SPRING MIGRATION  2005

The earliest reports came in from CT, RI and eastern MA in mid- April and May 1-5. After that, cold rainy weather apparently stalled the movement of hummers into areas such as western MA and NH, while reports of two  per yard in southeastern MA suggested a temporary buildup there. By May 8, however, reports from western MA and NH began to trickle in, and by May 10 there were more NH reports and, finally, reports from VT! By May 21, migration was reaching its last stages, and Ruby-throats had finally moved into Maine, NH and VT in good numbers, helped along by warmer temperatures and southerly winds. Females were joining the males.  Progress into NH, Maine, and Vermont was slow compared to previous years, with a number of observers commenting that their first arrival was about a week later than previous years.  (On May 31, in overcast mist, 9 hummingbirds were reported by R. Heil on Plum Island, MA, presumably stalled late migrants.)

Table I: First Bird Reports, April 1-30

TABLE II: FIRST REPORTS OF FEMALES

Table III: First Bird Reports, May 1-8

TABLE IV:  FIRST BIRD REPORTS, MAY 9-15

TABLE V: FIRST BIRD REPORTS, MAY 16-30

TABLE V: FIRST BIRD REPORTS, MAY 16-30

TABLE IV:  FIRST BIRD REPORTS, MAY 9-15

*Arrival is late this year compared to previous years: 5/3/02; 5/2/03; 5/1/04.**Buzzed the seed feeder  ***"The hummingbird came back to the place where I usually have the feeder, hovered for a second, then flew off. Later it returned."  # "He hovered around where the feeder was last year, not where it is right now."  ##"Hummers are late this year compared to last. Saw my first male in late April, 2004." ###"Came to location of last year's feeder. Put out feeder and he fed frequently for over an hour." +first birds reported in Hardwick, Shelburne, Rutland Town, Thetford, Norwich, Hartland, and Rutland between 5/10 and 5/12. ++"A full week late in arriving." +++"About a week later than usual." %"At last. Late this year."  %%"Finally! Last year- May 5" ****"Really late this year."

TABLE III:  FIRST BIRD REPORTS, MAY 1 - 8

TABLE II: FIRST REPORTS OF FEMALES

**"a large, healthy-looking female. I'm glad I had my feeder up!"    *"Arrived the same day as my first male." ***"Female arrival is later than previous years: 5/11/02; 5/11/03; 5/7/04" #"3 or 4 days later than usual"

TABLE I: FIRST BIRD REPORTS, APRIL 1-30

***"No flowers or feeders out, and cold. We feared this one wouldn't make it."

**"I did not have my feeder out yet, but the little guy was flying around the exact location where I normally hang it."

* This is the very first reported sighting of a Ruby-throat in New England this year, and, like last year, it came on the very early date ( by historical standards) of April 8. That date was at the beginning of a rather unseasonable warm, dry spell of weather. Dorothy Wonson  was thrilled to see a hummer right in town...and here's what she wrote to NE Hummers about her sighting:

"I'm positive .......... I couldn't believe my eyes ......... and my ears, when I had
my sliding screen door open onto my little garden patio here in Newburyport
and I heard the slightly elevated buzzing sound of the hummingbird that is so
familiar to me up in Maine on Mooselookmeguntic Lake ....... where we have as
many as 10 - 15 hummers at a time, zooming, diving, fighting, and flirting around
our two feeders in July, August and September !

Yes ...... I had a cherry red Icelandic poppy ....... potted, awaiting planting in my window box....... along with a red English Daisy next to it ! I heard that wonderful sound and looked quickly to see a glorious male hummer darting for the red color !!!
I couldn't believe my eyes, having followed the migration timing
myself, and not expecting to see any until May, if then ! "

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page updated   6/29/05