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Where have all the hummers gone?

© Judy L. Evridge

The wonderful world of hummingbirds! One glimpse of these marvelous creatures and your are mesmerized! As they dart to your feeder you watch; captivated by their beauty, size and mystery. Suddenly another appears chasing away the first. You could watch for hours in total fascination!

But, summer is over now and slowly but surely you notice them quietly disappear. You know they will most likely return next spring, but you can't help feeling a bit sad to see them go. But, take heart, someone is waiting to greet them! For they make friends where ever they go! So, where do these tiny creatures end up?

Well, early in migration, many can be found at the HUMMER/BIRD Celebration! And what is the Humm/Bird Celebration you ask? It is an annual event held each September in the delightful and welcoming coastal towns of Rockport and Fulton in Texas. The purpose here is to celebrate the spectacular fall migration of the Ruby-throated hummingbird through the area as well as increase awareness of all birds, and related wildlife.

Here, they gather to prepare for their unbelievable and heroic journey across the Gulf of Mexico! A non-stop, exhausting 500+ miles, that may take them as far as the Yucatan Peninsula. This journey can take as long as 20-40 hours. Can you imagine flapping wings for 20-40 hours without stopping? Incredible!

And to think that these tiny birds, less than 6 inches in length, and some weighing less than an ounce can survive such a journey is at the very least motivating in those times when we find ourselves thinking "I am just too tired to..." (I'm sure we can all fill in the blanks here *S*)

Birds must endure all types of weather conditions, such as storms, winds, rain, etc. Meteorological experts have been tracking migration with radar (NEXRAD) since 1990. You can read about that here: Radar Onithology Laboratory. It seems especially overwhelming that one so tiny as the hummingbird would even attempt this trip. It is no wonder they rely so heavily on human assistance in feeders and lush gardens. And all the more reason to leave our feeders out, at least, until we no longer see the nectar disappearing!

If you take a look at "where" they go, you will soon see "why" they go. One of these places is beautifulBelize which boasts sun-drenched sandy beaches, lush green forests, and hundreds of bird species. With a great diversity and abundance of natural beauty it is just one perfect choice. The climate there is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. This country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is pleasantly tempered by sea breezes.

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