Hummingbirds Arrive Right on Schedule

Those of us here in Maine have been speculating on just how late everything will be this year after our long, snowy winter. I'll be honest with you. I expected the hummingbirds to return much later this year, but they actually arrived a day earlier at my house than they did last year.


I don't know how to explain that. According to the 'experts' the Ruby Throated Hummingbird begins its journey north sometime in February and typically arrives in the southern tip of Florida by early March. They then reportedly follow the progression of blooming native wildflowers up the eastern coast until they find their way back home to Maine. With the late spring, I assumed the flowers would bloom later and the hummingbirds would show up a week or two later than usual - but that doesn't appear to be the case.


I noticed yesterday that the poplar (what we natives call 'Popple') trees leafed out. They are about a week late. I know this because my daughter was born on April 30. When I went into the hospital on the 30th, the trees were bare. When I came out on May 1st, they were covered in green-gold leaves. I have watched them every year and have discovered they leaf out within a day or two of her birthday every year. If my memory serves me, this is the latest they have leafed out in over 20 years.


So, now I'm wondering if the hummingbirds really do follow the progression of blooms up the coast or if they return according to the day length. At any rate, I am glad to see the glint of scarlet as they venture to my feeders.