[texbirds] West Texas Hummingbirds

From: Kelly Bryan <kelly.b.bryan@xxxxxxxxx>
To: texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 21:48:05 -0500
There was a dramatic change in diversity and abundance in the Davis
Mountains on Sunday, July 7.  New birds have noticeably arrived each day
since.  Here is a summary.
Magnificent Hummingbird - drought and habitat alteration by fire have
seriously impacted this species.  The population as a whole is at a low
point.  Now, pine bark beetles are eliminating more habitat.

Lucifer Hummingbird - female/juvenile type observed on Tuesday; 2 caught
and banded today with one adult male observed.  Normally, LUHU arrives in
the Davis Mts. in spring; however, this year winter moisture and early
rains provided excellent conditions in the lower desert delaying their
movement into the mountains.  There is still no documented evidence that
this species breeds anywhere in the region outside of the lower 1/3 of
Brewster County.

Black-chinned Hummingbird - normal abundance but low reproductive success
so far this year.  This seems contrary to the environmental conditions at
this point in the summer season.  Wettest June since the summers of 1999
and 2000.

Anna's Hummingbird - today's surprise was an adult female captured, banded
and photographed.  She was a migrant already molting her flight feathers.
 Her gorget feathers were green instead of the usual red.  I have banded
several similar looking birds in the past 5 years.  I believe this provides
the third documented summer record for the State.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird - numbers are up and reproductive success so far
is excellent.  The core of their habitat has been severely altered by
drought and fire.  Higher numbers where feeders are found may be explained
by the previous statement.

Rufous Hummingbird - first birds arrived today with 5 individuals captured
and banded.

Calliope Hummingbird - adult male reported from El Paso today.

Broad-billed Hummingbird - adult male observed and photographed on Sunday,
July 7.  Another adult male (or very likely the same individual) observed
nearby on Tuesday.  Both one day wonders.

-- 
Kelly B Bryan
Fort Davis, Texas

To follow the progress of my hummingbird project go to:
http://westtexashummingbirds.com/
To support this project, other bird projects and our educational outreach
in west Texas go to:  http://www.westtexasavianresearch.org/


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[texbirds] West Texas Hummingbirds

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