Sitting on back deck right now, watching a female Rufous & a male Black-chinned tangle with each other for ports at the nectar feeder. Nowhere near your numbers, Bill. But, enough to keep things exciting.
Had 3 different hen Turkeys coming in, up until a couple weeks ago. Have gone silent lately, so will probably start showing with young for spilled sunflower seeds from the platform feeder, before too long. Others with young: BH Grosbeaks, Bullock’s Orioles, Lazuli Buntings, House Finches, House Wrens, American Goldfinches, American Robins, Yellow Warblers, Cedar Waxwings, BC Chickadees, Western Wood-Pewees & RN Sapsuckers.
Plus, a flyover by a wildfire-fighter air tanker out of Pocatello, awhile ago. Unfortunately, that time of year.
I had several male rufous week of 7/10, maybe a little longer. Now none seen recently. Just have to try and find females among flocks. Numbers down some from past, but averaging over a quart per day, so 200+.
Turkeys still hunkered down up the hill raising their broods.
Finally, Rufous Hummingbirds appeared at my feeder this evening about 7:30. An adult female & a juvenile have been coming in for past half hour & giving an adult male Black-chinned fits!
But, what was really fascinating to me was the Rufous’ arrival. This year I moved my nectar feeder off of a deck hangar & onto a post hangar about 30 ft into the yard. Allows for better binocular views & I don’t scare them, going in & out of house, or reading on the deck. The female must have, literally, just arrived & been here in the past. As she suddenly “appeared” at the exact level & spot where the feeder used to be located off the deck rail. It took her a few twists & turns to find the new location & she hasn’t been back to the deck since.
I’ve read hummingbirds remember flower locations & those of feeders, as well. But, to witness it was, indeed, exciting. We should all be so lucky with our memory to be…”bird-brained”!
The Heermann’s Gull reported at Henry’s Lake State Park was
present until dark tonight. It acts like it’s familiar with the
area so I’m guessing it will be around for a while and probably
already has been. Time will tell.
I haven’t seen any male hummingbirds for about a week so I would say the males have started heading south. The females and youngsters are the only ones hitting the feeders now.
Looked back & my first Fall migration Rufous Hummingbird last year was July 2nd. Haven’t seen any yet at feeder, only Black-chinneds, so far this year. Checked eBird & it appears Rufous have started their southward trek. Anybody spotting some that appear to be on the move? Just curious.
Brian Carrigan Blackfoot
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
