Have been watching the nectar feeder quite a bit, last few days. Since Tuesday, have only seen juvenile hummingbirds coming in. Black-chinned, Rufous & Calliope with two big bursts of activity: dawn & about 2 hours before dusk, otherwise, intermittent throughout the day. 

 

Started internet researching hummingbird migration & appears that “instinct” plays a big role in their travels. As the adults vacate the region first & the juveniles are left on their own. So, seems they have an inherited instinctual ability to navigate their travels, without adults guiding. Fascinating. Also, read that found through banding studies, at least 15% of juveniles return to immediate area where hatched each year. Would welcome any thoughts, pro or con, on my findings, esp by those who have been involved with hummingbird banding, etc. 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot