Don't be Quickly Disappointed

​   There are a number of people that are disappointed about not seeing a hummingbird sighting when the first birds arrive in their regions. Just remember the migration lasts for more than just a few days. In the Northern regions, the migration can last one month. So if you aren't getting a sighting when the first ones start appearing in your region, just remember these are the VERY FIRST birds. There are so many more to come. Once they all arrive to their general destination, they start searching for good territories and mates. There are many young birds from the year before that are looking for a great territory to start their own legacy. Many of the first sightings are NOT going to stick around your garden. In fact, many of these birds have a final destination far north of where you are. 
When someone reports the first sighting in their region, we all have to realize that it's the very first sighting of a WAVE yet to come!  When you look at the migration maps and see all those dots, it's probably less than 1 in 100 that any one of those birds will show up at your garden. 
       What I'm really trying to say is that the population is SO MUCH greater than what you see posted. Have some patience when you see the first sighting in your area because there are far more to come.
​Young Ruby-throat hummingbird 2015, N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta.

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