Hummingbirds left backyard on September 22 ~ 3rd year in a row on this same date

 Photos by Barry Wallace

First is was the male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which left our backyard feeders at the end of July/early August, followed by the females who first lingered to make sure the juveniles were going to fatten themselves up for their departure in September.   Some Hummers linger into October but that is quite rare.   In our case on Humber Crescent in King City, it was the third year in a row that these marvelous little creatures headed south on the same day: September 22.   Four years ago, they left a full 10 days ahead of the September 22 date.   This information is highly scant to base any assumptions upon, but there is much evidence in many other places that hummingbirds are arriving sooner in the spring in Canada, and leaving later in the fall. Anecdotal evidence is also growing about Hummers migrating further north each spring.   There are now reported sightings along the lower James Bay coastlines.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace