When will hummingbirds leave New Jersey? Time running out on hummingbird season

The spring hummingbird migration season is over, giving way to the southern-bound hummingbird exodus from New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Here's everything you need to know in order to catch the last sightings of hummingbirds this season.

When will hummingbirds leave New Jersey?

In New Jersey, most ruby-throated hummingbirds , the primary species found in the state, began their migration south in late August. However, some stragglers may linger into October.

When did hummingbirds arrive in New Jersey?

The ruby-throated hummingbird migrated south the New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region in early May.

"Many hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America or Mexico, and migrate north to their breeding grounds in the southern United States as early as February, and to areas further north later in the spring," read a portion of the 2024 ruby-throated hummingbird guide at Hummingbird Central . "Research indicates a hummingbird can travel as much as 23 miles in one day. However, during migration as they cross the Gulf of Mexico they may cover up to 500 miles at a time. Their average speed in direct flight is in the range of 20-30 mph."

How to attract hummingbirds

There's still time to attract hummingbirds to your garden, however, and the first step is setting up a proper hummingbird feeder.

Hummingbird Central noted that feeders come in different sizes and are made from a variety of materials, but there are differences birdwatchers should be aware of.

Hummingbird Central also includes a recipe for attracting and feeding hummingbirds.

"When formulating your hummingbird mixture recipe, remember that nectar found in nature is typically in the range of 12%-35% sugar. The solution you prepare should be similar to that found in nature," read Hummingbird Central's advice. "We make our own solution, using the recommended mix of four parts water to one part sugar, i.e., 20% sugar. We do not boil the water, but we find that using warmer water helps dissolve the sugar quicker.

"Note that our water is pure; for those whose water supplies are suspect, boiling water is an option to remove impurities."

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: When will hummingbirds leave New Jersey? Time running out on hummingbird season