FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Ruby-throated Hummingbird

[eyesew@xxxxxxxxx (Virginia Curtis)]

We decided to call this mature male beauty "Alphie" since he is the
"alpha" or "first" of the season.  Seeing him alone at the feeder all
day yesterday and in his first appearance at 6:25 a.m. this morning
against the background of a pink and blue sunrise, we wish we could call
him "Omie" for "omega" or "last".  We have concluded we like having a
single hummer that sits calmly and drinks at leisure.

But we realize he'll soon be lost in the hordes.  According to one
expert, if you count the number of hummers at the feeders at any moment
and multiply that by 5 you get a good estimate of how many you are
feeding.  Last year several times we counted as many as 60 at our
feeders at one time and thus conclude we were feeding around 300.  We
had a preview of what is coming yesterday around 5:30 p.m. when Virginia
was watching Alphie feed and another hummer zoomed in.  Since there were
2 hummers and 2 feeders, you'd expect harmony - right!  Wrong!  Hummers,
like humans, flunked sharing.  Alphie won that battle and the intruder
moved on but his solitary quietness will end soon so we are enjoying
just watching him sit and drink calmly.  Anyone know how to tell all
other Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to stay away because this is an "Alphie
Zone"?  

Tommy & Virginia Curtis
Smithville, TN
DeKalb County

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