What follows is a compilation of information from a handful of websites and email list serves that describe some of the impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and how the conservation community has responded.

Hummingbirds. Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast close to the peak of the Ruby-throated HummingbirdÂs southward fall migration. Judy Toups, a Gulfport MS resident who helped found the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society, reported 2 dozen hummingbirds feeding frantically in her yard the morning after the storm. Because the hurricane-devastated Gulf Coast habitats are a critical refueling station along the hummingbirdÂs migration route, she helped organize a campaign to collect and distribute hummingbird feeders. More than 500 feeders were donated and shipped to volunteers for distribution along the Gulf Coast. Kathy Ross, owner of the Wild Birds store in Jackson MS, coordinated the shipments, which also included 100 seed-tube feeders for other species of birds.

My family and I stayed for the storm. I left my feeders up and watched hummers trying their best to get to the feeders during the worst of the storm. I had them afterwards too. I do worry about how the scenery has changed and less people have put their feeders up so far. But I'm waiting for them.
Helena

I've been seeing my first hummers on March 12th for the past few years. I've gone ahead and made sugar water to put out tomorrow, in case an early bird shows up. I'm 35 miles north of the Gulf, and the entire landscape in south Mississippi is so devastated that I'm very worried. We've spent over $25,000 cleaning up our formerly densely wooded, 5 1/2 acres, and I'm still working! My property now looks somewhat park-like, but I've got over 100 plants in my garden in pots, and I'm gradually planting them to fill in the gaps. They're all good wildlife plants, so if everything grows well, my property should be an even friendlier place for birds, hummers, butterflies, etc. I've even left the topped off trees for the woodpeckers to use - we have pileated woodpeckers here that have already started whacking at the snags!
I'm worried about the hummers - I'll post when I see my first one this year.
Sherry

My best friend lives in Biloxi. When I was finally able to call her to check on her a few days after Katrina, she told me her yard and feeders were full of hummers. He had a tree down and part of her roof was gone but her hummers were there.

Yes, a lot of natural vegetation is gone but a lot has started to grow again thanks to ma nature. Only time will tell how they faired overall.They do seem to be a little later than usual hitting the gulf coast this year.

Penny