of the Journey North Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration Map.
Screenshot March 2, 2019
They're starting to leave their wintering territories in Central America now and are setting foot on the continental U.S. with Florida and the Gulf Coast as the usual first stop, although there's been a sighting on the coast of South Carolina.
I'll be posting screenshots of this map periodically to record the progress of the migration and to warn when it's time to get the feeders out of the cellar and into the yard (not yet).
Claire
Comments (82)
corunum z6 CT
5 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoToday's (April 19, 2019) map shows three sightings in CT and one on the tip of Long Island.
Warm temperatures,
and a tail wind.
Claire
Related Discussions
Hummingbird Spring Migration 2012
Comments (137)Our First Ever Hummingbird. On the way to the Kitchen tonight I saw a tiny bird fly in and land on our hummingbird feeder. About the only detail I saw looked like a flash of yellow. As I crept closer to the French doors that open onto the deck, the tiny thing saw me and darted away. Wings were a blur but it could certainly move fast. I suspect that it will get used to us eventually. We had figured they hadn't found us yet but there it was. I should have changed the food two days ago so I got out there right away and change it out for some fresh food. At least the food is no longer just going to waste as we empty it out. But it was quite exciting to get our very first ever hummingbird. The feeder was a bit low on solution, too so I think that perhaps they have been working on it for a few days and we didn't realize it. It's cleaned out and fresh now so I'll be tracking it over the next few days to see if they drain it down. At some point I'll set up a film camera on a tripod with a remote release and try to get a close up photograph of one on the feeder....See MoreHummingbird Spring Migration 2009
Comments (75)My hummers disappeared for a while, presumably nesting and concentrating on insects for the babies, although they may also have been nectaring on the rhododendron mountains up the street. Now they're back, and I see them every day at the feeder. They don't stay at the feeder for long, they just take a few sips and zip off to the flowers. The meadow phlox are blooming now and the hummers love them. Re orioles: There are myriad ways of feeding oranges and jelly; you can buy fancy feeders but they're not necessary. One easy way is to hang an orange half from a hook, or impale it on a stick. The bird will eat out the orange flesh, then you can fill the empty rind with grape or other jelly. You can also put jelly in a bowl on a deck railing. I've put orange slices in a wire suet feeder and the orioles were happy. Catbirds like the oranges and jelly too. I have photos of different methods I've tried, but I'm hesitant to slow up this thread. Claire...See MoreHummingbird Spring Migration 2011
Comments (51)Ah, that's dedication, pixie_lou, keeping a feeder filled for at least two months without seeing a hummer! I hope the logjam is over and they'll be regulars for you for the rest of the season. I'm glad your daughter got to see it. Here there was a long lull, probably busy nesting, but there's a respectable amount of traffic now with lots of territorial dogfights (birdfights?) Today a chickadee explored one of the hummer feeders and then actually perched on the top of my computer screen for a very short time. It's the first time a chickadee ever looked huge to me, at least compared to a hummingbird. Claire...See MoreHummingbird Spring Migration 2015
Comments (177)pd728: I would (and I will) leave the feeders up until at least the end of September, and probably until close to frost. I'm still seeing hummers but when that's rare I'll take in the feeder from the deck and leave the feeder up in the front yard. The deck feeder will come in because the raccoons empty it every night and I have to refill it every morning. The front yard feeder only needs to be refilled every four or five days, depending on the weather. Claire edit note: I just saw this site The amazing tongue of the hummingbird...See Moreclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
5 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThis morning the Journey North map is more consistent with the link Jane provided.
There were four sightings in MA on April 19.
Temperatures are warm.
And winds are favorable for flying north.
No hummingbirds here,
Claire
corunum z6 CT
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI just made sugar water as there have been 8 sightings in CT and the thunder cloud plum, ornamental pear trees, et al, are popping. Spring is coming quickly and to my recollection, ruby-throated hummers, this close to me, are about 2 weeks early. Earliest I have for Buddy showing up is May 7th - and, that may the case this year as well. But just in case, the diner is opening today. The lilacs are developing quickly, violets are blooming in the lawn. When I was young, all this blooming was in sync with Mother's Day.
https://www.hummingbird-guide.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2019.html#spring-migration-map-2019
Janeclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThanks for posting that map, Jane! I'm trying to compare the different sites to see which is most reliable. The hummingbird-guide.com map has many more reports. Maybe it's just a question of the number of people following that site who are only interested in hummingbirds and who choose to report there.
