N Florida and the FL Panhandle Info

[Joe M]

Many in North and western FL may be unaware of several Hummingbird Banders that are active in your area during the winter season and a look at their activity and reports may give you some valuable information.
The "Hummingbird Research Organization" publishes and posts the results of their banding activities on their web site: www.hummingbirdresearch.net/p1.html.

On the left side of their home page they have a link to "Hummer Updates".

Fred Bassett's updates relate to his activity in the FL Panhandle and would be of interest to those in southern AL, east to Tallahassee.
Fred Dietrich's updates are primarily related to the Tallahassee area (+ or - 50 miles).

Many accustomed to thinking that we only have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in FL will be astonished to learn that we have many other western species that visit and spend the winter here in FL Our western states may lay claim to having the most species of hummers during the summer month but FL probably has the most in the winter months!

MOST IMPORTANTLY; They welcome reports of hummers you have during the winter months (Nov. through Feb.) so they can visit, band and document your wintering hummers.
Also on the left side under the link "Meet our Banders" is contact information for the "Banders"!

For those on the west coast of FL and the central area of FL, Fred Bassett makes an annual trip in Jan. and I know he is always looking for hummers to band. Please bookmark the site and give him a call next winter if you have hummers visiting your yard!

I have had 5 species of Hummingbirds documented (banded) here in Lakeland during the winter months, so I know we should all be looking for other species in the winter months, not just Ruby-throated!

[Ororo Munroe]

I kept hummingbird feeders up all winter at my Tallahassee home I saw my last hummingbird October 29,2015.....I didn't see any hummers this winter was my first year watching them.....I'm happy to say that the hummingbirds have returned to my house......I live in a rural area in the Tallahassee area.

[Joe M]

Ororo,
I'm surprised you have not seen hummers during the winter months (Nov. through Feb.) in Tallahassee. The most frequent hummers in your area in the winter are Rufous and Black-chinned. Most of the banding reports from both "Fred's" indicate that both species are the most common in the winter months. Ruby-throated are the 3rd most reported in the area.

[Ororo Munroe]

Thanks for the new information..... I will keep my eyes open this winter

[Tracey]

I recently walked out side to see a hummingbird looking humming around a red pot I have one my patio table so I decided to put feeders out. Now I have several hummers frequenting my two feeders about every 15 min. I'm sure they're black chinned male and female. So fun to watch.

[Joe M]

Tracey,
You might take a closer look at your hummers and see if they are Ruby-throated? The reason I mention this is that in certain light the red gorget of a Ruby-throat can fool the eye and appear black. Another reason is that the Black-chinned is a western hummingbird and it would be very unusual for one or two to show up in FL until Nov. or Dec. to overwinter here.

This is what I mean:

[Janine]

This is my fi st year with feeders. I live in gulf Breeze Florida. I am wondering will I see himmingbirds this winter or should put my feeders away until the spring. Also if I put them away when should I bring them back out?
Thank you

[Al P]

A hummingbird vists my feeder in Crawfordville, Florida. I don’t see it often but now and then. Don’t know how many. Love seeing them this summer.

[Debbie Argiroff]

Mar 31, 2016 15:43:39 GMT -5 Joe M said:

Ororo,
I'm surprised you have not seen hummers during the winter months (Nov. through Feb.) in Tallahassee. The most frequent hummers in your area in the winter are Rufous and Black-chinned. Most of the banding reports from both "Fred's" indicate that both species are the most common in the winter months. Ruby-throated are the 3rd most reported in the area.

Hello I’m in Pensacola area wild life sanctuary I saw hummingbirds up to November !!
I’m going to put back my hummingbird Feeder today Feb 3
They took a while to come last summer first time feeders up
No one around
My hanging plants attracted them as well
They love petunias anything pink
The love it right by the ocean
Hope to see more in March !
I believe hummingbirds are spiritual
Surround yourself with them you will be protected

[Kathy]

We have been watching a hummingbird on our shrimp plants every day. She was just there on December 6th in Jacksonville, FL.