Away They Go

[rottiman]

Marked the calendar today as the day that our Hummingbirds have departed for their southern trip. Roughly about 2 weeks earlier than normal. Not sure what if anything this early departure means. We did have a larger population around all summer though.

 

[begreen]

They are going to have a hot trip in the middle of the country this week. It always amazes me how birds can do the long migration. But it is especially amazing for hummingbirds that burn fuel quickly and have very small tanks.

 

[Ehouse]

They are going to have a hot trip in the middle of the country this week. It always amazes me how birds can do the long migration. But it is especially amazing for hummingbirds that burn fuel quickly and have very small tanks.

I've read of hunters finding them in the feathers of downed geese and other large migrators. No proof of it, but cool to think about.

 

[begreen]

Our hummers are here in full force. They empty the two feeders in about 3 days.

 

[Hearth Mistress]

It's 50-ish here tonight but will be 90 again by Wednesday. Nothing here migrating, even the wasps are still a nuisance!

 

[rottiman]

Out on the Goldwing for a ride yesterday and noticed a number of large flocks of several species feeding up in the freshly cut feilds . It is 38f here this morning. We are supposed to get one day of the heat you folks are getting south of the border but cooling down after that. Everything points to being about two weeks ahead of schedule for fall here.

 

[ironpony]

How do you know they started migrating?? I am still seeing them and was wondering.
Did they send you a card or post a little sign by thier nest??
But seriously what are the signs the have moved on?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I've read of hunters finding them in the feathers of downed geese and other large migrators. No proof of it, but cool to think about.

That claim seems to circulate from time to time and it is pure baloney.

As for the hummers, we still have plenty here. Some of the other birds have left though.

 

[rottiman]

How do you know they started migrating?? I am still seeing them and was wondering.
Did they send you a card or post a little sign by thier nest??
But seriously what are the signs the have moved on?

Actually pretty simple. They swarm the feeders day in and day out , everyday. On days when the weather is wetter or cooler they step up the amount they feed. They also spend alot of time feeding on the fusia palnts my wife has near the feeders. We have had seveal days of cooler, wetter weather and now, not one hummer to be seen, zero, notta. That would be a pretty strong case for the fact that they have departed the area. I can well imagine you will still see them in mid-ohio especially with the heat your area is having.. Up here the ritual never changes year to year. This year it is about two weeks early.

 

[JOHN BOY]

Hummers are still fighting over the nectar , they head further south around Mid October here.

 

[begreen]

We've had an increase in activity the past week or so. I suspect they have moved down from the mountain fields or maybe they are coming down from Canada.

 

[Ehouse]

Lots of 'em here this year. Saw one on Bee-Balm that when finished draining a petal-cup would pluck and discard it. Tried to get a pic., but he made a beeline for a passing flock of honkers headed for the golf courses at Hilton Head.