Hummingbirds

2026

Harold's hummingbird feeder camera

Millstone Township NJ 

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Articles on Hummingbirds

The average hummingbird weighs less than a nickel.

August 30, 2025 at 1:06pm I had a visitor

AI create upon my request

“The Visitor”

A shimmer of wings, a whisper of light,
Through open door in morning bright,

A hummingbird, so small, so free,
Danced into the house, curiously.
It hovered near the open slider door,

A fleeting spark, a breath, a flame,
Its heart a drumbeat, swift and true,

A miracle in shades of blue.
No fear it showed, no rush to flee,
Just silent grace and mystery.

A sign, perhaps, of joy to come,
Of healing songs yet to be sung.
Some say it brings a loved one near,

A soul that whispers, “I am here.”
Others see a blessing’s flight,

A message wrapped in morning light.
So let it rest, then guide it home,
Back to the sky where it can roam.

​But hold the moment in your heart--
A tiny bird, a work of art.

When a hummingbird flies into your house, it can be interpreted in several ways depending on cultural, spiritual, and symbolic perspectives:

🌺 Spiritual & Symbolic Interpretations

1. Messenger of Joy and Healing: In many Native American and South American traditions, hummingbirds are seen as bringers of joy, love, and healing. Their presence indoors might be viewed as a sign of positive energy entering your life.
2. Sign of Good Luck or Blessing: Some cultures believe a hummingbird entering your home is a good omen, symbolizing upcoming happiness, good news, or a spiritual blessing.
3. Reminder to Be Present: Hummingbirds are known for their agility and ability to hover. Symbolically, they can represent mindfulness and the importance of living in the moment.
4. Connection to a Loved One: In some beliefs, a hummingbird may be seen as a spiritual messenger from a deceased loved one, offering comfort or reassurance.

🏡 Practical Considerations

• If a hummingbird enters your home, it’s likely disoriented or attracted by bright colors or flowers.
• To help it exit safely:
  • Turn off indoor lights.
  • Open windows and doors.
  • Remove any obstacles near the exit.
  • Avoid touching it directly, as hummingbirds are delicate.

You are absolutely right to notice a drop in hummingbird sightings in New York and New Jersey this year. Several factors appear to be contributing to this decline:


🕊️ Key Reasons for Fewer Hummingbird Sightings in 2025:

1. Population Declines Across Species
   The 2025 State of the Birds report shows that many U.S. bird species, including hummingbirds like the Allen’s and Rufous, are experiencing significant population declines. Allen’s hummingbird populations, for example, have dropped by 80% over the past 50 years [1].
2. Climate Change and Shifting Weather Patterns
   Changes in climate are affecting the timing and availability of food sources (like nectar-producing flowers and insects), which hummingbirds rely on during migration and breeding seasons[2].
3. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
   Urban development, deforestation, and shrinking green spaces are reducing the natural habitats hummingbirds need for nesting and feeding [1].
4. Migration Timing and Routes
   Hummingbird migration patterns are shifting. Some birds may be arriving earlier or later than usual, or taking different routes that bypass traditional areas like NY and NJ. This can make sightings less frequent even if populations are stable elsewhere [3].
5. Collisions and Predation
   Increased risks from window collisions and predation by outdoor cats are also contributing to mortality rates among hummingbirds[1]

References
[1] 2025 U.S. State of Birds Report Shows Widespread Declines
[2] What has happened to all the hummingbirds this year?
[3] Hummingbird Migration Map 2025. Updated Hourly With Your Sightings.
​

​Helping local hummingbird populations is a wonderful way to support biodiversity and enjoy these beautiful birds up close. Here are some effective ways you can make a difference in New York and New Jersey:

🌺 1. Plant Native FlowersHummingbirds love nectar-rich flowers. Choose native plants that bloom at different times to provide food throughout the season.
Top choices for the Northeast:

• Bee balm (Monarda)
• Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
• Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
• Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

🧃 2. Set Up Feeders
​Use a simple sugar-water solution:
Recipe: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water (no red dye!).
Clean feeders every 2–3 days in hot weather to prevent mold and fermentation.

🌳 3. Provide Shelter and Nesting Sites
Hummingbirds prefer areas with trees and shrubs for nesting and protection. Avoid heavy pruning during nesting season (late spring to summer).

🚫 4. Avoid Pesticides
Pesticides can kill the insects hummingbirds eat and contaminate nectar sources. Opt for organic gardening methods.

🐱 5. Keep Cats Indoors
Outdoor cats are a major threat to hummingbirds and other small wildlife. Keeping cats indoors or using cat enclosures helps protect birds.

📊 6. Participate in Citizen Science
Join programs like:

• eBird
• Journey North
• Audubon’s Hummingbirds at Home

These help scientists track migration and population trends.

