hummingbird-guide.com Claire, are you the spotter in Plymouth? 4/17/19 - Ruby spotted.

Today'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

Not me, Jane! I missed your post - probably when I was editing mine. That's another hummingbird migration site I didn't know about. I don't know which sites to believe now that hummingbirds.net is no longer active. They're not always consistent.

No hummers here yet.

Claire

None seen here yet, but one reported in Concord, NH, about 15 miles south of me.

This 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

I 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

Jane

Thanks 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

Claire, 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

Buddy'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,

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

My neighbor just called, first hummers at her feeder at 7:15pm.

What town in CT? I am in Ashford.

Great news, Jane! Plural hummers?

Claire

Arlene, Glastonbury. Claire, apparently, because she said there were 2 around 4PM, and when she called me after 7, one was at the nearest feeder. She has 3 feeders within her view from her porch.

Lovely! Hopefully others will be following in their footsteps...wingsteps?

The migration always seems more real when it's reported by someone on the forum.

Claire

My friend down the road from me saw her first hummingbird today at 2:00. Ashford CT. They have been around all afternoon.

CT seems to be bursting with hummingbirds! At least according to friends and neighbors of Jane and Arlene.

I wonder how many of these hummers are transients, still heading north to their birth places. In my yard, anyway, the first hummers all seem to be males and don't stick around after the morning feeding. I don't see a resident male until the females arrive a week or so later.

Claire

CT 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

First Hummer today South Weymouth, yay...

Congratulations, richdelmo! You're about 40 miles north of me - maybe the hummer missed my exit?

Claire

The Hummers have arrived in Brewster, MA. Sitting here doing some work on my computer and I saw a small, fast shadow fly past my window. Yep, a Hummer at the feeder. So glad I got it all cleaned and filled to the top with fresh nectar just yesterday. OK, now it can be Spring.

Lovely, Sooey! Brewster, too - there seems to be a wave of hummers visiting the Garden Web members in MA. I just got up and looked out my window again - nothing yet, but there's hope!

Claire

And there he is, about 11:30 AM this morning!

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

Glad yours have arrived let the season begin.

Excellent, Claire! I new it would be today; so glad they made it. I tucked a map on my feeder yesterday with explicit directions on how to get to Plymouth. I'm glad they could follow it...smart birds. Enjoy!

Thanks, Rich and Sooey! Maybe this dreary Winter and early Spring are really over...

Claire

And 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

I'll be putting up my feeders in the next few days. Cold and rainy forecast for this week. Unseasonable, but not by too much. Currently 36 degrees but sunny and pretty. (with a tinge of green).

Good 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

Just sighted the first ones this morning, males. Been coming back and forth since and keeping a watch on the feeders from the same trees as usual.

Great, Skippy! I got confused for a minute - we have Skippy in MA and skibby in VT - both are hummingbird enthusiasts.

It's good you have several feeders so the hummers can claim one each.

Claire

Lol, actually they try to claim all 3. Front, back, and side yard. You can watch them try too do a triangle pattern around the yard too check and chase away from all 3!

Set the feeders out yesterday and one was spotted today in a nearby town... Yeah!

MuddBugg: I hope a hummer comes to your town and your feeders soon!

Claire

They'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

Congratulations, Jane! It looks like a female although there seems to be a faint pink blush under the chin.

I'm seeing hummers most days but they seem to be passing through, not residents.

Claire

Me too! They're here, in the Litchfield Hills -- Put up the feeders yesterday, and this morning, there they were. Let the summer begin!

lucia

Litchfield 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.

Claire

I put up two feeders Saturday - no activity yet. I seem to be living within a negative forcefield. Every year the hummers coming north veer to the right and left of us and we are about the last area in Vt. to see them. Must have something to do with the wind patterns or land contours, or something equally mysterious. I'm not taking it personally. Much.

skibby: Maybe you're just missing the transients that are heading farther north and taking the easiest route which bypasses you. You may live in a dead end cul-de-sac so the hummers that do end up there are the ones that consider your yard their preferred destination.

Better to rationalize than to feel rejected, at least that's my way of thinking.

Claire.

They are here in Athol, Ma. It was the same time last year they came and stayed. May 4th. I love these little birds. Sunday the 5th was like an airport at my feeders. I also had 4 Baltimore Orioles at the half oranges I put out. I go to this forum every years to see how the migration is going. Thank you Claire.

Happy Hummingbird days. So excited they are here.

Activity 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)

Athol on May the 4th, Star Wars Day! May the 4th always be with you, and with hummers, Dawn.

Skippy: once the orioles learn about your feeders they'll probably come for most of the summer. I love it when the males bring their fledglings for an afternoon treat.

Claire

I never knew that about May 4th! So that's why it was Star Wars bobblehead day at Yankee Stadium. Never too old to learn something new. I am so amazed every year that the hummingbirds head to the same overgrown honeysuckle bush to make their nest. My feeder is right nearby, so it's easy snacking! So glad to oblige.

lucia

Hubby has seen Hummers at the feeders for a few days now, I finally saw one today. We also had an Oriole try to get some nectar today so rushed some orange halves outside, hopefully they'll be back.

Hummers and an oriole, MuddBugg - a good start on a happy Spring season!

Claire

First hummer sighting this morning! Finally a dry day after a week of rain and cold. Lots of cardinal activity too. All is good!

Congratulations, skibby! The discerning hummers (those with good taste) are arriving where they belong.

Claire

You were correct Clair, the Orioles are showing up all day now.

Either the feeder or I think there favorite now... orange halves. They will eat two halves a day! They also try the suet some times.

They even chase each other like hummingbirds...lol.

Skippy: The orioles will occasionally visit the hummingbird feeders, too, although they don't always fit on the feeder. Very entertaining birds.

Claire