Scott Weidensaul asked if I'd post the following regarding hummers in northern latitudes in winter:
"As a hummingbird bander and researcher, I wanted to correct a common misconception that been reinforced by the "rescue" of a healthy rufous hummingbird in Minnesota, discussed yesterday on Maine Birds, which I read because of my work at Audubon's Hog Island camp (and my long-standing love of birding in Maine).
"I agree that trapping and shipping that hummer to Texas was a mistake, but not for the reasons given.
"Thanks to thousands of rufous hummingbirds that have been banded in the East and Southeast in recent decades -- including many originally banded in the Great Lakes states and later recaptured in the South -- we know that this sort of situation is common and increasingly normal for healthy rufous hummingbirds, and to a lesser extent several other western species. We're seeing the rapid evolution of a new migratory route and wintering area by birds that are able to tolerate extremely cold weather. Last winter in Pennsylvania, for instance, a number of rufous hummingbirds I and my colleagues banded survived air temps of -9F and wind chills of -35F for several days during the so-called polar vortex.
"As evidence that the rufous hummer in Minnesota did not need to be hijacked and shipped to Texas, consider the fact that a rufous hummingbird banded in Wisconsin on Oct. 19 was recaptured this week in New Bern, NC, one of a number of rufous banded in the Great Lakes that were encountered, hale and fine, in the Southeast.
"These birds do not need our help -- only our admiration.
"With thanks,
"Scott Weidensaul
Schuylkill Haven, PA"
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