Hummers have been pretty quiet lately. I am down to 1 or 2 Ruby-throateds. The female Rufous put in only one appearance today. I didn't see her yesterday, but I was out most of the day. The young male Rufous has not been around for a couple of days. Weather has been warm and muggy with strong gusty southeasterly winds.

I walked in from the grocery a few minutes ago and was thrilled to find a Buff-bellied working over the flowers on the deck. WOOHOO!!!

We are expecting colder weather tomorrow. The war games will begin.

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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

That... is fun

Let the good times roll in Metairie!

Bud
Southwest Ohio
USDA Plant Zone 6a

Camera: Pentax K20D
Lens: Pentax DA*300 f/4, Sigma 180 f/3.5 Macro
There's 1 or 2 more hummingbird / butterfly pics located here...
http://www.pbase.com/budohio

I could only dream about 3 species at once, enjoy the ride!

Pam NJ 6B

You and me both, Pam. Nancy and I went to Lizette's to catch her Rufous the other day. We tried for her Buffy but no go. When we attempted to pull off she checked the Colibrimobile to make sure we didn't try to make off with him. I have one little immature male now but could accept more visitors. The more the merrier!

Cogratulations, Nancy!

Joan Garvey - Metairie, LA Zone 9

WOOO-HOOOOOOOH!!!! Is Buffy wearing a bracelet?

Lizette, New Orleans, La.
USDA Zone 9

Oh Boy! What a fun time in your yard now Nancy! Hoping to hear you traps will have a few distinquished visitors today!! Good luck!

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

That is great news, Nancy. I continue to keep my eyes peeled for another sighting.

Suchei

A Buffy already! Is this a little early or is it within the time frame that you usually have a Buffy? Three species at once....that must rezally be quite a thrill. It certainly would be for me.


Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Penny, it really isn't all that early. Several have been reported already. If this is the returnee from last year and the year before, he returned on 1 November last year. I have not been able to see him perched yet as he hangs out deep in the shrubbery, a typical Buffy behavior. The Buffy that returned for 9 years used to come back in July!

Both Buffy and the female Rufous are in today along with a couple of Ruby-throateds. It was chilly and rainy this morning and the hummers were very active. Now, it has turned sunny and they are taking more insects and roving around the neighborhood more.

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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

Wow, July! I didn't realize that they showed up quite so early.
I was thinking that it was a bit later into November before you saw Buffy last year. I will have to pay more attention to dates.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Just an update: So far today, 1 November, I have not seen any Ruby-throateds. Two were present yesterday and they were feeder birds. There may be more to come, but I doubt that most tardy migrants will make the journey all the way to southern Mexico and beyond. I've banded a few Ruby-throateds in the last few days and they carry little fat, which seems to be typical. Last year, I hosted 3 or 4 Ruby-throateds over the winter, but so far, I have not seen any of those.

The Buff-bellied is still present, but he is in no mood to let me see if he is banded. He chatters loudly as he dashes at warp speed around the yard. He has used almost every feeder, taking a 2 second sip and dashing off.

The female Selasphorus has been most cooperative lately. Since day before yesterday, she has been using a feeder that I've placed within a trap. At first, the feeder was in the door and I have judiciously inched it farther back every few hours. I will try to nab her this afternoon.

Sounds kinda like Buffy has been in your yard before - doesn't want any part of being caught...hmmmm..... yard boss...???

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6