[TN-Bird] Re: Hummingbird back up?

 
In a message dated 9/24/2004 6:35:29 PM Central Daylight Time,  
Dthomp2669@xxxxxxx writes:
Hello  Birders,
Here in the Charlotte Park area of West Nashville, Davidson  County, just a 
few blocks east of the Cleece's Ferry Boat Ramp on the  Cumberland River, 
I've 
been having lots of hummingbirds since yesterday  (Thursday) at around 12:06 
PM.  
I had the same phenomena the weekend  of September 11-12, 2004.  At that 
time, 
I was called by  acquaintances who live east of Donelson, but not quite to 
Percy Priest,  across town from me who were experiencing the same thing that  
weekend.  They feed hummers, but are not enthusiastic birders.   They 
wondered what 
was going on and asked me because they knew I was  REALLY interested in birds.

At that time, I just kind of thought it was  a final big migratory push, but 
I 
am beginning to wonder if the massive  number of hummers that I've had on 
those two occasions are due to the  birds "backing up" in our area instead of 
steadily streaming on down into  "Hurricane Highway" on the Gulf.  Any ideas 
from 
some of you birders  who are better versed on hummingbird behavior than I am 
would be  welcome.  These little darlings continue to baffle me.  I just love 
 them.

Along with the feeding at the hummingbird feeders, one bird  appeared to be 
checking out the aphids on a grape leaf earlier.  I'm  not sure if it 
partook, 
but it did linger for a while.  Another was  really cute in that it seemed to 
be 
playing "hide & seek" with a wasp  that had gotten itself inside an empty 
clear 
plastic thistle feeder.   The hummer and the wasp seemed to be doing a little 
"flight dance" around  and around the feeder with the hummer flying around 
outside and the wasp  flying as its "dancing partner" inside.  It might have 
gotten 
"nasty"  if there hadn't been a  plastic wall separating them as both  
creatures seemed a little agitated.

It's only been immatures and  females this week, but I did have a couple of 
brilliant males the weekend  of the 11th.


Dee and Fellow TnBirders
Opinion only......
 
It is unlikely that the hummers are backing up.  Again in my  opinion, what 
you are seeing is widespread this time of year, with yet another  major wave of 
southbound migrants.  I don't know of any evidence that  supports the notion 
that these tiny birds can anticipate the nasty weather that  has occurred in 
the coast regions.  I personally doubt that they are good  weather forecasters 
either southbound or when incoming from the tropics in late  winter/early 
spring.  I do believe that they can detect low air pressure  and do not fly as 
much during such episodes.
 
Close looks at these hummingbirds in the hand (when banding) reveals  that 
most are VERY young birds that exhibit measurements and plumage features  that 
tell us they are recently hatched birds.  Such things as deeply  incised 
maxilla's (upper half of bill), with the "grooving" extending the  full length 
of 
the bill.  The white parts of the tail feathers are pristine  white and show 
almost no wear.  The bill of these new birds usually  measures much shorter 
than 
their older counterparts.  Some  will exhibit a nestling behavior that 
involves begging with their heads  "thrown back" and the mouths wide open as if 
calling to be fed.   They are a joy to behold and to band.  
 
Make no mistake, these hurricanes take their toll on transgulf  migrants.  It 
seems likely that many millions of birds are killed in  such events as Ivan 
The Terrible.  That is the bad news.   The good news is that most species will 
recover from such  losses.  In her great wisdom, Mother Nature (God if you  
wish) has them migrating over a broad time frame to keep the gene pool  intact.
 
Please pardon the rambling of a confirmed hummer and migrant bird  freak.  
Bless all.  Good birding guys.
 
Bob Sargent
Trussville, Alabama  


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