Tiny Wings, Big Spectacle: Hummingbird Month Returns to the UCSC Arboretum

If you’ve spent any time in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you’ve probably noticed the flash of iridescent green darting between flowers — a hummingbird, hovering for just a moment before vanishing in a blur. These remarkable little birds are with us year-round, but March is when things get truly spectacular, and the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden is pulling out all the stops to celebrate.

The Arboretum will host a full schedule of events throughout March for Hummingbird Month, including guided tours, photography workshops, and expert presentations — most free with paid garden admission.

Anna’s and Allen’s Hummingbirds

L: Anna’s Hummingbird Photo by Kevin Lohman | R: Allen’s Hummingbird Photo by Brad Lewis

Two species dominate the local hummingbird scene. Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round Santa Cruz County residents, but winter and early spring is prime time to watch them. Right now, males are performing their courtship dives — climbing high into the air before plummeting earthward in a steep arc, pulling up at the last second with a sharp, metallic chirp. It’s one of the more dramatic displays in the bird world.

Joining them are the Allen’s Hummingbirds, which begin trickling in as early as late January and February. By March, they’re arriving in full force, and their energy transforms the garden. The combination of both species makes the Arboretum an especially rewarding place to visit this time of year.

“The density of hummingbirds — the number per area in the Arboretum — is ridiculously high,” said Bruce Lyon, professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCSC. “You can watch them feeding on flowers, you can watch their courtship, you can watch them chasing different species. It’s a great opportunity to see some amazing hummingbird biology.”

Calendar of Events

The Arboretum has events lined up across the four weekends of March:

The month kicks off on Saturday, March 7 with a First Saturday Garden Tour 11am–12:15pm focused on hummingbirds and their favorite plants. Then Sunday, March 8, offers a family-friendly Bilingual Bird Tour with the Bird School Project from 10am to noon, followed by a talk from Professor Lyon: Jewels in the Garden – A Darwinian Natural History of Hummingbirds from 1–2:30pm.

On Saturday, March 14, UC Master Gardeners will host a pop-up on Planting for Hummingbirds from 11am to 2pm, and wildlife photographer Kevin Lohman will present a slide show, Wildlife Photography from Hummingbirds to Elephants, from 1–2:30pm.

Members get an exclusive early morning session on Saturday, March 21 — Early Bird Members Hours from 7–9am, perfect for bird photography in the soft morning light. Lohman returns on Saturday, March 28 for a hands-on Hummingbird Photography Workshop from 9–11am. The month wraps up on Sunday, March 29 with a second Bilingual Bird Tour from 10am to noon.

Plan Your Visit

All events are free with garden admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for youth ages 4–17. Current members enjoy free daily admission. Rain cancels outdoor activities.

The Arboretum is located at 1156 High Street in Santa Cruz. The venue’s Gift & Garden Shop will also be featuring hummingbird merchandise and hummingbird-attracting plants throughout the month, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

For the full schedule and more information about birdwatching at the Arboretum, visit arboretum.ucsc.edu/visit/events. To become a member, visit: arboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/join-us.