Track Hummingbird Migration as a Citizen Scientist You're invited to help track hummingbird migration each fall and spring as the tiny migrants travel to and from their wintering grounds. (More...) Get Started Background information for tracking SPRING hummingbird migration. Get Ready for Spring 2010 Report a sighting View sightings June 9 , 2010: In our FINAL report we look closely at the migration in action using our animated maps. Learn one reason why there are fewer birds at the feeders now. Special thanks to all our helpers without whom we could not track the migration. Also see: Answers from the Hummingbird Expert for Spring 2010 Migration News Weekly updates on Wednesdays during hummingbird migration season. Rufous Hummingbird (map/animation/sightings) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (map/animation/sightings) Questions asked by students and answered by our hummingbird expert Explore! A library of lessons, activities, and readings for the classroom Other News Answers from the Hummingbird Expert: Find Them Here (2010) Unpave the Way: How to Create a Haven for Hummingbirds! Journey North News: Spring 2010 Posted Wednesdays: Feb. 3, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9 FINAL Hummingbird Migration Update: June 9, 2010 Fewer hummers at your feeder these days? Are these travelers really gone, or is something else at work? What do you think? Read what 3 experts think. Watch this season's hummingbird migration maps in action. What big ideas can you learn from them? Our expert shares his thoughts about the little migrants that reach the northern-most part of the breeding grounds. A BIG thank you for your part in helping track hummers this spring! Photo: Ed Robertson   Hummingbird Migration Update: June 2, 2010 Celebrate the story of Sweet Pea in this week's slideshow. Find out about banding little hummers and what we can learn from this technique. How will the Gulf of Mexico oil spill affect the migration? And share your thoughts about the little migrants that reach the northern-most part of the breeding grounds. Photo: Ed Robertson  Hummingbird Migration Update: May 26, 2010  More and more of you are reporting your first sighting of the year (FOY). Study the progress of both our species the past 6 weeks, then describe the migration patterns. This week's slideshow gives you a look at how the hummers prepare for the long journey back to their wintering grounds. Two videos of a hen hummer feeding her chicks help us celebrate a new generation of hummingbirds. Photo: Michael Berry Hummingbird Migration Update: May 19, 2010 The ruby-throated hummingbird sightings continue to pour in and both species are filling up the map. Be sure to check it out. This week's slideshow takes you into a nest where the birds are ready to fledge. What does a hummingbird look like? Check out the new art gallery of hummer portraits created by grade 3 students in Decatur, Georgia. Hummingbird Migration Update: May 12, 2010 Why are my hummingbirds late? That was the question people asked as cold temperatures swept across the north during the past week. Take a look into a hummingbird nest this week. A photographer shares the day-to-day images of tiny eggs and miniature babies. Photo: Dorothy Edgington Hummingbird Migration Update: May 5, 2010 Good flying weather sent lots of rubythroats north this past week. Hummer expert, Lanny Chambers reports his first rubythroat 10 days later than average. He tells us his theory about this year's migration pattern. Learn about a vagrant sighting of a rufous in Maine. Play with words to describe baby hummers in the nest. Teachers find some clues for year end assessments. Photo: Dorothy Edgington Hummingbird Migration Update: April 28, 2010 Rufous hummingbirds are on the move into western Montana this week. One rufous even has a name; he's called "Glitterpants." Storms and rain caused a "fall out," and 89 new rubythroat sightings reported. High speed cameras allow us to learn new things about hummingbirds. A "Nature" video shows how. And what do you want to know about the hummingbird nesting cycle? Plug in to this important part of the hummingbird's life cycle. Photo: Ed Robertson Hummingbird Migration Update: April 21, 2010 Rufous hummingbirds pushed further east this week into eastern Washington and Idaho. Are warmer temperatures pushing the migration faster this year? Compare two species: think how their differences and similarities affect their migrations. Earth Day is a good time to think about how to best care for the earth and its creatures, including hummingbirds! Photo: Bud Hensley Hummingbird Migration Update: April 14, 2010 Ruby-throated hummers pushed further north this week and many more people got their first sighting. As the males arrive they appear to be on a manic mission: Set up territories, defend them from would-be thieves, and impress a mate. Watch their antics in this week's slideshow. Then solve the migration rate puzzle to determine how long before you see your first hummer. Photos: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: April 7, 2010 This week was nothing short of amazing for the rubythroat migration. Strong southerly winds and mild weather took the birds north across 13 more boundaries and into Canada! The Costa Rica farm reported this week their last hummer of the season has left. Imagine flying these distances using their little wings. Learn more about their marvelous wings and how they are adapted to allow the hummingbirds to do what other birds cannot.Photo: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: March 31, 2010 Variable winds and rain brought little movement early last week. Winds from the south will bring more hummers and other migrants from the Tropics in the coming week. This week it's all about habitat. What kinds of sun-driven events need to take place before you can sustain a hummingbird? How far away are the hummers from your feeder? Use your map and math skills to predict when you'll see your first hummer. Photo: John Doerper Hummingbird Migration Update: March 24, 2010 Southerly winds pushed the rubythroat migration into 4 new states this week. Observers throughout the Pacific Northwest continued to report loads of rufous activity. This week it's all about food. It's early in the migration, and many flowers are yet to bloom. What fuels the hungry hummers this time of year? Build your own feeder with recycled materials to hang in your classroom window or school yard. It is simple way to see a hummer up close. Photo: Cat Traylor Photo: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: March 17, 2010 A flush of new sighting reports—32 total rufous this week— yet it seems the rufous migration is holding at the 49th latitude. Learn about one of the hummer's most amazing adaptation - how they so efficiently drink nectar. Look at the differences in our 2 species migrations so far. Learn why they are so different. And keep your eyes on the wind and weather to predict what the migrations will do by next week. Photo: D. Edington Hummingbird Migration Update: March 10, 2010 A few days of southern winds and more ruby-throats have been spotted along the Gulf Coast. Traffic will slow down as a cold front brings rain this week. Most early hummingbird sightings are males. Find out why. Study a poster of pictures showing hummers doing various things. Observe them like a scientist. What do you wonder about hummingbirds? Save your questions and submit them to our expert starting Friday. Photo: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: March 3, 2010 Just like clockwork, last week the first migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds showed up on US soil. However, the weather could cause a stall in the migration until winds shift from north to south later in the week. Will the south winds bring with them the first big numbers of rubythroats? How do ruby-throated hummingbirds get here? Let's dig into these questions and explore your ideas. Hummingbird Migration Update: February 24, 2010 Sighters in the western states are seeing the first scattered rufous sightings, but we are still waiting for the first reports of ruby-throated hummingbirds. Keep your eye on the map for sightings along the Gulf Coast. How can weather maps help you predict when they will cross the Gulf? Here's one example of a map that might help. Learn about the geography of the migration as you make your own map to use this season. Hummingbird Migration Update: February 17, 2010 Visit a tropical farm in Costa Rica where 9 species of hummingbirds can be found, including our ruby throat. What does the wintering grounds have to offer these migrating birds? Some hummers have been sighted in the north. Why this is happening? Use your imagination: send a postcard home from the wintering grounds-before migration starts. Hummingbird Migration Update: February 3, 2010 Welcome to Journey North's 17th season! Meet and get to know our hummingbirds. We will be tracking the spring migration of the ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds on their journey north this spring. Why do they come back north? Explore this question in this week's Update and slideshow. Photo:M. Zinkova Journey North News: Fall 2009 Hummingbird Migration Update: October 30, 2009 We know at least three ruby-throated hummingbirds have reached their winter home in Costa Rica! Patricia Nethercote announced the news from her backyard in Guayabo de Bagaces, and she sent snapshots to prove it. Meanwhile, our migration maps show hummingbirds are going, going, and almost gone from Cananda and much of the United States. If you are still seeing hummingbirds, please let us know! Photo: Patricia Nethercote Hummingbird Migration Update: September 22, 2009 While people in the north were saying their last goodbyes, hummingbird migration reached a peak last week in the Gulf Coast states. Swarms of hungry hummingbirds appeared in backyard feeders as they poured down from the north. Please continue to report your hummingbird observations regularly. The goal of our map is to show when and where hummingbirds were present this fall. Photo: Bill Morris Journey North News: Spring 2009 Posted Thursdays: Feb. 5, 19, Mar. 5, 12, 19*, 26, Apr. 2*, 9, 16*, 23, 30*, May 7*, 14*, 21*, 28*, June 4* (* Migration Data Only) Hummingbird Migration Update: May 28, 2009 As the season wraps up, the maps slow down. Most observers have seen their "firsts." Now they can explore how hummers behave and interact with one another, their food sources, and different weather conditions. We hope you'll do the same! Enjoy this week's short update, then come back next week for the FINAL hummingbird report. Photo: Ed Robertson Hummingbird Migration Update: May 21, 2009 Fifty two states and provinces now host our hummingbird species! Reports of "first" sightings are way down, but hummers are busy following their instincts. When you're on summer vacation, they'll be fledging, furiously feeding, and otherwise preparing for another long and risky journey. Find out how they do it and watch some antics in today's update! Animation: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: May 14, 2009 Rubythroats landed in two new states and four Canadian provinces this week. Some even took a turn and started heading west! Will they bump into rufous hummers before long? Stay tuned. This week, watch a slideshow about a very special rufous. Also ponder why so many observers are terrifically happy when the first hummers return! Photo: Joan Garvey Hummingbird Migration Update: May 7, 2009 They are "wired" to race north, and they're doing it in droves! A big band of rubythroats pushed to the northern states and beyond last week. