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Missing
Mar 20, 2012 18:10:19 GMT -5
Post by rickanderson on Mar 20, 2012 18:10:19 GMT -5
Where do the Ruby Throated Hummers go when they disappear shortly after coming back for the summer. Also, where do they nest
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Missing
Mar 23, 2012 15:14:20 GMT -5
Post by Joe M on Mar 23, 2012 15:14:20 GMT -5
I wish folks that post would sign off with their location? Not sure where you are making your observations from but it is still not summer and many hummers are still migrating through FL heading for summer breeding areas further north. The migration is most apparent in March and they are stopping to 'refuel' and then most will continue further north. Some will remain and breed in areas in the northern part of the state (Orlando nad North), but again this is a small segment of the population. Joe M. Lakeland
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Missing
Mar 23, 2012 17:58:13 GMT -5
Post by lilyopath on Mar 23, 2012 17:58:13 GMT -5
Joe, hummers are still here in my yard. I saw a female or an immature male a few minutes ago and a mature male late yesterday. The biggest hummer attractions in my yard right now are the feeders and the coral honeysuckle.
For anyone who doesn't know I am located in south Lakeland near 540A and Lakeland Highlands.
Lily
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Missing
Mar 24, 2012 20:44:32 GMT -5
Post by floridagardener on Mar 24, 2012 20:44:32 GMT -5
Joe - Does anyone have any idea about the population of hummers that breed here in Florida? I live on the east coast about 60 miles south of Kennedy Space Center. I see hummers year round here. I only see Ruby-throated hummers. I still have at least one (maybe two) adult males and one female here. I was thinking the males would be heading north by now but apparently the days are not long enough yet? I usually have only females during the summer months. (I rarely see males in the summer.)
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Missing
Mar 25, 2012 14:09:19 GMT -5
Post by Joe M on Mar 25, 2012 14:09:19 GMT -5
A small number of Hummers breed in FL, very few documented records of nests and fledged birds. But I suspect it would not be unusual in your area to have a female or two in the process of building, maintaining a nest and having young hummers. All my males disappeared in the past week but I have noticed a female visiting one of my feeders mid-day and no other times. Makes me a bit suspicious that she may have an active nest! Will try to she where she heads out after visiting the feeder but I am not confident that I will observe her on a nest. It' kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack. Joe M. Lakeland
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Missing
Mar 25, 2012 22:27:11 GMT -5
Post by moboston on Mar 25, 2012 22:27:11 GMT -5
I thought my female had left, had't seen her in a few days but sure enough she was back today - around the Firespike where I have been seeing her mostly. This is not the one that would sit in the Crepe Mrytle tree unless she has changed her MO. This one goes up into the Hackberry tree that is next to the fence by the Firespike. Once she is up there, I can't see where she is. As you said Joe - I only see her in mid-day, it seems.
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Missing
Mar 26, 2012 22:47:56 GMT -5
Post by floridagardener on Mar 26, 2012 22:47:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the information. Also wondering ... do Rufous breed and nest in Florida?
I've suspected the past two years that I may have nesting female RTHs in my area. I have a lot of small spiders and other insects in my yard and surrounding area that they could feed on for protein when raising young. And there is a lot of wooded areas around me. I see the females off and on during the day. In the summer, they mostly use the blooming plants for nectar, but right now they are still using the feeders.
Several males are still here as I am seeing them at the feeders in the morning before I go to work. When Doreen banded at my home in 2010, she looked at the area I live in and told me that it is possible that I could have nesting RTHs here. Apparently the area seems to be a habitat that might possibly be satisfactory for them to live and breed in the Spring and Summer months and perhaps even be resident RTH population which I believe one of the Florida grant studies is trying to determine. It might possibly explain why I see hummers pretty much year round here. But there is no way to know for sure without a bander catching them here throughout the year.
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Missing
Mar 27, 2012 11:28:36 GMT -5
Post by Joe M on Mar 27, 2012 11:28:36 GMT -5
do Rufous breed and nest in Florida?
None ever recorded to the best of my knowledge. Only a winter resident in FL. Primarily breeds in the northwestern US, extending its breeding range into wester canada and coastal Alaska. From late July they are famous for their wanderings and are reported in all Canadian provinces, and every state in the US. Joe M. Lakeland
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Missing
Mar 29, 2012 22:21:12 GMT -5
Post by floridagardener on Mar 29, 2012 22:21:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Joe for that information! I always wondered if other species nested here. Maybe they will in the future! We can only hope so!
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