Hi Colleagues,
Yesterday I experienced my first time being skunked by a Rufous/Allen's here in
New England. This bird has been regularly visiting a feeder at a coastal
Massachusetts location for about a week, and I sat for 90 minutes waiting for
it to go into the trap. It made 2 passes near my setup within the first 20
minutes after I sat to wait, and after that was just flying around the yard.
Because this is a coastal New England location there are still lots of
hummingbird-friendly plants in bloom and the bird was visiting them instead of
the feeder. The homeowner reports that it will go to her feeder regularly all
day at 20-30 minute intervals and tolerates her sitting quietly 10-15 feet from
the feeder.
So my question is how long do people typically wait in a situation like this.
With my other Selasphorus in New England, the bird usually is back near the
feeder very soon after I set up, and in the trap within 20-30 minutes. As
noted, I sat fo 90 minutes and I'm wondering how long is a reasonable time.
Because of other commitments and wanting to avoid the worst of the weekday
traffic, I left at about 1245 p.m. and of course I'm told the bird was back at
the feeder after I left.
From the photos I think it's an HY/M RUHU; the host hasn't caught any tail
photos yet. I'm somewhat intrigued by the apparent 'trap-phobia' and wondering
if it had prior trap experience and maybe is already banded. None of the photos
show anything that might suggest a band, and the host doesn't have useful
binoculars or a spotting scope.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, similar tales, what have you.
Thanks very much.
Anthony (in Massachusetts)
Anthony Hill
Certified Trainer, Passerines and Hummingbirds
Co-Chair, Hummingbird Working Group
North American Banding Council (http://www.nabanding.net)
Coordinator, Appledore Island Migration Station (http://appledorebanding.org/)
Member, Board of Directors, Kestrel Land Trust (https://www.kestreltrust.org/)
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