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Friday, October 21, 2011

Stragglers

I thought all my hummingbirds had moved on.  Imagine my surprise when I looked up today to see not one but two still in the yard.

This one, which I believe is another female Rufous although I didn't get a really good look at her, was feeding from one of the feeders that I had just cleaned and refilled yesterday.

This Ruby-throat was visiting a shrimp plant.

Perhaps the change in the weather brought them to me, as it also brought several Monarch butterflies to the yard this week, as well as the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers that I told you about earlier in the week.  No matter the time of the year or the weather, there's always something interesting happening in the backyard.  Today it was hummingbird stragglers and a little green and black garter snake sunning itself on the rocks beside the fish pond.  What will it be tomorrow?

Whatever it is, I won't be here to see it because early tomorrow, I'm heading out to Colorado for ten days.  I can't wait to see some mountains again and maybe some new birds.  Blogging may be sporadic during this period, but, rest assured, when I see something really interesting, I'll report it to you here!

4 comments:

  1. How neat... I already miss the hummers. I'm sure they are enjoying this fabulous weather we are having. I felt sorry for the birds that moved through our area during the heat of summer. Enjoy your trip.

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  2. Thanks, Rambling Wren. I will especially enjoy the trip if I can get some new "life birds." My chances are pretty good, I think.

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  3. I live in South West Virginia, and today is Nov.12, I still have one female hummingbird hanging around her feeder, I clean and refresh her nectar once a week, but I'm worried about the colder days, what to do?Kolibri Rieky

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    1. Actually, birds in general - and that includes hummingbirds - are pretty well equipped to deal with cold weather as long as they can get enough food. Down and feathers are just about the best insulation there is. So, as long as your bird can get enough food (with your help) I wouldn't worry about her too much. It's likely that she will continue on migration soon if she is a Ruby-throated, which I assume she is. On the other hand, a hummer such as the Rufous can easily tolerate colder weather and might continue to linger with you if that's what you have. Last winter I had two female Rufouses that spent the winter with me.

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