2005 Ruby-throated Migration Map

[bobky]

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

Any day now there should be activity :)
Cheers,b

[Starzz]

I look at least 3 times a day waiting for the first purple dot to show up! |=)|

[Tammie]

Be a while before any purple dots show up for here! :(

[amasara]

Did you have a winter visitor this year BobKy?

[humminbird]

We had visitors all winter here in central TX. I saw my first hummingbirds for 2005 on January 1 - two Rufous. Later that same day I saw one female each of Ruby-throated and Black-chinned.

Y'all might want to check the Ruby-throated map at www.birdsource.org. According to that map they are being seen well into North America.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[bobky]

Did you have a winter visitor this year BobKy?

Hi,

No we didn't...but, another person in Lexington had a female Rufous until December;and, had it banded. It left a few days later.

It appears that RT hummers show up in Canada in early May :)

Cheers,bob
http://www.hummingbirds.net/images/04map-rt-canada.gif

[Starzz]

I am in southwestern New Brunswick, and I seen my first ruby throat on May 3rd last year. I keep watching the map and when they start getting close, up goes the feeders!! |=)|

[crickieheather]

I check every day too. I'm in northern georgia, so we should get our first ones sometime in the middle of March. I'll be out of town from March 4-13, so I hope not to miss the first one to my feeder!

[Starzz]

I think we should charge the rubys a late fee! hahaha

[bobky]

Check the map;they're here!! Cheers,bob

[Starzz]

WOOHOOO!! come on rubys!! LOL

Hmmm I noticed one place that has 2/19... wonder why they didnt post it sooner....

[bobky]

[QUOTE=Starzz]WOOHOOO!! come on rubys!! LOL

Hmmm I noticed one place that has 2/19... wonder why they didnt post it sooner....[/QUOTE

Hi,

I was wondering the same thing :) Cheers,bob

[humminbird]

Starz, Bobyk and others
We have to remember guys that this system is run by A (that's right, in the case of the hummingbird map it is a single person) volunteer and he can not always just jump up and update. Also, he relies on others for data - perhaps someone sent a message this week saying "I had a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Louisiana on the 19th." What does he do? Throw out the data or put it up two weeks later?
Personally, I think Lanny does a great job maintaining that whole site.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[Tammie]

Starz, Bobyk and others
We have to remember guys that this system is run by A (that's right, in the case of the hummingbird map it is a single person) volunteer and he can not always just jump up and update. Also, he relies on others for data - perhaps someone sent a message this week saying "I had a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Louisiana on the 19th." What does he do? Throw out the data or put it up two weeks later?
Personally, I think Lanny does a great job maintaining that whole site.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

You're definitely right, Mark..... Lanny does a fabulous service to hummingbird lovers with his work! The man certainly knows what he's talking about.

[crickieheather]

March 25th is the average date for my area. I can't wait!

[cavan wood]

This is just too cool. Does anyone do this with other big migrators?

[FeistyRdHd]

This is just too cool. Does anyone do this with other big migrators?


Last year in the beginning of March I put out the hummingbird feeder just to see what would happen. Next thing I know, we have 3 males! Later in the season, we get about 25 on average and have 2 large feeders.

This year it still feels like January in March; it'd freeze if I put it out. Guess I gotta take out the video I took last year and reminisce for a little while longer. ::sigh::

Lydia

[KCFoggin]

WOOHOOO!! come on rubys!! LOL

Hmmm I noticed one place that has 2/19... wonder why they didnt post it sooner....
If nothing else, it will be a good resource for those looking at this year's map next spring to give them an idea of when to expect the jeweled beauties.

[Limeybirder]

Thefirst of the spring arrived recently here in Tallahassee. The following quote was taken from the North Florida birds list.

"This morning at 7:30 I saw an adult male Ruby Throated hummingbird at my
feeder, 3 days earlier than the past 3 years when one showed up on March 6th.
In the past several years I have never seen more than one male at the feeders
until later in the summer, and I have always had one that stayed around until
the fall. Last year I did not see a female until the middle of May, and she
only came sporadically. Clean those feeders, they are on their way!"

[humminbird]

Thefirst of the spring arrived recently here in Tallahassee. The following quote was taken from the North Florida birds list.

"This morning at 7:30 I saw an adult male Ruby Throated hummingbird at my
feeder, 3 days earlier than the past 3 years when one showed up on March 6th.
In the past several years I have never seen more than one male at the feeders
until later in the summer, and I have always had one that stayed around until
the fall. Last year I did not see a female until the middle of May, and she
only came sporadically. Clean those feeders, they are on their way!"

Hey Limeybirder:
According to Audubon and Cornel (birdsource.org) Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were all over the penninsula and apparently in the panhandle of Florida on President's Day weekend!

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[Nutcracker]

The map shows one at the south end of Alabama on the third of February - do they vet the reports at all, or can any joker put on any old nonsense they like?

[humminbird]

The map shows one at the south end of Alabama on the third of February - do they vet the reports at all, or can any joker put on any old nonsense they like?

Nutcracker:
I would certainly like to know your reason for considering that 3 February sighting nonsense. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been reported all along the Gulf throughout the winter and, while this one may not have been a migrant, I see no more reason for questioning the authenticity of the statement than for accepting it. While the bird is not a common visitor along the Gulf Coast in the winter, a look at notes received from Humnet (a listserv involving hummingbird researchers) or a check of hummingbird banding records from winter months will show that it does occur. A look at the map from the Great Backyard Bird Count results for this species shows it at least as far north as North Carolina on Presidents Day Weekend. We need to get out of the mindset that this, or any other hummingbird does not occur in North America during the winter months. With the years of hummingbird banding data that is out there, I would have hoped that this would be a thing of the past.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[Nutcracker]

Thanks for the clarification Mark!

[Nutcracker]

Actually, looking at the map again, I think it is just that they've posted the dates in the peculiar illogical month-day system instead of day-month, and it is really 2 March, not 3 February :storm: how ridiculously confusing!

[humminbird]

Actually, looking at the map again, I think it is just that they've posted the dates in the peculiar illogical month-day system instead of day-month, and it is really 2 March, not 3 February :storm: how ridiculously confusing!


Ah, I appologize sir. Had I looked at your location, as a former resident of Canada where they also use the day-month system, I would have probably noted the situation.
I do appreciate the opportunity you provided though. It is amazing how many people will not accept these "early" occurences despite photos, banding (ringing) data, etc. etc. etc.
Mark
Bastrop, TX

[amasara]

Anyone know this species? Came thru internet today!!

[Tammie]

Good one Sara! What a resemblance! ;)