LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Tracking the Hummingbirds

It won't be long now.



One of my favorite arrivals is that of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Even non-birders talk excitedly about the first hummingbird sighting. In case you didn't know, there is a really great hummingbird migration map. You can use the map to report a sighting or to follow the migration. Once they approach your area, get out those feeders and make your nectar.
Here is the link for the map: http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
-----------My computer seems to have made a Lazarus-like recovery and survived the hard drive crash and other problems. It's back home and working just fine. With a new hard drive and reinstallation of the operating system, it should be good for a while. This is one service contract that more than paid for itself.
FRIENDLY NOTE: Get a portable hard drive and back up any data you wouldn't want to lose for good. While in my case the service crew was able to clone the hard drive, that is not always the case. I felt much better knowing that I had almost everything I needed backed up on a relatively inexpensive portable external hard drive. There is also Internet-based storage available. Oh, if you don't actually use the process to back up data it doesn't do you any good!

20 comments:

troutbirder said...

Good lesson and neat map. Thanks

KB said...

I love the map! I wish that there were one for the species that breed in Colorado. It would be so cool to watch their progress!

Also, thanks for the reminder. I have one of those small hard drives but tend to forget my backups. Glad that it all worked out for you.

Unknown said...

I can't for the hummingbirds arrival! Great map!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, I just caught up on your blogs. MAN--did you have the snow!!! That was one weird storm. We didn't get much of anything--and neither did Franklin (west of you).. Crazy!!!!

We got home last night --after driving home in a heavy rain. It was nice to get home --and if you read my blog today, you'll notice that we had a horrible ice storm while in Arkansas.

Hope you got your computer fixed and didn't lose anything. Computers --you gotta love 'em and you gotta hate 'em!!!!

Your Goldens seemed to enjoy the snow.. Brrrrrr!!!

Thanks for the hummingbird map. I can't wait 'til they come here.. I put out 3 feeders every year. They are such fun to watch.

Have a great day. Our rains have finally quit today.
Hugs,
Betsy

Cedar ... said...

Great map! Thanks for that link. And yes, the 2008 map showed the hummingbird arriving in my area right on the usual time. We put our feeders out 5/1. I use a mix of 3:1 for the first fill, then go to 4:1 until the last fill before Labor Day. I make my own nectar, and I do cook it on the stove briefly. I take the feeders in right after Labor Day so that they aren't encouraged to stay late.

Kerri Farley said...

I'm with you...can't wait until they return!
Good News about your computer!!

Carol Murdock said...

Carolyn...I reported that we had our first sites on Thursday. I'm glad to see them as they are a joy to watch!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carolyn: That is really neat to see the humming birds returning up to the USA.

Dog_geek said...

I'm glad to hear your computer is working again! And thanks for the hummingbird migration map - what a great tool! I'll have to keep an eye on it so that we are ready for them when they get here.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link. I am already buzzing with excitement.

A New England Life said...

Ours usually show up in New Hampshire the first week in May. Along with the Baltimore Orioles. Do you feed them as well?

I can't wait! The peepers will be peeping here in a couple weeks! Provided we don't have a freak snow storm.

Cicero Sings said...

Glad you are operational again!

George said...

It WILL be great to see hummingbirds again. I'm glad your computer is working better and that you were able to save all your data.

Kim said...

I can't wait to see the hummers this year. I don't feed most bird during the summer and the only thing I offer is water. I am taking my bird feeding station and filling it with red annuals to attrack the hummers and will put several feeders there for them too. The others can get their food from nature.

Shelley said...

I'm looking forward to seeing your hummingbirds too! And your reminder on the back up drive is excellent (I just lost all my inforamtion about a month ago - it was devastating!)

Jayne said...

I've already been watching the migration map and can't believe they are already so far up into GA! Need to get the feeders ready!

So glad to hear the computer is all well now. :c)

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks everyone for commenting. I just love watching the migration map and always hope I might be the first to see the hummingbirds in our area.

Betsy - Glad you and George made it home safe and sound.

Cedar - We used to remove our feeders early as well. Then an expert told me that the feeders will not encourage them to stay, so I leave them up until a week after the last sighting.

Carol - Lucky you. I can't wait for them to arrive here.

New England - We have tried to attract the orioles, but without success. I heard Spring Peepers last night!

Lindy said...

Yep! They're on their way!! Don't forget to get out your hummingbird
feeders
and get them ready to hang!!

Northern Thoughts said...

I really like your blog, love the dogs, I had a flat haired labador retiever, he was a huge bear of a dog, with the biggest heart.

Northern Thoughts said...

I just love your blog, very interesting and informative.