The cold front that came through a couple of days ago seems to have brought in some new birds. I'm seeing an increase in activity in my yard as are my neighbors. There seems to be a considerable increase in adult male Ruby-throat activity this week. I've also observed "pairs" of hummers that seem less willing to give up a perch and join a chase. One hummer will hover over another going through the gambit of display flights only to give up and sit on a perch a few feet away form the other. This never lasts long but it's nice to see them sitting still periodically.

 

While most of the previously described as "resident" hummers are no longer predictable as to where they can be found, the female Rufous has been very predictable in that she's usually at one of 4 or 5 perches. Three of those perches are viewable from my kitchen window so I usually know where she is sitting. She also seems to follow me quite a bit again. If I'm in the yard, she'll choose the perch closest to me and sit out in the open looking down at me.

 

Also seen in the neighborhood this week have been a couple of chickadees (uncommon in the hood), a female House Finch in my yard and a yellow variant male in the neighbors', and first of the season Ruby-crowned Kinglets, sapsuckers, and Palm Warblers.

After a brief period of activity yesterday morning I decided to check my records for last year to compare with this year. I was reporting "at least 5 Ruby-throats and the female Rufous" on October 1st last year and that's where I am now. Numbers began increasing around the first of November.

I'm still seeing most of the same birds. I haven't had a lot of time to observe the yard lately but have noticed that early moring seems to have the most activity. The Rufous spends much of her day on a perch in the center of the feeding area above the larger plastic gazebo seed feeder.

I haven't had much time to sit in the yard this week and it's very quiet this morning. It's probably due to my insistence earlier this week that you're guaranteed to see hummers any time of the day. I was able to see the Rufous and a female type Ruby-throat (female/young male with no noticeable gorget feathers) in an hours sitting late yesterday.

 

I was outside for a good hour today before hearing a hummer. I finally saw the Rufous and heard a second bird (most likely a Ruby-throat). I'd say this is a good indication that migration is not happening today.

 

Other birds seen this week have been a number of unidentified thrushes and a Scarlet Tanager.