An interesting one this AM. I’ve had a female Rufous Hummingbird coming into the feeder for about 5 days now. She came again this AM, followed by the female Black-chinned. Then, a male Rufous came in and has taken over the feeder for the past 1 1/2 hr. Living up to the male Rufous’ aggressive nature!

What’s interesting is, we have had Rufous migrate through in the spring & again late Aug/early Sept on their clockwise migration pattern. But, I don’t have a yard record for one in July. Let alone 2, & male & female at that. I looked up Rufous & it could be that they are already headed back south for their winter migration. In Latilong 21, Rufous is listed as transient. So, I suspect the 2 are migrating south & have just located a ready, man-made nectar source & are lingering. But interesting to observe.

Also, have been watching my Black-headed Grosbeaks switch from a fully sunflower seed diet to fewer seeds & more insects now. Even to the point of ticking off the resident Western Wood-Pewee, who was hot on the tail of a male Grosbeak earlier today. The Grosbeaks are even doing some fly-catching although with nowhere near the grace of the Pewees! I mainly see them stalking through the lawn, scaring & snapping up insects.

Otherwise, Happy 4th!
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot