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Post by Don on Oct 10, 2011 12:41:45 GMT -5
Had a wonderful surprise during the rain storm. A male ruby throated hummingbird fed on the nectar plants in the garden all day Saturday Oct 8th and Sunday Sunday Oct 9th during the storm. It appeared to be a healthy immature male. It also seemed to be looking for small spiders or bugs around the eves, windows and in the trees. I still have feeders up but I did not see it go to them. This is the latest sighting I have had. I am curious if it was migrating or may be wintering here. The other resident ones all departed the end of August.
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Post by Joe M on Oct 11, 2011 7:43:09 GMT -5
Don,
Would say the chances of the bird remaining in the area are about 50/50.
Late Oct./Nov. hummers are probably not going to continue on to Central Am. and will remain in the area. Your hummer is not familiar with artificial feeders and it might take him some time to figure it out but his curiosity may make that possible. You might try a different type, that sometime works. Picking off dead insects caught in spider webs is not uncommon.
I once watched a black-chinned visit a web every morning picking off the spiders overnight catches. Never bothered with the spider, seemed to take advantage of the spiders "food kitchen".
Joe M.
Lakeland
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Post by birdiefood on Oct 18, 2011 12:55:17 GMT -5
Jacksonville, Florida. Not home enough to see who is eating from my feeder, but the feeder is empty of the eight ounces abuot every three days. I was wondering would I have the hummers all winter. Anyone know.
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Post by ruskinmel on Oct 25, 2011 11:06:19 GMT -5
I would also like to know about whether all ruby-throats go to Mexico for the winter. Do some stay here? There was what appeared to be a male (tiny red spot on its throat) last week, a bit roughed up it seemed after the rains, but it's gone. I wonder if it will be the last. I guess my real question is, should I keep my feeder up all fall and winter? I have seen hummingbirds all month, and last month, too. Will other species visit in the fall?
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Post by moboston on Oct 25, 2011 16:04:16 GMT -5
You didn't say where you were located but I'm guessing Ruskin? Yes, by all means keep your feeders up and stocked with fresh sugar water every 3-4 days. It is funny but here in Lakeland, some areas have hummers in the summer and during migration times while those of us on the south side have hummers that stay all winter and into early spring. I have had Ruby-throateds since late August. Each tends to stay a week or so then moves on and is soon replaced by 1 or 2 others. The ones that stay with me usually come in Dec. However, there is a gal here who had Rubies all summer and is still seeing them. Others have had returning hummers already arrive that will stay the winter. So - the answer is yes - keep your feeders up!
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Post by moboston on Oct 25, 2011 16:05:25 GMT -5
You didn't say where you were located but I'm guessing Ruskin? Yes, by all means keep your feeders up and stocked with fresh sugar water every 3-4 days. It is funny but here in Lakeland, some areas have hummers in the summer and during migration times while those of us on the south side have hummers that stay all winter and into early spring. I have had Ruby-throateds since late August. Each tends to stay a week or so then moves on and is soon replaced by 1 or 2 others. The ones that stay with me usually come in Dec. However, there is a gal here who had Rubies all summer and is still seeing them. Others have had returning hummers already arrive that will stay the winter. So - the answer is yes - keep your feeders up!
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