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Post by lilyopath on Dec 29, 2010 7:59:54 GMT -5
Just a quick report on yesterday's brunch and hummer watching....7 hummers sighted. A female rufous, a male rufous, a male RT hummer, and five female RT hummers!
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Post by lilyopath on Jan 21, 2011 21:44:30 GMT -5
Lots of hummer activity...chasing and going to feeders. However, I haven't seen the two male RT Hummers in the last two days. There seems to be several female hummers and an immature male. Also, I have had a painted bunting for the last two days.
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Post by moboston on Jan 22, 2011 16:38:56 GMT -5
I'm still seeing my 2 rufous - I was getting concerned cause I hadn't been able to ID my female that Fred banded but she's been around alot today. I saw another smaller one the other day but couldn't tell if it was the male at the side feeder or not. He seldom goes over there.
Gold finches are still here. Would love to get a Painted Bunting. When do you see your Bluebirds?
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Post by lilyopath on Jan 24, 2011 13:32:55 GMT -5
Moboston, I have seen, in a previous year, a bluebird as early as January. It was with a flock of yellow rump warblers. Usually, however, I see the bluebirds in late March and in April. I hope they come again this year, but the last two years they didn't have a successful nest. This year I have a baffle and I think they will be safe from predators.
I have always seen the painted buntings in the company of cardinals.
I continue to have hummingbirds...at least an immature male and a female. They've been chasing each other quite often.
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Post by lilyopath on Jan 26, 2011 9:25:42 GMT -5
OK, both male RT hummers are not gone. I saw one in the window feeder on and off all afternoon yesterday. It was the one that had the darker coloring and no white spot behind each eye. I was really happy to see him.
This morning I'm seeing at least two hummers chasing one another and using the feeders. It's very wet and blustery here.
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Post by lilyopath on Jan 28, 2011 10:42:39 GMT -5
Hummers and painted buntings like sow thistle! Who knew!! Besides sow thistle which planted itself, I have red shrimp plant and coral honeysuckle blooming now. The hummers are feeding on all three and are very active today.
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Post by lilyopath on Feb 13, 2011 14:02:55 GMT -5
They are still here;) The salvia is starting to bloom. Camellias and azaleas are budding out. Most of the plants...cuphea, fire bush and cestrum are growing. Promise of things to come!
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Post by virgo10 on Feb 14, 2011 19:58:35 GMT -5
They are still here;) The salvia is starting to bloom. Camellias and azaleas are budding out. Most of the plants...cuphea, fire bush and cestrum are growing. Promise of things to come! You're so lucky. I live in the next town (Auburndale) and haven't seen any since last April. We do, however, have lots and lots of warblers. And today I saw 2 goldfinches. My first sighting of this bird since I moved to Florida in 2004.
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Post by moboston on Feb 15, 2011 9:45:02 GMT -5
Saw an adult male hummer at one feeder yesterday. Thought it was strange - the male Rufous usually keeps the Rubys away. Then I saw the male Rufous on the side yard where the female Rufous usually stays. Didn't see her at all yesterday. I am thinking the male Ruby may have been migrating - he was really thin looking.
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Post by moboston on Feb 15, 2011 9:45:32 GMT -5
Saw an adult male hummer at one feeder yesterday. Thought it was strange - the male Rufous usually keeps the Rubys away. Then I saw the male Rufous on the side yard where the female Rufous usually stays. Didn't see her at all yesterday. I am thinking the male Ruby may have been migrating - he was really thin looking.
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Post by lilyopath on Mar 23, 2011 8:40:51 GMT -5
Today is March 23, and the RT hummers are still here. I don't see them as much because they are going to the flowers more and more. One of the hummers, the immature male, has been here since Christmas. The mature male may be the same one that was here at Christmas or may be a different one...I'm not sure.
The hummers love the coral honeysuckle, the red shrimp plant, and the lipstick salvia.
Yesterday I was watching the goldfinches when a male RT hummer suddenly appeared a foot or two from my nose before he went on to a feeder. I was surprised and delighted.
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Post by lilyopath on Mar 29, 2011 11:01:43 GMT -5
It's March 29. I have had an immature RT male (here since Christmas) and a RT female in the yard all day for the last three days. The immature male is frequently chasing the female; he wants all the feeders to himself!
I haven't seen a mature hummer male in several days.
The goldfinches are all over the yard today.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 1, 2011 13:50:15 GMT -5
April 1
I have hummers, goldfinches, and a catbird. I've never seen a catbird before, but the book says they are winter residents.
Did you see in the Ledger that Tom Palmer saw a RT hummingbird nest on the Lake Wales Ridge?
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Post by moboston on Apr 1, 2011 20:27:26 GMT -5
I posted earlier today on the ruby throated section that I had a female show up last night. Put out new sugar water and she has been feeding all day. Guess that the flowers weren't providing enough nectar yet with all the rain. Hoping she will stay awhile. I hadn't seen any hummers for several weeks when the males came through.
Wow on the hummer nest - good to know.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 4, 2011 19:07:09 GMT -5
The male RT hummer is back. My husband thinks there are three or four RT hummers in yard.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 5, 2011 14:00:13 GMT -5
April 5
The hummers are very active today. I've seen as many as three at a time. Maybe the weather does have an effect on them.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 9, 2011 8:51:31 GMT -5
April 9...still seeing hummers
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Post by Joe M on Apr 9, 2011 9:04:19 GMT -5
Still have my 4 hummers but have had to change all my feeders to the perching types. Bees have returned in droves, hundred (probably a thousand) the past two days. Making life miserable for the hummers. Not so bad this morning and it appears that peace is returning to the back yard. Joe M. Lakeland, FL
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 15, 2011 11:45:50 GMT -5
Today is April 15, and I still have hummers. They are in the flowers as well as the feeders. Still a good bit of guarding feeders, etc. I've seen several chases today.
My friend, Martha L., who lives off Ewell Rd. in southwest Lakeland reports about the same...guarding the food source and frequent RT hummer visitors.
She also said she got lots more hummers with homemade sugar water than with the store bought stuff.
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Post by moboston on Apr 15, 2011 19:17:57 GMT -5
My male who came in after the big storm stayed till Monday, the 11th but I hadn't seen him after that. He would normally show up at the feeders throughout the day but would feed late in the evening, up till about 7:45 pm. So I had given up hope that he was still around.
Lo and behold this afternoon a male showed up at one of the feeders. I can't be sure if it is the same male, could only see its back but he sat there a long time, beak up looking around. He finally nectared from the feeder but it took a long time for him to do so. It made me think that maybe he wasn't sure about using a feeder and therefore may not be the same male. Don't know but hope he comes back tomorrow.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 16, 2011 12:41:12 GMT -5
Moboston, I'm glad to hear that you have a male hummer.
It's 1:39 PM on April 16, and the RT hummers have been very active and constantly visible in the yard all day.
The same is true at Martha L.'s house.
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Post by Joe M on Apr 16, 2011 15:04:04 GMT -5
Well I will add my name to the list of Male Ruby sightings! After 4 days of no activity had a male at a feeder yesterday afternoon. Back again today and verified he does not have a band, so he is a new guy. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by moboston on Apr 16, 2011 15:57:34 GMT -5
Changed feeders this morning and by the time I got inside, the male was at the pergola feeder. Couldn't get a look at his right leg so don't know about a band but he appears to have some damage to his beak. I am pretty sure its not the one that was here after the storm.
Joe - why are we seeing adult males when I thought they would have left here by now and that the migration would have been over for them in our area?
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 16, 2011 20:38:27 GMT -5
We had lots of hummer excitement here today. The hummers were constantly in the yard. Two males duked it out all afternoon...constantly. I lost count after 16 or 17 rounds. They were still chasing each other after the sun went down. A female came to the feeder, and they didn't chase her off!
And another thing. I've never seen a male hummer flash another male hummer, but one of the hummers appeared to be doing just that! And then the chasing was on. Also, they made different sounds from the sound I am used to hearing.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 16, 2011 20:46:11 GMT -5
Yes, Joe and Steve, why so many mature males?
I have not seen so much hummer activity since the little female was hurt. The other hummers would hit her on the head and bit her bill. She was hurt too badly and I'm sure died in a day or two. Very sad. This was some time ago.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 17, 2011 9:42:03 GMT -5
Could it be that male RT hummers are migrating into our area?
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Post by virgo10 on Apr 18, 2011 6:11:15 GMT -5
I'm in Auburndale but I had to tell you that while I was reading this thread and after a 2 day absence, I just looked out the window to see that the female we had in the yard last week has returned. Nice way to start the day!!
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Post by Joe M on Apr 18, 2011 7:50:29 GMT -5
Why an apparent increase or more male ruby sightings? 1. I think there are more 'eyes' looking for hummers and reporting them. 2. We have had a few unusual weather disturbances in FL (unusual for the time of the year) very early. This may have had the effect of pushing them into areas they would not normally prefer to be. 3. Spring temperatures have come later than usual to the north of us and I suspect all the normal migration to the north has been pushed back by a week or two. There are also studies indicating the resident hummingbird population declined in Florida starting in the early 1900's and is now possibly expanding again. I would like to believe the latter explanation. Time will tell. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 18, 2011 8:32:21 GMT -5
Congratulations, Virgo10. I am wishing you lots more hummingbirds.
Thank you, Joe M.
In addition to hummers I saw a red headed woodpecker this morning. I don't think I've ever seen one in my yard before.
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Post by osprey66 on Apr 19, 2011 14:53:54 GMT -5
lucky you lilly, red headed woodpecker and hummers in your yard . Thats one fantastic yard
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