Very, very few of my spring/summer/fall Ruby-throateds are ever caught at other locations. Well, finally, that is changing. On Tuesday, Linda Beall caught one of ours in Abita Springs [Louisiana] - 6 miles east northeast of Sunday's banding location in Covington.
Most evidence supports the idea that migrant Ruby-throateds generally move in a southwesterly direction. A 6 mile deviation is not a big deal, considering the distance this little guy will eventually travel, but obviously, this bird wasn't paying attention in geography class!
Just last week, Linda caught an adult male that we had banded as an adult late last August at our regular Covington site. Previously, only 1 of our spring/summer/fall Ruby-throateds had been caught elsewhere. That one was caught by Linda in Hammond, about 30 miles due west, the spring after he was banded.
Our banding 'krewe' is a changing cast of characters. We learn a lot from our weekly sessions and hope that this week's won't have to be cancelled because of the storm.
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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9