Would you like help finding native plant nurseries near you or designing a hummingbird-friendly garden layout?

​https://thenew961.com/hummingbirds-new-york-state/

Hummingbirds typically return to Rockland County, NY, in early to mid-May[1][2].
You might even spot a few as early as late April[1]. The most common species you'll see are Ruby-throated hummingbirds[1], which are known for their vibrant colors and energetic flight.
​
References
[1] When Do Hummingbirds Arrive In & Leave New York? - Wild Bird Scoop
[2] 2025 Hummingbird Migration Map (Find Out When to Expect Them)
[3] 2024 New York hummingbird spring migration: Interactive map, feeding tips

​In the Northeast United States, the primary visitor to home gardens is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Because these birds co-evolved with native regional flora, native plants provide higher quality nectar and support the insects hummingbirds need for protein.
A succession of native Northeast plants, ordered from early spring to late summer, ensures continuous nectar throughout the season:
1. Spring Bloomers (Arrival Season)When hummingbirds arrive in the Northeast after migrating north (typically around late April to May), early nectar sources are critical.

• Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis):
  
  • Light/Soil: Part shade to full sun; dry-to-mesic soil.
    
  • Why it works: Produces nodding, red-and-yellow tubular blooms right when hummingbirds arrive. Very easy to grow and self-seeds readily.
    
• Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis):
  
  • Light/Soil: Full sun to partial shade; adaptable to most well-drained soils.
    
  • Why it works: Produces white-to-pale-pink tubular flower spikes in late spring.
    

2. Summer Bloomers (Breeding & Nesting)During peak summer, hummingbirds need high-energy nectar for raising fledglings.

• Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma):
  
  • Light/Soil: Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, rich soil.
    
  • Why it works: One of the single best native plants for Northeast hummingbirds. Features vibrant red, crown-like cluster blossoms packed with nectar.
    
• Coral / Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens):
  
  • Light/Soil: Full sun for best blooms; average well-drained soil.
    
  • Why it works: Unlike invasive Asian honeysuckles, this native vine is well-behaved, non-invasive, and produces bright coral-red tubular flowers continuously from late spring through summer.
    
• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa):
  
  • Light/Soil: Full sun to part shade; dry-to-medium soil.
    
  • Why it works: A lavender cousin of Scarlet Bee Balm that is more drought-tolerant and less prone to powdery mildew.
    

3. Late Summer & Fall Bloomers (Pre-Migration)In late August and September, hummingbirds double their body weight to prepare for their flight south. High-yield late-season plants are vital fuel stops.

• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis):
  
  • Light/Soil: Full sun to shade; requires moist-to-wet soil (perfect for rain gardens or low spots).
    
  • Why it works: The intense crimson spikes depend almost exclusively on hummingbirds for pollination.
    
• Jewelweed / Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens capensis):
  
  • Light/Soil: Partial to full shade; moist soil.
    
  • Why it works: A woodland native with orange trumpet flowers. It blooms heavily in late summer along shaded edges and streams.
    

Garden Planning Tip for the Northeast

• Leave standing stems: Female hummingbirds use lichens, moss, and fine plant fibers (like milkweed down or fern fuzz) bound together with spiderwebs to construct their tiny nests.
  
• Avoid Neonicotinoid Pesticides: Hummingbirds consume large quantities of tiny insects (gnats, fruit flies, spiders) for essential protein. Avoid spraying garden beds so they have a healthy food web.
  

2024 Season

2023

2022

When do Hummingbirds leave? As migrations starts, how to spot the flitting fliers
Cybele Mayes-Osterman
USA TODAY Aug 13, 2024

As summer vacations wrap up and kids return to school, one small bird is preparing for a monumental journey.Hummingbird migration season gets underway in August, sending the birds flying to warm destinations thousands of miles away to last out the cold winter months and bringing birdwatchers new opportunities to catch sight of them on their trip.

Weighing as little as 2 grams, hummingbirds don't appear to be formidable creatures. But every year as autumn approaches, many birds native to the U.S. set off on a long journey south in search of warmer climates and blooming flowers.

Chillier temperatures don't necessarily bother the birds, but finding new food sources is a top priority, said Chad Witko, the National Audubon Society's senior coordinator for avian biology.
​
"Migration is timed with flower phenology," Witko said. "When flowers are coming to bloom, that's when birds are trying to time their migration."

Hummingbirds cross Gulf of Mexico, travel more than 3,500 milesAbout 20 of the world's 363 known hummingbird species call the U.S. home, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

​Most are native to the western U.S., especially Arizona and southern Texas, said David Wiedenfeld, a senior conservation scientist with American Bird Conservancy. "East of the Mississippi, we really only have one kind," the Ruby-throated hummingbird, he said.
​

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