BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....

Subject: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 06:32 PM

Yep, this is the day that I don't look forwatd to when the humming birds take on a little extra water and beat feet, 'er wings. I knew it was coming when one hovered about 3 feet from my face last night as I was sitrting on the back deck...

This mornin' one hovered by the kitchen window as said "bye" to the P-Vine and then they were out-a-here... Yep, off to winterin' down in Panama or Yuckatan...

Gonna miss my little buddies... Can't wait fir spring...

Sniff...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Reiver 2
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 07:06 PM

Mine left too, either the 15th or 16th, though I didn't see them go. Just noticed their absence. Now just one pair of Annas left who stay all winter here in AZ. I'm glad they stay.

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Padre
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 09:32 PM

Our local HBs have left, but we hope that some of the more Northern ones will stop by for a quick pint on the way further South, so we leave the feeder up until St. Matthew's day (Septermber 21). Found an empty nest yesterday in the rhododendron bush. Always amazed how small they are, and how well constructed.

Padre

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 10:07 PM

Yeah, Padre, I got a bunch of nests I've collected over the years. So well constructed that I'd love to see architects and engineers have to live a week as a bird...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 11:52 PM

Down here in Texas they can be seen year round, according to Howard Garrett (The Dirt Doctor, of organic gardening fame, who always signs off his radio program "and don't forget to feed the birds!"). I had a couple of them bobbing and weaving through the vitex on Sunday when I was out in the yard doing a little transplanting. They may be coming through from the north, because I actually haven't seen as many over the summer as I'm seeing this fall.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: open mike
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 01:55 AM

oops i just filled my feeder--probably shouldn't have...
don't want to disctract them from their appointed rounds...
it'll be gone in a day or two any way...I have lots of
buddelia (sp?) butter fly bushes--purple spikey flowers..'and
they like them. but hot as much as the tiger swallowtails!

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: gnu
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 04:31 AM

I think my mother's feeders haven't been touched for almost a week but she refuses to let me take them down. We had quite a show this year with regular visits by six or more. Boy, them little suckers are viscious about territory.

Bobert.... when you collect a nest, do the come back to the same spot (or close) and build again ?

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Metchosin
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 04:41 AM

So sorry you are going to loose your hummers for awhile Bobert. Way up here in western Canada, Anna's Hummingbird stays all winter. Of course, we rarely tell anyone in Eastern Canada about them, because that would be rubbing it in, when they are in the deep freeze.

Some years here, the Rufous Hummingbird has been known to return from warmer climes as early as February 8th too, so winter won't seem that long I hope.

Don't know if we should really feel good about that or more worried about global warming. The American Robin now nests in the Mackenzie Delta in the Arctic and there is no word in the native vocabulary for them, as they never used to venture that far north.

Oddest thing regarding hummers happened to a neighbour a few years ago when he was out for an afternoon snooze on his deck. One of the wee beasties must have mistook Al's large red nose for a flower on the humming bird feeder. He was awakened when the bird stuck its tongue up his nose.

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: artbrooks
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 07:25 AM

The pair of black-chins who nest in my yard are still here...and their kids. They'll be here for a few weeks yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: GUEST,EBarnacle on another computer
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 06:22 PM

When my former and I got married, a ruby-throat flew into her bouquet.

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 08:42 PM

gnu:

Well, I have never found a hummingbird's nest but find various nests every year, many of them in the same places. I have observed this one female hummingbird that has a particular branch it lands on during the past three seasons. I'm sure its the same bird. I think they live about 5 years so maybe she'll be back fir a couple more summers,

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Robin2
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 09:03 PM

I was hoping I would have mine for another week or so....
but I sat outside tonight and didn't see a one, when I usally see them every 2 minents or so.

They have meant alot to me this year, because I can see them now. Last year I was blind due to cateracts, but now can see again due to surgery. That makes them special!

Robin2

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: gnu
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 06:17 AM

I marvel at the nest in Mum's apple tree when the leaves fall but I never touch it.

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 06:51 AM

I would love to see a humming bird (but not one that had hit the road... that would be messy)

I take it I won't see any on my trip to new England this October then? :0(

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: Arnie
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 09:37 AM

Not much chance of seeing a humming bird in the UK! However, there's a 'jenny' wren in my back garden which is our smallest bird. Very rarely seen but heard all day long - especially when the cats are out hunting when it really pumps up the volume - suprisingly loud for such a little bird. Also, a chiffchaff has recently moved into the hedge and is now competing with the wren in the noise stakes. There's just no peace to be had in the countryside!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:41 PM

It's still warm in Tennessee--- they'll be around here for a little while yet. We had several this year. Last year was the first time I put up a feeder, and it took awhile for the birds to find it. This year, we had visitors the first day we put it out.

I'm also bummed that it's the end of blueberry season. Oh, sure, I can buy a half-pint of sour berries for $3. Back a month ago I could get TWO pints of fat, sweet berries for that.

But that gives me something to look forward to for next year. While I mourn the passing of summer, I also look forward to the arrival of fall. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:45 PM

was surprised to see one this morning....

Subject: RE: BS: Sniff... Humming Birds Hit the Road.....
From: harpgirl
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:46 PM

Loved your thread title, Bobert! I'll feed your little buddies on their way to Mexico!