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for action in your neighborhood. Meanwhile, enjoy a birds-eye view of mama hummers and fuzzy nestlings in this week's photos and slideshow. Photo: Dorothy Edgington Hummingbird Migration Update: April 30, 2009 Hummingbirds headed north by the hundreds this past week. Was balmy weather at work? The big news: One special rubythroat returned to home base. Was he on time? You'll have a chance to look at the data and be the judge. Also this week, discover some secrets about how hummers cope with cold nights, and ponder what happens in a hummingbird nest. Photo: Alandra Palisser    Hummingbird Migration Update: April 23, 2009 The rubythroat migration made a great leap forward this week despite some "down" days. Travelers on the leading edge rode clear skies right into Canada and five new states. This week, discover why some rufous seem to be branching out. Also watch our slideshow to discover how female hummers create cradles that are stronger than steel, yet cushy as cotton! Photo: Ed Robertson Hummingbird Migration Update: April 16, 2009 The earliest rubythroats landed in new northern states, and the masses are peaking in the south! Meanwhile, rufous hummers seem to be sneaking inland. This week, explore a cool hummer adaptation and discover how scientists think a hummingbird could find just the right feeder each year. Also, dig into some of the data from this spring's journeys. Photo: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: April 9, 2009 Two rufous hummers reach Alaska, and rubythroats are surging ahead. Despite harsh weather, they landed in seven new states. Why, and how can they survive? Let's explore! Also, many of these males are on a manic mission: Set up territories, defend them from would-be thieves, and impress a mate. Watch their antics in this week's slideshow! Photo: Russ Thompson Hummingbird Migration Update: April 2, 2009 More than 80 new reports last week, despite stormy weather! This week, see where they're headed, explore what's driving them onward, and discover why they're the acrobats of the bird world. Also find out how you can provide an irresistible feast for new arrivals. Then come back next week for a longer report and more hummingbird secrets revealed! Photo: Martin Dollenkamp Hummingbird Migration Update: March 26, 2009 Hungry rubythroats just cruised into 5 new states! Meanwhile, newcomers keep moving up through the South. Nearly 80 new reports last week. Will looming wild weather slow the migrations? This week, discover how close your nearest hummingbird is. Also, watch our slideshow to discover how birds with brains no bigger than M&Ms fuel their tough journeys! Photo: Bud Hensley Hummingbird Migration Update: March 19, 2009 After a fast and furious start to the migration, hummingbirds seem to have have been lying low this past week. What slowed them down? How does the pace compare to that in previous years? We'll explore those questions in this week's short report and look at what "spring" really means to a hummer! Photo: Alandra Palisser   Hummingbird Migration Update: March 12, 2009 Wow. The 77 new dots on our live maps paint a picture of hummingbirds on the move! Rubythroats have pushed into two new states. Rufous, meanwhile, are hovering in hordes near Canada. How did they get so far ahead? Explore that this week, discover why feathers sometimes shimmer, and see if your schoolyard is ready for these tiny migrants. Hummingbird Migration Update: March 5, 2009 The migration season has begun! Hummingbird spotters in 5 Gulf Coast states reported the arrival of the first hungry rubythroats. Check out this week's maps and try to figure out how they got there. Then dig into today's slideshow. Also see what observers are saying about the rufous hummingbirds that are making a beeline up the West Coast. Photo: Maryjane Hummingbird Migration Update: February 19, 2009 What are all those dots on our hummingbird maps? Have the migrations really started, or is something else at work? Maybe some of these nectar-sipping, insect-eating creatures found what they need to get through the winter north of the border. This week, slideshows, stories, and maps will help you discover how some hummers get by! Photo: Robert Behrstock Hummingbird Migration Update: February 5, 2009 If you put ten hummingbirds in an envelope, you could mail it with just one stamp! Yet these tiny flyers are preparing to leave the comfort of cozy winter grounds to make a long and remarkable journey north. Who are the creatures we'll be tracking? Why do they risk the trip? And when will they get to your hometown? Join us this week to explore these questions. Photos: Ed Robertson, Dean Briggins Join us in February! Beginning February 5th, weekly spring migration updates will be posted here every Thursday, from February to June. Get ready to track the migration! Hummingbirds will move north to nest and travel across the continent. Find out how to report your sightings and track the migration on real-time maps. Photo: Damon Calderwood  This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2010 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.