Western Great Lakes Hummingbird Project

The Western Great Lakes Hummingbird Project (WGLHP) is a volunteer non-profit hummingbird banding project dedicated to furthering the understanding of hummingbirds occurring in the western Great Lakes states of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was founded in 2015 by Cynthia Bridge, master permitted hummingbird bander.

Why Study Hummingbirds in the Western Great Lakes Region?

Minimal study has occurred on Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Wisconsin with the exception of some limited banding occurring in southern Wisconsin in the past two years. In addition despite the Ruby-throated Hummingbird being the most ubiquitous and easily recognizable hummingbird species in the eastern United States, Birds of North America (BNA) Online continues to report significant gaps in our understanding of the basic biology, molt and migration of this species. Furthermore, the BNA account of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird states “the limited number of banders and banding sites may yield biased data on movements” of this species.

Western Great Lakes Hummingbird Project Research Plan

• Objective 1: Band hummingbirds in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in order to monitor Ruby-throated Hummingbird populations and reproductive success at sites of concentration for this species in these regions. With the body of evidence growing in regards to global climate change, establishing baseline data and monitoring population and reproduction of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and their response to these changes has value.
• Objective 2: Work in collaboration with Allen Chartier of the Great Lakes HummerNet to complement his research on Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the Upper Great Lakes States and expand coverage to Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Specifically this project will include sites throughout Wisconsin including the northern latitudes where there is no current Ruby-throated hummingbird banding being conducted. Additionally, WGLHP intends to establish a more consistent Ruby-throated hummingbird banding schedule in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where limited banding has previously occurred.
• Objective 3: Band Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to determine flight corridors through these regions to further our understanding of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration through the Upper Midwest.
• Objective 4: Further our understanding of Ruby-throated Hummingbird basic biology, including but not limited to molt timing and egg dates, and compare data from the southern versus northern latitudes of the study region.
• Objective 5: Assist in documenting the occurrence of western hummingbirds and vagrant hummingbird species in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and contribute to the growing body of data on the migratory and wintering habits of western hummingbirds in the eastern United States. Banding of western and vagrant hummingbirds is being coordinated with fellow master permitted hummingbird banders, Michelene “Mickey” O’Connor (Wisconsin) and Allen Chartier (Michigan).