In mid-to-late September, ruby-throated hummingbirds are generally moving through Arkansas as they head south for the winter. September 16 to 30 is, on average, the most active window to see migrating hummingbirds in Arkansas. They’re heading to their overwintering sites, which are mainly breeding grounds, in the far southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America.
In Arkansas, some residents shared videos and photos of migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds as early as August this year. Through the month of September, the Arkansas Storm Team received a lot of photos and videos of crowded hummingbird feeders.
The stops these hummingbirds make as they travel long distances may last anywhere from minutes to days. They need a ton of sustenance to have the energy to make this journey, so the stops include loading up on flower nectar and/or sugar water.
While September is when Arkansas experiences peak ruby-throated hummingbird migration numbers, some birds are later to the scene. These stragglers are common in Arkansas in October.
It’s recommended to keep hummingbird feeders full and clean through October for these late migrators. A water source offered for the hummingbirds is also a good idea, especially in times of deep drought.
While hummingbirds mainly migrate during the day, it’s still recommended to keep exterior lights off at night. This bit of advice goes for any migratory bird species. Lights to homes and businesses at night can confuse migrating birds, veer them off their migratory paths, use more of their precious energy, or cause bird deaths. For hummingbirds, exterior lights can disrupt their energy conservation and resting patterns…