Video: Hummer!
As you know, hummingbird activity has been rather low for me this summer, a fact that made me very sad. But I did keep the feeders up in hopes that things would change. And yesterday, they finally did. I love this feeder that allurafeeders.com generously sent me because it looks so different and has such a clever filling system, and it was awesome to see it getting used. It was funny to see them explore the feeder. First I saw one trying to drink under the lid, but then they figured it out and then even sat. Wohoo! Let’s hope for more.
Right now, pretty much every bird
has a scruffy look to it. Many are molting, either into their adult feathers or into new ones for the cold season. This is basically the current crowd. Except for the occasional Flicker I have not seen Woodpeckers in a while, no Bluebirds, and rarely Cardinals. Everybody is on the move, it seems. Except for the molters. And the impeccably looking Chickadee (with a spider!) and MoDo.
The livestream will hopefully be back working later today, there are some technical issues going on. Come good into Friday!
First glimpse
at the class of ‘21 (well, one of them). It was once again mostly overcast today but I love that I saw several Rubythroated Hummingbirds. As probably many birdwatchers do, I have a very special spot for these minature warriors in my heart, first of all because I still cannot believe they come to my garden (where I grew up, in Germany, we don’t get Hummingbirds and they have alwqays been like an exotic miracle to me). These photos are not optimal but I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. More to come, it looks already like this year has more Hummingbird action than 2020!
Video: two Hummers in the rain
It was cold and rainy this morning, feeling like autumn. Yet, the Hummingbirds are still coming. The lens was wet but I thought this was so cool to watch and listen to. My favorite part is at the 10 second mark haha
Keep those feeders up and clean to help the migrants that might be passing through your area!
Happy National Hummingbird Day!
To honor this special occasion, I have switched the livestream to the hummer station today. The feeder has been busy all morning, so I hope we get to see some activity. Have a beautiful Saturday!
Someone's getting pudgy!
I noticed that the Hummingbirds that came to the Birdsy feeder just quickly checked things out and never sat down. It was as if they couldn’t figure out the feeder. I thought it might be because they are not used to the insect guards, so I have removed them now and try to keep the nectar level low so the wasps cannot reach in. This seems to have worked - this little guy sat right down for two minutes.
This sweet little man
is still coming around regularly to get strong and pretty for the journey to his winter quarters. The white spots on his belly are the sheaths that house the new feathers.
Video: Hummer sampling jelly
A young Rubythroated came this morning to sample the grape jelly. As you can see, he keeps a watchful eye at the yellow jackets. Them and other insects like hornets always appear around the end of August and can be annoying around the nectar and jelly feeders. I am trying to keep the feeders extra clean and avoid going there too much so I don’t get stung. And I am secretly hoping that the Orioles will start to migrate so I can take the jelly feeder in…
I have said before
that birdwatching is a bit like eating seasonally for me. I try to make the best of what is available at the moment. So here is another Hummingbird photo, from yesterday. If you look closely, you can see a tiny red feather coming in as the start of the characteristical gorget of this teenage Rubythroated Hummingbird.
This lady is a goofball
and she cracks me up! In the middle photo she saw another Hummingbird approaching. I am really enjoying it that their activity has picked up. This almost feels normal.
The Hummingbird feeder
is more popular than ever during this summer with so little Hummingbird action. They are here, they are even still nesting, so keep those feeders up and clean and make sure the nectar is fresh. Avoid the red stuff from the stores, you can easily make it yourself with one part sugar and four parts water (no chlorinated tap water). I also still have Orioles, but the males are becoming rarer. This one might be a migrant on his way south.
More hummingbirds!
And I think this might be a young male because I see a teensy hint of red coming in at the neck (I added an arrow pointing to it in the second photo). I love his fuzzy little legs. I am not sure if the second one is the same bird. The light was different and I cannot see the red but otherwise they look pretty much identical with the little bulge on the neck and the black feathers in front of the eye.
The Hummingbird feeders
are of great interest not just for the Hummingbirds. I am experimenting with different setups, and I can be sure that there will always be an Oriole visiting too. They are such goofballs.
This Hummingbird
finally got over their fear of the camera box and took some sips from the feeder. I am thinking this is a female but the throat somehow looks as if it could just as well be a young male. I am still amazed by their delicate beauty and the colors in their tiny feathers.
I guess nature listens
when I complain :D Yesterday, I saw two Hummingbirds again! Here is the male, showing off that beautiful ruby red throat. If you look closely, you can see that he has pollen on the beak too. My flowers aren’t really there yet, but it feels like things are finally picking up. I also saw a Cedar Waxwing on the bird bath twice in the last two days, and I hope it comes back and sticks around a bit more so there will be video. The internet issues with the live stream should be resolved now, too. Wohoo!
Video: FOY Rubythroated Hummingbird
Today finally was the day where I saw my first Rubythroated Hummingbird of the season. Usually, I see them around the beginning of May, and I was impatiently waiting. We are having another night frost tonight but I hope this is the last of it - the forecast looks good.
