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Hummer sightings and notes from my Valrico FL yard.

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Saturday, December 23, 2006

Male Rufous Continues to Rule
The male Rufous has settled in along the south side of the yard in the hibiscus hedge. Unfortunately, he's chased off most of the regular hummers. I believe most of them are still around. Just not as regular as before. I still hear chasing from all corners of the yard but I don't see the regulars sitting in their regular places.
 
He doesn't seem to mind the female Rufous as I observed him sitting atop a hibiscus while she cruised the powderpuff chipping loudly. They have both taken refuge in the powderpuff at the same time as well.
23 dec 06 @ 3:23 pm est

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

3 Rufous Day
The young male Rufous was again spotted yesterday by 4 visiting birders. This morning, he made another brief appearance. I also found a second female Rufous that was bathing in the leaves in the top of a neighbor's holly tree. Hopefully, the hummers will continue to show up and not be driven away by too many Rufous.
13 dec 06 @ 8:53 pm est

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

2nd Rufous continues
The second Rufous was observed yesterday morning in the neighbor's yard across the street. He spent much of his time in a large holly. In a 15-20 minute time span, we observed the Rufous along with three Ruby-throats (1 adult male, 1 young male, and one probable female) from one vantage point. 
6 dec 06 @ 6:48 am est

Monday, December 4, 2006

2nd Rufous - male
I looked out the window this morning and saw a full rufous-backed bird at a feeder. When it looked up I was able to see that it had an incomplete gorget indicating that it is a first year male Rufous Hummingbird. The female was quick to chase him off. I view this with guarded excitement as previous years when we had males, we had very few other hummers. They have always been much more territorial than the returning female.
 
Hummingbird activity continues in the yard with much activity but there are still lulls. A little weather always helps to increase the activity as it brings in a new bird or two.
4 dec 06 @ 8:36 am est


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Questions or comments?
E-mail me at: Backes1@verizon.net

Invitation to Visit
 
My yard is open to anyone who would like the chance to see the birds and other wildlife it offers. I only ask that you call at
813-689-9967 or e-mail me at backes1@verizon.net ahead of time if possible.  
 
Maps to my yard can be found at:
 
 

Summary of Hummingbirds Banded in My Yard:
 
January 2002
Rufous
After Second Year Female
Black-chinned -
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated -
After Hatching Year Female
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
 
January 2003
Rufous
Second Year Female
 
November 2003
Rufous
After Hatching Year Female
Rufous
After Hatching Year Male
 
January 2004
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
 
January 2005
Rufous - 
After Second Year Female
(Originally banded 11/2003)
Black-chinned -
After Hatching year Female (1)
Black-chinned -
After Hatching year Female (2)
Black-chinned -
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male
 
August 2005
Rufous - 
After Second Year Female
(Believed to be the bird originally banded 11/2003 - Not confirmed)
 
November 2005
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
 
January 2006
Ruby-throated
After Hatching Year Female
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male (1)
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male (2)
Ruby-throated - 
Second Year Male (3)
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male (4)
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male (5)
 
August 2006
Rufous - 
After Second Year Female
(Originally banded 11/2003 - Confirmed by photo of 3 numbers on band)
 
January 2007
Rufous - 
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male
 
January 2008
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male
Rufous - 
After Second Year Female
(Originally banded 11/2003)
Ruby-throated
Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Female
Ruby-throated
After Second Year Male
 
Totals:
Rufous - 5
Black-chinned - 4
Ruby-throated - 21
Return Birds - 4 (Same individual 4 years)

A Few Photos of Hummers That Have Passed Through My Yard

Adult female Rufous Aug. 2006 - banded Nov. 2003

Adult female Rufous 8/2006 banded 11/2003

Adult male Rufous Humingbird banded Nov. 2003

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird banded Jan. 2005

Im. Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird banded  Jan. 06