Subject: Re: Rufous Hummingbird Arrivals
Date: Feb 2 14:19:30 1998
From: BrewsPad at aol.com - BrewsPad at aol.com


Joan Macdonald wrote:

<< I usually notice the hummmingbirds pretty quickly, if they are in the
area, as my feeder is right outside my kitchen window.

Which brings me to a question. Before I learned to put the feeder out before
I expected the birds, I'd first see them right at my window, looking in at me
which I interpreted as "well, where's the feeder?". Are those repeat
customers from last year or did they pick my yard because they see other type
feeders or because I have salmonberries? >> <snip>

I have the same question as Joan. Two years ago I had a hummingbird feeder
out until late fall when it got no more activity. I then took it in, and was
going to put it out again in the Summer, but one day in the Spring (don't
know what month) saw a hummingbird investigating the exact spot where the
feeder had been the previous year (and was now no longer there). I hang it
from a hook on the eve of my roof outside my patio window, a rather long way
from any vegitation. I then got it out and hung it back up and got feeding
activity again. This year I'm ready for them. But, same question: Are they
repeat customers? My hunch is that they are.

Jim Brewster
Kent Washington