Following migrations

One of the practices that's grounded me in a sense of place is following the migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds here in the Eastern U.S. (as well as other birds and migrating monarchs, not to mention regional movements of birds and butterflies from the mountains to lower elevations or the coast).  I've done this for decades now.

I had feeders in the Piedmont of South Carolina;  I marked their arrival and departure each year, as well as their activities in the garden.  Hawking from the big oak near the porch was a favorite observation point.

Blogger's search feature picked up lots of hummingbird posts on Natural Gardening:  fun to revisit.

We had hummingbirds visiting our feeders in Quebec in June and July - the Gaspe Peninsula is about as far north as they get in Eastern North America.

Journey North's map today showing the southern migration sightings were telling, as was their post.

Hummingbirds are heading south rapidly.  We've been seeing two or three everyday here in Asheville, visiting Saliva guaranitica and Lobelia siphilitica, both still in full flower.

Journey North map of hummingbird sightings as of Sept. 25

Comments

  1. Your post reminded me of this article I read recently. https://qconline.com/news/local/monarch-butterflies-praised-as-resilient-miraculous-migrants/article_fcc36316-0219-587b-a721-89e694a7b6b2.html#anchor_item_4 I admire the historical record you've kept of the birds and butterflies visiting your garden. To see the trends over the years and from your various vantage points provides a unique look and its fun to hear about it.

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  2. I certainly wouldn't have any records if I hadn't been blogging -- I wasn't ever particularly successful keeping some sort of paper diary version of nature recordings, whether I called it a nature journal, or not! But it was easy to reflect on observations as a blogger.

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  3. No hummingbirds spotted here for a few days, but there were a couple of Monarchs in the garden yesterday.

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