Hummingbird migration season is upon us, and a slew of sightings of the ruby-throated breed have already occurred across New England.
Humingbirdcentral.com tracks sightings of the magical fluttering birds across the country, as they move north after spending the winter in Central America or Mexico.
Male hummingbirds can arrive in the U.S. as early as February at their breeding grounds in the southern portion of the country, before later coming north in the spring.
Representing single sightings, hummingbirds have already been spotted as north as Glover, Vermont and Machias, Maine over the course of April, signaling to a slightly earlier migration than usual. Even people in Nova Scotia have already reported hummingbird sightings, not expecting their arrival until around Mother s Day.
A yellow throated warbler is shown. (Scot Stewart photo)
“Birding always bring expectations especially in spring. Marveling with what actually occurs, enjoying the place, and the day are what ultimately make the expectations inconsequential.” Anonymous
Spring migration brings new hopes and surprises each day to birders. It is an especially notable time as most birds are molting into or have already gained their fresh breeding plumage and look spectacular. They are often vocal, especially those slated to summer in the area. Males of some species do sing as they move on northward, still trying to find a female, looking for a possible open summer range or other reasons, but this behavior is not well understood. Migration in spring is different from fall’s. In autumn, adults with worn plumage and somewhat worn out from raising young, head south with young, inexperienced young in tow. These young may be seeing humans for only the first or second time when they reach the sout
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