Interesting, Bill. Along Snake River, fall migrant Rufous appeared about a month ago. Now, they’re the most numerous at feeder & keeping the resident Black-chinneds away. I only do one nectar feeder & averaging 8 oz/day. For our location, that’s a lot of migrating Rufous. Still waiting for Calliope & Broad-tailed here. 

Overall, songbirds were really down in numbers this summer. Noticeably fewer Yellow Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers, Lazuli Buntings, Bullock’s Orioles, W Tanagers & Robins. Kind of think this summer’s heat & regional wildfires shifted Rufous migration, perhaps more along river riparian areas. 

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot