Rufous Hummingbird "P-06046" Our Returning Visitor

Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus

The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north than any other species of Hummingbird in the world.
In turn, it makes one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird in the world, relative to its body size.
Its 3900 mile journey from Alaska to Mexico is equivalent to 784,500 body lengths.
By comparison, the flight of the Arctic Tern is only 514,286 body lengths.
Source: National Geographic Society; Handheld Birds Fieldguide, 2010.

I have be fortunate to photograph a male rufous in Ketchikan, Alaska in 2011 and as of 1/5/13 have a female rufous at my hummingbird feeder in Auburn, Alabama.
This bird was banded by Fred Bassett (Montgomery Alabama) and carries the band no. P-06046 This bird was seen at our feeder until 4/20/2013

The bird returned to our feeder the first week in October where it was constatntly harrassed by the still remaining Ruby-throated hummingbirds which departed about 10/16/13.
In the early morning hours of October 29, Fred Bassett trapped this female only to find that it is indeed a return bird carrying band no. P-06046 attached to the bird in our January 2013 banding.
A very exciting occasion!

It appears that Rufous Hummingbirds are turning up more frequently in the southeastern and other areas of the US.
Is this due to climate change or are birders paying more attention to and documenting their appearance?
For in interesting article on this matter, see a recent edition of the Audubon magazine at http://www.audubonmagazine.org/articles/birds/rufous-hummingbirds-turning-unusual-places#.UUs7A6FtS44.facebook

For a look at the 2013 Great Backyard Birdcount (GBBC) Rufous Hummingbird observation results, see http://ebird.org/ebird/gbbc/map/rufhum?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false
It appears that this year, the species was observed and reported from Texas through Kentucky, up through the northeastern states as far as New Hampshire.

"P-06046" 11 Weeks After 2nd Visit to Our Feeder	Adult Male - Alaska	Adult Female - Alaska	Adult Female - Alaska	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013
P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013
P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013
P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013
P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013
P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - 1st Arrival Jan 2013	P-06046 - Jan 2013 Flight VIDEO	P-06046 - Jan 2013 Jewel From the North VIDEO	P-06046 - Jan 2013 Hummingbird Banding VIDEO
P-06046 - Jan 2013 Feeder VIDEO	"P-06046 - Jan 2013 VIDEO	P-06046 - Jan 2013 "In Flight" VIDEO	Rufous Hummingbird weight gain during visit to our winter feeder	P-06046 - March 11 2013	P-06046 - Return Arrival 10/28/13
P-06046 - Return Arrival 10/28/13	P-06046 - Return Arrival 10/28/13	P-06046 - Return Arrival 10/28/13	P-06046 - Return Arrival 10/28/13	P-06046 - Tail Molt Pattern	P-06046 - Primary Flight Feather Molting Pattern
Returning Female Rufous Hummingbird Auburn, Alabama	Comparative Gorget Size of Returning Rufous Hummingbird	Thriving in Auburn	Six Weeks after Return	11 Weeks After Return	11 Weeks After Return Visit
11 Weeks After Return Visit	12 Weeks After Return	13 weeks after return