Duval County/Jacksonville

[traceyi]

Ok, guys, I'm new to hummingbirds. First sighting EVER was end of May, but I've been checking out the photos and reading everything I can find on these guys so I could make my report.

I am right off Interstate 9A at Monument Rd in Jacksonville - Duval County.

I saw a dark colored male with the red gorget. I only saw him the one time (end of May), feeding on my salvia (blue bedder sage). He was huge compared to the ones I'm seeing now.

2nd appears to be a female. Looks exactly like the photo on the species page. She's been coming around several times daily since early June. Yesterday, it was literally every 2 hours. She'll check the salvia and then hit the feeder. I think my salvia is about spent right now.

And 3rd, I'm seeing a smaller one that is either tan or gray with the white neck band. I have seen him for the past 2 days a couple of times. I think he's been coming around longer, but I've just now been sure that it is a different bird since he was darting in and out so fast.

All I have in my backyard is the blue salvia and the feeder. The wind blows trumpet bloom flowers into my yard sometimes, so somebody has one close by. My neighbor's yard (where they appear to be returning when they leave my feeder) is full of trees, overgrown brush and leaves.

Not sure why the picked my yard, but I sure am enjoying them.

[traceyi]

Ok, I just spied another within the hour that I know I have not seen before.

This one had the brilliant shiny green back with no red. Guessing that's a young male.
(The other ones have had the dull muted colors with no shine.)

He just popped in for a quick stop at the feeder.

I have got to get some more flowers going fast so I can keep these guys coming around!!

[hummingbird231]

Wow, so happy for you Traci, we've been bit by the same bug, I'm crazy running from window to window, love these little birds. Glad to see some more people share this excitement. This site is really a great place to share our hummingbird experiences. Linda

[traceyi]

Thanks, Linda. I really feel like I have a little piece of heaven going on in the backyard. I'm definitely doing the window thing.

Here is some more info on my neighborhood if there are any more from Duval County out there....Interstate 9A at Monument Rd
There is a home about 1/8 mile from me on my daily dogwalking route. There is a feeder hanging from the front porch that always appears to be empty. Yesterday I could have sworn I saw a hummer flying away and then I realized the feeder was filled. Today I got the nerve to knock on the door because I wanted to ask about any plantings she might have in the back. She was just tickled to death to talk about her hummers. The front yard is completely barren of trees and plants. Turns out there is nothing flowering in the back either. She just hung up the feeder about 8 years ago and they have been coming back every year. She likes to think they are the same ones returning, but who knows. Says if the feeder is empty they will literally hang around waiting. Just uses the boiled sugar water. Must be slim pickens in my subdivision. Her feeder really sticks out like a sore thumb. Mine too, because I have no trees in the back. There is nothing flowering right now to attract in the neighborhood (in the front yards anyway) except a couple of lantana plants. Our neighborhood is nothing but oak trees. As far as I can tell, that's the only thing we have going for us over here. Sounds like in this neck of the woods if you put out the feeder they will come. If not, maybe they just don't see your feeder? Still going to put out some plants real soon if I can find any. Best excuse I can think of to finally bite the bullet and try to get serious at flower gardening....Apparently best excuse to meet my neighbor down the street too.

[hummingbird231]

Tracie,
That was good you got to talk to your neighbor. Across the street from our subdivision is another subdivision, I noticed a house with feeders in the yard, and a huge trellis with cape honeysuckle, but she has signs posted every where to stay out, even a video camera, so I dont think Im brave enough to knock on her door. I've drove by 3 times on purpose just hoping to see someone in the yard.
Have a good day hunting hummers.
Linda ;D

[traceyi]

I hung another feeder last night where I could watch from my home office window during the workday. It is on the opposite side of the house from my other feeder. I thought it was kind of out of sight but it was going nuts by noon today. No flowers nearby. I finally have an obvious adult male with the red gorget, possibly 2. Honestly, I am having so much activity now that it is hard to keep track of the new ones . Haven't seen them in pairs or groups yet. Still seeing 2 of my original regulars numerous times throughout the day. The one I was calling a female may have moved on. Just had another one sneak in as I was typing this. Thinking I might have to bust out the camera this weekend.