One hummingbird was sighted just across the Potomac River in Maryland, joined by a few others that have made it into Virginia. Most remain in North Carolina, however.
One curious aspect of this spring's migration is a seeming scarcity of sightings. Why? It could be that fewer people are reporting birds to Hummingbirds.net, which tracks the progress of Ruby-throats as they make their way to their summertime breeding grounds. Another possibility is a change in hummingbird populations along the East Coast.
Cold weather usually is blamed for slowing the progress of migration. Actually the reason is food supply. Hummingbirds depend primarily on nectar-laden flowers and tiny flying insects for their food. If the weather is cold, the buds on plants remain dormant. The flying insects stay under cover or don't emerge at all. The hummingbird won't be able to sustain itself.
If a hummingbird outruns its fuel supply, it must make a hasty retreat to find a location farther south where nectar or insects are available. Otherwise the bird faces starvation.
The weather this spring along the East Coast has been anything but helpful for Ruby-throats. That situation is not limited to the Lehigh Valley. Normally by April 4, cherry blossoms along Washington, D.C's Tidal Basin have reached full bloom. But twice the cherry blossom festival has had to be postponed for lack of flowers. The Washington Post reports that this year's peak bloom isn't expected for at least another seven days.
Usually Ruby-throats arrive in the Lehigh Valley around April 15. They may get here a little later than that, unless of course the weather suddenly warms, bringing with it flowers and insects. Still, it's a good time to get ready for the Ruby-throats' arrival. Do you have your hummingbird feeder ready? They may need the energy boost after their long journey.
With that said, here is today's migration map.
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