[TN-Bird] Hummingbird thrill

From: Dthomp2669@xxxxxxx
To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:47:09 EDT
Hello Birders,
 
At 4:05 PM today, I saw my first hummingbird of 2006 at my feeder here in  
Charlotte Park, West Nashville, Davidson County.  Since I very rarely have  any 
on their northward migration or during nesting season, I am wondering if  they 
are beginning their southward trek for this year.  This one was a fine  
female ruby throated that was eagerly going for the sugar water.  Perhaps  the 
reason I don't get them earlier is that my only decent spot for a feeder is  
hanging from the eave outside my kitchen window facing  NORTH.  Maybe they 
don't 
see it on their way north, and none nest in  my yard.  This year, the squirrels 
dug up all my flowers before they even  got started, so there has been nothing 
to attract hummingbirds although I keep  my feeder clean and filled the 
entire year.
 
During the 100 degree heat on my deck the latter part of the week, my birds  
hid in the lush grape vines surrounding my deck and did not come out for food 
a  lot.  I was especially worried about my little chickadee with the exposed  
skull that perched on the vine outside the French doors and "panted" for a 
full  five minutes before partaking of the peanut butter which was only a few 
inches  away.  It DID make it through, and is outside the door feeding right 
now 
as  I write.  I have a special love for that little bird as it was on the  
sunflower seed feeder outside the kitchen window when it was still all bloody  
from its injuries from what I suspect was a hawk, owl or cat attack.  It  was 
feeding babies earlier this year, so it was apparently able to produce  young.  
It sure likes that peanut butter, and gets "scrappy" with the other  birds, 
such as the "bossy mocks,"  when it wants its share.
 
The family of towhees have been feeding down below the deck for  several 
weeks now, and they have finally started coming up to the spread of bird  seed 
on 
the deck floor.  They stay mostly in the grape vines, but skitter  out for a 
few moments at a time and eat quickly, then rush back to the safety of  the 
thick vine.  It's a thrill to her them singing from morning 'til night  either 
from a neighbor's well-shrubbed yard out behind me or from here in my own  yard.
 
My blue jay has graduated mostly up to a deck chair to "sun" where it  
spreads its wings and tail anhinga-like for a few minutes, then away it  goes.  
It 
can't be "anting" as several folks suggested.  There are no  ants on the chair 
or on that part of the deck.  It's either sunning or  spreading its feathers 
for an "air bath" to cool off.
 
The pure white rock pigeon came around for three days to feed, but I  haven't 
seen it today.
 
Almost forgot!  Yesterday morning, as I was driving down Thunderbird  Drive 
between River Rouge and Achievement Drives, an immature Cooper's hawk flew  
into a tree, while up above an adult Coopers was "flying with the rock pigeons" 
 
perhaps hoping for a conquest.  I hadn't seen a Cooper's in quite a while  
since one of last year's immatures made my deck a regular stop to scope out my  
bird feeder which gave me the opportunity for some really nice photos very up  
close and personal.  It's good to know that the neighborhood Cooper's hawks  
were apparently successful once again this year.  Maybe they will drop by  here 
later on for a little "lunch."
 
Having the birds here provides such great company and are such great fun to  
observe.
 
Have a great birding fun-day Sunday.
 
Dee Thompson
Nashville, TN

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[TN-Bird] Hummingbird thrill

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