Hummingbirds return to Simcoe County after Spring migration

A Rufous hummingbird feeds in a backyard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Martha Irvine

Each Spring, as the forests of Simcoe County awake, a quiet anticipation stirs. Some may see a flicker of motion, a quick blur, that is the hummingbird fluttering by.

Their journey begins thousands of miles away in Central America and the southern parts of Mexico.

According to Hummingbird Central, during migration, a hummingbird’s heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute, and its wings flap 15 to 80 times a second. Though they may only cover 20 to 30 miles in a day, they sometimes fly up to 500 miles non-stop through very unpredictable weather conditions.

Hummingbirds like to travel by day when nectar sources such as flowers are more abundant and within reach, shared the enthusiast site.

By mid to late May, they arrive in Canada soaring all across the map and touching down in parts of the region. As of May 1, hummingbirds can be spotted all across Simcoe Muskoka and surrounding areas, according to the migration map.

The first arrivals in spring are usually males, shared Hummingbird Central enthusiasts. Many locals leave out feeders in their yards- hung with sugar water in hopes of catching a quick and sudden glimpse.

By August and September, hummingbirds are moving south, refueling their bodies and traveling to their winter destinations, the website states.

Types of Hummingbirds

There are five species of hummingbird that are regularly found in Canada, according to Hummingbirds Canada. Anna’s, Rufous, Black-chinned, Calliope and Ruby-throated.

By the time this special species settles in Simcoe County’s backyards, the hummingbird has already lived through a long journey. They will nest, raising new generations who may one day fly similar routes.