Many months ago, maybe a couple of years even, there was a thread on
'tweeters' during the anticipatory phase of early spring arrivals of Rufous
Hummingbirds and how individuals seem to 'remember' a feeder location from a
previous year or years. And if that feeder has not been activated upon their
arrival, an individual is somewhat perceived to hang around and sort of prod
the human host to get on the stick.

Well, let me tell you about the ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS over here in Eastgate
right now. Last winter, I hosted my first ever Anna's Hummingbird. I kept a
pair of them around all winter and into spring until I went off to California
for work. Briefly back briefly in June and again in July, the birds were
still around, immediately took to the refilled feeders, and successfully
nested nearby on lower outer branch of a hemlock. Later in July I left
again, and the feeders went dry and remained so until my return a couple of
weeks ago. The VERY FIRST bird I saw in the yard upon my return and first
visit to the yard in months was a female Anna's Hummingbird perched atop the
same small tree on the same branch where I last saw her in July. And so,
there she was, patiently waiting, waiting, waiting. Maybe in fact, *not so
patiently*. I had no sooner stepped out the door when she flew down to
inspect the first empty feeder, then the second. Next she flew up to my face
and seemed to glare at me in no uncertain terms. Then off to the third empty
feeder at the corner of the house. There, she paused and hovered for what
must have been 15-20 seconds(!), looking at the feeder, then me, then the
feeder, then me, ...back and forth several times, then took off in dare I
say, a rage. "Okay, okay, okay, I get the message! Sorry. Patience dear!"
....as I rush back into the kitchen to brew up the requisite sugar water
solution.

Literally within minutes of thoroughly cleaning, refilling, and reinstalling
the feeders, the female Anna's Hummingbird was back, immediately took to the
feeders, and at last appeared happy and content. Gradually over the next
three days, word must have gotten out to all her friends and so as of now,
there are at the very least FOUR Anna's Hummingbirds regular here off and on
throughout the day including two gorgeous adult males, one female, and one
maybe immature male or female. On these cold foggy mornings of late, even as
it's still dark, the Anna's Hummingbirds are the first birds to arrive and
hit the feeders, and also the last to leave in the fading light of evening.

I'm actually rather impressed by how well they all seem to get along. I am
more accustomed to seeing hummingbirds being more aggressive and protective
of 'their territory', however, or at least for now, they get on well and even
share. Even the two adult males are tolerant of each other, either by
allowing each to work an individual feeder or even patiently 'wait in line'
hovering nearby until the other is finished. Even on that favored perch in
the top of that tree in the neighbors yard, like tiny Christmas ornaments,
two or three are often seen there together. This seems odd too, because as
viciously territorial over flowers and feeders as hummingbirds can be at
times, I have never seen any ever willing to share a the same tree top perch.

Well, I'm impressed! I can't say for sure whether any of these are the same
individuals as last summer and winter, but if so as I suspect, then maybe
individuals do indeed have a crystal sharp memory, and temper to boot even,
if they don't get their way from their human host.

****************************************************
Richard Rowlett (Pterodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
Bellevue (Eastgate), WA, USA

"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what
nobody has thought" --Albert Szent-Gyorgi (1893-1986).
****************************************************