Spring hummer migration map

I put together the map below to show which states Ruby-throated, Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have been reported on Ebirds. I choose the most widespread hummingbird species seen in the U.S. with one exception. I did not put Rufous Hummingbirds on this map since so many of them overwintered in various parts of the U.S. making it difficult to discern if reported birds were migrating in or had been around.

It is no surprise that our southern-most states have already had a number of reports of migrating hummingbirds. There was one surprise–the Ruby-throated Hummingbird all the way up in Indiana (though on it’s very southern border). Though one could wonder if this was an accurate sighting, the sightings on Ebird have been vetted by regional reviewers who check out such unusual reports. That is why I used Ebird reports instead of the other hummingbird maps available online (they may have good information but do not provide information about having a vetting process). SeEtta

"Mild US winter makes for unusual bird sightings"

"Every bird species has a captivating story to tell, and we're certainly seeing many of them in larger numbers farther north than usual, no doubt because of this winter's record-breaking mild conditions," said John Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Some of the unusual sightings included early migrating sandhill cranes and fish-eating belted kingfishers in northern areas that normally would be frozen over.
This winter was the fourth-warmest winter on record for the 48 contiguous states."  Read more here.

More Harlan's Hawk photos

Though mostly coal black a few specks of whitish feathering was visible near the throat area of the bird. I did not seen any white on it's face or rufous in the tail but my view of it perched was brief and distant. The shyness of this bird was incredible not only because of how far I was from it but the fact I remained in my car to reduce disturbance. SeEtta

Harlan's Hawk moving through Canon City,CO

As I spotted this Harlan's Hawk this mid-day in Canon City perched in a cottonwood adjacent to the Arkansas River. Just as soon as I got my car in position and put my camera with long lens on it, it appeared took off (I was across the river a good 150 feet, but maybe responding to a long object pointed at it as it may have experienced if someone shot a rifle at it). I got a quick photo of it perched (and looking towards me) then taking off as shown here. It appears to be a dark morph Harlan's, mostly blackish with white or pale gray rectrices and wide blackish terminal band on tail. More photos to follow. SeEtta 

Black Phoebe in south central Colorado

I found a Black Phoebe a few weeks ago at the Florence River Park so this phoebe I photographed there yesterday is likely the same bird. As we have had a population of Black Phoebes for over 10 years in this area, many have been hybrids from cross mating with Eastern Phoebes but this bird, at least in plumage, has clear Black Phoebe traits. As is often the case with the species, I found it by hearing it's distinctive 'tsip' calls. SeEtta