This Update Includes:

• News Flash: Rescued at Sea
• News: Finding Nectar in Spring Blooms
• Slideshow: Fueling the Migration
• Maps: Who's Seeing Hummers?

• Rescued at Sea

Rufous Find Nectar in British Columbia
Cheri from Vancouver, British Columbia reported, "First two rufous of the year arrived this afternoon. Both were feeding in red-flowering currant, probably 2 weeks earlier than usual. " 03/28/13

Jo-Anne from Whaletown, British Columbia reported, "First rufous buzzed by my window. The plum tree is in full bloom and the first rhododendrons are opening along with the salmonberry blooms." 04/01/13

Rufous in Washington
Dave and Sandy from Forks, Washington observed their spring blooms and knew to watch for rufous, "The salmonberry are finally blooming, so we've been expecting our little visitors!" Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry) is a species of Rubus native to the west coast of North America from west central Alaska to California. 03/26/13

Rufous in New Mexico
"Rufous hummingbirds are not usually the first species I see. A bright male stayed about five minutes enjoying some salvia and visiting the hummingbird feeder," wrote Angele from Elephant Butte. Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is one of several genera commonly referred to as sage. 03/30/13

Rubythroats in the South
First sightings of rubythroated hummingbirds visiting feeders and flowering plants continue to come from southern states. Freda from Haslet, Texas reported, "This evening we saw our first hummingbirds. Two hummers took turns sitting in the crepe myrtle and going to the feeders." 04/02/13

• Fueling Migration