I expected eBird to have many more sightings since that's a well-established and well-used site which reports on much more than just hummingbirds and which has many dedicated reporters. eBird still has fewer sightings.
Still none here in my yard. Waiting for the PJM rhododendrons to bloom.I think I'll start the musical feeders rotation today, moving the suet feeder off the hummer hook and putting the safflower feeder elsewhere. Then the hummer feeder can go onto the hummer hook with a rain baffle over it.
Claire
corunum z6 CT
5 years agoClaire, I found the website hummingbird-guide.com on Facebook, so a zillion people are using it. Who knows how reliable anything is? dunno. Buddy's diner is open, and my neighbors are doing the same today. Best we can do.
Trees are doing their thing - earlier.
Jane
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agoBuddy's diner has a lovely view, Jane!
The various hummingbird migration maps seem to all agree that hummers are in New England, although the locations vary, so I won't belabor the point.
The PJM rhodies are blooming now within a few miles of my yard so the road signs are up for hummers! I still haven't seen any yet but the feeder is ready.
It's getting cooler now,
and the winds aren't so favorable, so it may be a few days yet for me.
The orioles usually appear within a day or two of the hummingbirds, and eBird shows Baltimore orioles getting closer on the coast.
When it stops raining I'll put up one of the jam feeders for the orioles now that I freed up a hook for it.
Claire
corunum z6 CT
4 years ago
Arlene Levin
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocorunum z6 CT
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoArlene Levin
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoCT seems nice and warm for hummingbirds, but RI and MA are still chilly which may explain why there are so many hummers in CT but none in my yard.
Winds are minimal so that's not a good excuse (I'm talking to you, hummingbirds).
Claire
richdelmo
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agomcsooey
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoAnd there he is, about 11:30 AM this morning!
Just a quick stop at the feeder, maybe because there are a lot of bigger birds flying around. I put the second feeder out this morning on the other side of the house even though I can't easily check it until I can go out on the deck.I'm pretty sure I heard an oriole this morning, making its ratcheting call. I've had a jam feeder out for about a week with no signs of it being touched so I put another one out that's easier for them to access.
Every winter I forget there's a hole in my yard until the hummingbirds come back and fill it.
Claire
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoAnd the first oriole at about 1 PM today! I think it's a male Orchard Oriole but I'm not positive with this one quick photo.
Winds are favorable for SE MA; temperatures aren't balmy but are OK.
Claire
skibby (zone 4 Vermont)
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoGood move, skibby!
It's getting warmer in New England. I know the maps I've posted so far have been centered in southern New England (Hartford, CT). I'll start posting maps centered in Bangor, ME for those of you a bit farther north. CT people have been seeing lots of hummingbirds already.
Winds are reasonable, at least on land.
I haven't seen another hummingbird yet so yesterday's bird has probably moved north.
Claire
Skippy Z6B MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agoSkippy Z6B MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
MuddBugg Z5 ME
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocorunum z6 CT
4 years agoThey're HERE! Just spotted the first one moments ago. It isn't Buddy, but it's a hummer.
The original Buddy would now be 11 years old, but he and various mates have done well over the years.
Jane
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agosilvergirl426_gw
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoLitchfield Hills too, very nice, Lucia!
I saw a male with interesting plumage on May 3. He seems to be wearing a gray vest - gray-vested ruby-throated hummingbird? I hope he stays around - it's the first time I've been able to differentiate hummingbirds.
Claireskibby (zone 4 Vermont)
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSkippy Z6B MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoActivity slowed down from last week (rainy weather) but yesterday and today saw the first females.
This past week though we think we had a first. For years every spring/summer we Orioles in the tree tops. Been trying for years to attract down too the feeders. Finally saw the first one coming regularly this week too a feeder!
(Bad zoomed cellphone photo...lol)claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agosilvergirl426_gw
4 years agoMuddBugg Z5 ME
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoskibby (zone 4 Vermont)
4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSkippy Z6B MA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
4 years agoSkippy: The orioles will occasionally visit the hummingbird feeders, too, although they don't always fit on the feeder. Very entertaining birds.
Claire
mcsooey