This note from Scott Weidensaul makes the point that if you are seeing hummers on a daily basis, they may not be the same ones day to day.=20
Mark Alt Black Belt-in-Training Lean Six Sigma Program Project Resource Group Best Buy Co., Inc. 612-291-6717 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Scott Weidensaul Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 9:41 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird behavior, Berks County It's typical for hummingbirds to find a prominent perch from which=20 to keep an eye on feeders, flowers and passing insects. But I'd=20 suggest that, given that we're in the midst of heavy hummingbird=20 migration, it may not be the same youngster you're seeing day after=20 day. By banding and color-marking the hummingbirds in my yard in=20 Schuylkill County, I realize I have near-complete turnover every day=20 or two in late August, as hummers leave and new ones appear - yet=20 they all seem to chose the same handful of perches (a dead branch on=20 the maple, an arching sprig of New York aster, and a leafless branch=20 on the crabapple are the favorites this year), day after day. I=20 suppose it's because hummers are all looking for the same combination=20 of factors, including prominence, location, proximity to food=20 supplies, etc., but I suspect it masks just how many hummingbirds may=20 be passing through. Scott Weidensaul Schuylkill Haven, PA >For the last two or three weeks , we have had a juvenile ruby=20 >throated hummingbird take up residence in our fringe tree in the=20 >front yard. She seems to be using the tree as a base of=20 >operatiions.There is a hummingbird feeder in the tree but there are=20 >also butterfly bushes, pentas, phlox and other flowering perennials=20 >surrounding the tree. She leaves for periods of time but always=20 >comes back and perches on some of the same branches in the tree. We=20 >are getting great views of her preening and relaxing in the tree and=20 >she is tolerant of other birds using the seed feeder that is also in=20 >the tree. The only birds she chases away are other hummingbirds. Do=20 >most hummingbirds have specific roost trees when not nesting ? We've=20 >always had hummingbirds coming to the flowers in our yard but this=20 >is the first time one has taken up temporary residence in our yard=20 >and given us such great viewing from our picture window. >Some of our other yard birds are carolina wrens, house finches,=20 >goldfinches, a cardinal family and noisy blue jays. > >Cindy Spayd >Hamburg, PA
