White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). This graceful pose by my model, the female White-breasted Nuthatch, was captured a while ago but reflects the many birds that I’m seeing right now at my feeders. I didn’t have the feeders out during the summer and greatly missed seeing all but the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which circled the cabin, round and round. The Hummingbirds, of course, have long ago migrated south but now I’m delighted to have the winter soon to start, with its myriad of birds that will bring great warmth to my heart.
Within the past two weeks the population of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) here at my feeders, has dropped considerably. I had been putting out two quarts of syrup each day. Now I put out one cup each day. Big drop.
They’re packing their bags. Heading south. Migrating for the winter to Central America and Mexico. And it has been discovered that the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s winter location is expanding further north to include the Gulf Coast states up the Atlantic Coast to South Carolina.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds generally live to be between 3 and 5 years old. They learn to recognize the people that feed them, sometimes letting them know if the feeder is empty or needs fresh syrup.
As the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate from north to south and back again they fly alone. They’re solitary birds. Often they’ll return to the same feeders, the same location where they were hatched. I sure will look forward to having them return to their summer home here in the mountains next spring.
Soon to be glowing red in a big swath of my garden. Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma). Native to eastern North America.
Attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Fluttering, buzzing and humming.
Spicebush Swallowtails (Papilio troilus) aren’t the only butterflies that enjoy the nectar and help pollinate the Scarlet Beebalm. Oodles show up.
A carefree plant that fills the space it is provided but doesn’t jump to other gardens. Well behaved. And for gardeners who would rather not spend time weeding. The plants grow into a dense little “forest” of fragrant leaves crowding out any weeds that might be tempted to intrude.
And those Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. So entertaining. These flowers just seem to be designed specifically for the hummingbirds.
Joy in the summer. If I can’t have my winter, and my snow, I’ll be happy to take the brilliant colors and the wonderful critters.
Hallelujah! More of my summer birds have arrived! A few days ago I mentioned that both male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have presented themselves. Now, this morning I spotted my first American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). A male, looking quite handsome in his striking black and orange feathers.
The female of this species is also quite the knockout but in a more subtle way, as is often the case with birds. Gray and yellow and sweet.
Since American Redstarts eat insects, and in late summer, berries and small fruit, they don’t visit my feeders. IF those feeders are out during the summer. So far so good. No bear sightings. So the feeders are still out. Don’t let the bears know.
Though the American Redstarts aren’t interested in what I offer at the bird feeders they really relish having water available. During the summer I have three bird baths out for all the birds and it is quite the popular place. Like the old watering hole.
Tomorrow one hummingbird feeder will go up on my front porch. The time is about right, but I don’t know exactly when to expect my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). I want to greet whoever shows up first, with a welcome mat and a feeder with its favorite syrup. The recipe: 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water, NO food coloring.
The season will start out very slowly. Male and female hummingbirds ready for mating season. Females, totally in charge of nesting. Selecting the site, collecting the materials and building the nest. Oh, I wish I’d discover one of those tiny nests. Over all these years of watching hummingbirds. Looking for the nests. No luck. By mid July into August, with juveniles at the feeders as well, I’ll be putting out many more feeders. They’ll be emptied quickly by the entertaining hungry little critters. Keeping me busy with great demand for many bags of sugar.
Many flowers await the hummingbirds as well, not just the feeders filled with syrup. In the image above Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma) calls to the incredibly little bird. Also planted around my cabin, Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and a native honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) provide nectar for the birds.
The hummingbird above is a male juvenile. See his speckled throat? Those feathers will soon become the ruby color we all know and watch for. An iridescent ruby, showing up as black unless the light is just right. I’m so looking forward to having these travelers back. They bring with them luggage. Luggage filled with pure levity.
