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Post by nightowl007 on Oct 29, 2011 1:21:24 GMT -5
Edgewater Fl. still seeing ruby hummingbirds. they are comming all day.cold days I do not see them.
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 30, 2011 12:37:26 GMT -5
I'm not really seeing an increase in the number of hummers yet. Is anyone else seeing more? I wonder if the weather is too warm, or, actually, if it's just not as cold as it has been in previous years.
I've seen hummers in south Lakeland everyday that I've been home since before Christmas last year. I think they are here year round.
I have at least two hummers now; both RT, I think.
I have at least one male.
I have seen more mature males in the last year than in previous years.
Lily
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Post by Joe M on Dec 31, 2011 10:06:59 GMT -5
My numbers are lower than they have been the past 4-5 years. Had 5 through Christmas day but one has vanished this past week. I suspect a pedator may be the culprit since he was a three year return adult male. Have never had a over wintering hummer vanish in mid winter. With more cold weather forcast for the panhandle I suspect our prospects for seeing additional hummers may improve the next few weeks. Last year we had unseasonally cold weather before Christmas which has not been the case this year. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by Joe M on Dec 31, 2011 15:51:20 GMT -5
Follow up on my last post! The predator was most likely a 'rat snake' which had been lurking in an oak and on the same branch, and same place on the branch, that the Male Ruby-throated had used as a favorite perching spot. However I feel a bit better since another adult male showed up shortly after noon today and has been 'hogging' the feeder that my female has had to herslf for the past 2 months. Suspect that they will share until, one or the other, finds the other feeder which is not currently used by any others. (photo attached) Joe M. Lakeland Attachments:
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Post by marthaloul on Jan 17, 2012 16:25:09 GMT -5
I just love reading all your posts and decided to join the forum. I live in southwest Lakeland with wetlands behind us. I am happy to report that despite the freeze damaged remains of all my hummingbird attracting plants that the birds are continuing to come to the feeders. I think all but one are females and the one I am not sure of because by the time I get the binoculars out and find the feeder in them it is gone. I have seen three at once on occasion so I am sure there are three birds but I don't know how many more.
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Post by moboston on Jan 19, 2012 21:08:52 GMT -5
Well, Fred Bassett banded in my yard today and caught my one bird that has been feeding since Jan 6th. Turned out to be an immature male Ruby. I wasn't sure if it was a female or male but was sure it was a Ruby-throated.
Still hoping to see my two Rufous again. I don't want freezing temps but colder weather in the Panhandle would be welcomed by me.
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Post by Joe M on Jan 30, 2012 12:02:18 GMT -5
Observed two new hummers in the back yard this morning. An immature male ruby throated and an adult female ruby. Puts my numbers back in the at least 8 hummers with one being an immature black-chinned. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by moboston on Feb 9, 2012 9:54:46 GMT -5
Pretty certain that this is the immature male Ruby-throated that Fred banded in my yard on Ja. 20th. If so, he pouted for a couple of weeks and wouldn't use my feeders but now is back to his usual place for perching in the Crape Myrtle tree and using both of the back feeders. I did change to a new feeder for the place where he was caught, thinking it might help and maybe it did. Anyway, appears he is heavy into molting now and is looking pretty ratty. Hoping he will stay for a few more weeks so I can see his finished gorget. Attachments:
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Post by lilyopath on Mar 30, 2012 11:32:04 GMT -5
I'm still seeing RT hummers...mature males, females and immature males here in south Lakeland. The feeders, the firecracker from Bok Tower (not the one commonly sold) and the coral honeysuckle seem to be really attacting them. So glad to have them.
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Post by marthaloul on Apr 2, 2012 5:42:11 GMT -5
I had a male off and on all weekend. Late yesterday afternoon there was a female at the feeder and a second one came to the feeder. At that point they had a little bird discussion and flew off - one in the direction of the blue salvia. I am expecting to see them more often now as the blue salvia is starting to bloom as is the candy corn cuphea. A couple of red pentas and a red salvia have been blooming for a while with little visitors. Our house is off Ewell Rd on Poley Creek in South Lakeland.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 4, 2012 21:33:31 GMT -5
Still seeing hummers, just not as many or as often. Martha L. says they are all at her house!
Lily
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 6, 2012 17:37:02 GMT -5
I've seen RT hummers chasing each other several times today, so they are definately still here and active.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 8, 2012 20:11:09 GMT -5
I was standing next to a variety of firecracker from Bok Tower when I was surprised by a beautiful mature male RT hummer about 8:00 PM. He was only about three feet from me and spent lots of time in the firecracker, even perching briefly. Then he flew into the oak tree and perched. He didn't care about me being there at all!
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Post by moboston on Apr 10, 2012 11:12:56 GMT -5
Just when I thought I would not be seeing any more hummers for awhile, this gal comes to a feeder. I was lucky to catch a glimpse of her, much less a picture. Hope she hangs around a while longer. Attachments:
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 10, 2012 13:15:43 GMT -5
Moboston, I think you should expect to see hummers everyday. I've seen a single hummer three times already today. I don't know if it was the same one each time. Last evening I am sure there were at least two individual hummers....one a mature male and one a female.
Every night I have a "watch party". Only I'm not watching the sun set; I'm watching the hummers feed before dark, during the quiet twilight time. It's fun, and that's when it's cooler and very pleasant outside.
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Post by moboston on Apr 10, 2012 15:52:18 GMT -5
Well, I have had two more sightings today. Gusssing it is the same one using 2 feeders. I hadn't seen one for sure since April 1st - actually DH saw that one.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could find a nest being used in your yard or around you? You are lucky to still be seeing both males and females.
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Post by moboston on Apr 10, 2012 16:46:22 GMT -5
Well, I have had two more sightings today. Gusssing it is the same one using 2 feeders. I hadn't seen one for sure since April 1st - actually DH saw that one.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could find a nest being used in your yard or around you? You are lucky to still be seeing both males and females.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 10, 2012 16:50:28 GMT -5
I do feel lucky.
Last spring I hoped maybe I was seeing a female ruby with a nest, but I had to go out of town and didn't get to see if she came with babies later.
My neighbor, Theresa, says she has seen a mother ruby and babies in her yard; she told me this over a year ago...not lately. She has the most wonderful yard and garden complete with a koi pond. All this is just four houses from me.
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Post by marthaloul on Apr 11, 2012 6:37:37 GMT -5
I have just seen, for the first time at my house, 2 ruby throated hummers at the same feeder. One was feeding, the other flew up and hovered for a moment and then the first one moved over to the next feeding spot to allow the new one to feed. Very exciting for me! Location South Lakeland near Poley Creek
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 13, 2012 21:51:13 GMT -5
Joe, I saw a male Ruby late today starting about 7:15.
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Post by moboston on Apr 13, 2012 23:08:15 GMT -5
Saw a female this morning at feeder.
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 14, 2012 10:24:37 GMT -5
OK, all that gardening work was worth the effort! I just saw a female RT hummer flying along the wooden fence garden and going to all the salvias. Then she briefly checked out the feeder nearest the porch.
I've seen hummers several times already today. I thought I saw two this morning, but one zipped across the yard and over the hedge so quickly I wasn't 100% sure.
I've seen hummers going into and out of the hedge a good bit. Wouldn't it be great if there was a nest in there?!
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Post by Joe M on Apr 14, 2012 15:20:20 GMT -5
Lily, At about noon today I had a Male at the feeder and it's the first one I have had in about a month. So now there are two in the area, male and female Ruby-throated. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by Joe M on Apr 15, 2012 15:11:30 GMT -5
Picture of the male that showed up yesterday, note the damage to the base of his bill. Joe M. Lakeland Attachments:
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Post by moboston on Apr 15, 2012 16:52:10 GMT -5
Joe - do immature males successfully mate?
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Post by Joe M on Apr 16, 2012 9:09:24 GMT -5
"Hatch" year males do not, as far as I know. Shouldn't be any immature males yet, a bit early. Expect to see immatures in late May, early June. 1st year males, not hatch year males, after they develop their gorget will be more successful in attracting a receptive female. Joe
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 22, 2012 19:19:06 GMT -5
I saw a lot of hummer activity this morning. There were possibly three hummers, one of which was a mature male. Two hummers for sure. The male chased a female away twice; then another hummer came over the house and chased the male away. I wondered if the female came back and chased the male. Maybe she thought turnable was fair.
The coral honeysuckle, salvias, and the feeder continue to attract the hummers.
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Post by moboston on Apr 23, 2012 18:57:34 GMT -5
I changed the feeders this morning thinking if anyone was around, it might find the feeders handy since it is cooler weather. Late this afternoon, this adult male RT came to one. He has been back numerous times since. I am really surprised since I haven't seen an adult male since late Feb. Attachments:
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Post by lilyopath on Apr 24, 2012 14:05:28 GMT -5
The hummers are in the daylilies, the amaryllis, the coral honeysuckle, the salvias and the feeders. They are busy today!
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Post by moboston on Apr 24, 2012 17:29:45 GMT -5
The male is still here - feeding routinely at the same feeder.
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