Ok, here goes. Still have four feeders up, probably going through 2-3 4 cups feeders a day. I keep thinking they are slowing down, but then the mob hits again and all ports are occupied. I think all four species, fewer calliope, and the short billed stubby juvies. They seldom sit long enough to ID. I thought BC were down, but then the majority for a while. Guardy rufous try to monopolize a feeder, but don’t succeed long. Made up four batches yesterday and now they’re all out in feeders.
Wrens fledged from the satt dish nest yesterday. Turkeys are roaming and getting bigger, but not great flyers yet. Sandhills are working fields and sticking around. Great Horns are noisy in predawn light.
Getting 3 hummingbird species at feeders: Black-chinned, Rufous & Calliope. No Broad-tailed, as of yet. Have seen adults & juveniles of all the 3 that are pushing through, at present. But, in noticeably fewer numbers than past years. Only going through 2 to 3 oz, total, per day of nectar.
Be curious if Bill Moore will weigh in & let us know his numbers? I did read where E Oregon birders noted a significant decrease in Spring arrivals, of all bird species usual for their region, this year. Various explanations, including drought conditions in Western US. I’ll be curious to see what rest of the month & Sept brings at my location. But, so far, a decrease in hummingbird migrants at my spot on the map.
Just saw my first Calliope Hummingbird of the season, a female, come into the feeder this evening. As usual, she’s even more aggressive than the Rufous! Battling off both Black-chinned & Rufous Hummingbirds, and taking over the feeder for herself.
In theory, we’ll see a lake again but from what I understand, IDFG has plans to refurbish the main pond much as they did with the south ponds. Don’t know when that will happen though. The gate that accesses Sparrow Alley has been a problem ever since they rebuilt the fence. Whoever did the work made it too tight.
The lake itself is completely covered with tall vegetation with some reed beds around the edges, but these looked dried up also. There is some water in the marshy areas near the top of the road on the corner of the WMA, where we heard a Virginia Rail. The marshy area on the other side of the road looked much the same but the trail there has been turned into a gravel road. Access to this is almost impossible since the gate there was so tight it was v difficult to unfasten, even with both Amy & I trying. There is also a new gravel road alongside the length of the WMA, below the observation platform.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here? I am just wondering if we will ever see a lake again.
The southward trek of Rufous Hummingbirds arrived at my location this weekend. Males, females & juveniles hitting the feeder & outnumbering the Black-chinneds 3:1. A few really bright Rufous males appeared & catching the sun just right to flash that fiery crimson gorget! Good to see.
Saw my first juvenile hummingbird, a Black-chinned female, of season this AM. Most I’ve seen at feeder at one time is 4: male, female & juv BC & adult female Rufous. There’s been some male Rufous come thru, too. Not huge numbers this season, but enough to keep me entertained.
Hey all, just a note on how listservs work. When you reply-all and send an email to the IBLE@groups.io email address it sends that message to everyone on the entire listserv (which I’m guessing is hundreds of people if not more)
These messages are now on the internet for anyone to find Billie’s phone number and home address.
I think best practice for this group would be to NOT share personal contact information for other people with the entire group. Best to reply only to the original sender who made the inquiry.
Group admin, is there a way to remove those messages from the public site to protect Billie’s privacy? With how many spam robo-calls are out there these days I’m sure she would appreciate it.
Thanks for posting, Jeff. Haven’t had any juvenile hummingbirds at my feeder, yet. Still adults of Black-chinned & Rufous. Think there’s a Black-chinned nest in a windrow of Rocky Mtn Junipers, as I see both a male & female visit the feeder & return to same opening in one of the junipers, repeatedly. It’s about at a 15 ft level, so can’t see anything from below & not going to disturb them. From past years, juvenile hummingbirds should start appearing any day now. Most common juv hummers are the BC & Rufous, for us. Calliope usually show at our location by mid-Aug.
Although I don’t have more than a few, the hummers started showing up here about a week ago. Had a fun little segue with a Calliope taking a bath in my garden hose about 2 feet from my face. Haven’t looked close at the others, but I suspect they’re juvenile Rufous. I’m putting out a second feeder today.
Cheers,
Jeff Brough
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
