Hello Tweeters,
First i let you know that on Sunday the 18th we had our first male Rufous
Hummingbird on the feeder.But on Monday we already had a Rufous
female,getting already chased by the male Rufous.Most of all my records (i
been keeping record since 1989)this is when we had our first sighting of a
Hummingbird here in Fircrest.Usual the female arrieves three to seven days
laterthan the male.Well yesterday we had two female Roufous sitting together
in one tree.But today we had onother male Rufous Hummingbird showing
up.Yesterday it was chasing chasing fo ever around the yard.Since i also
have three Anna's Hummingbirds.Two males and one female,there been here
since the beginning of November 1999,and been staying here all year long.
This neew male Rufous who this came today is so bright you can easy can pull
them apart.Also this new male chasing every bird around sitting between two
feeders and perches high ,so he can keep an eye over a large area.My bright
Annas had no chance comming at all to the feeders and kept on the many Wild
Currant bushes feeding.Since this agressive male is so brilliant looking,i
try to taken photos of this bird.As i stepped out on to my patio,this little
bird start attacking me flying fast around me making all kind of sounds.Than
he retired to his old perch,but only few minutes later commig flying direct
into me.Since i was watching this bird i could duck down avoiding to
getting hit.I wonder if it is my red hair what attrackt this bird?I been
hearing stories from other birders,there been attact by Hummingbirds wearing
some red clothing.We never had this many Hummingbirds in our yard before.The
date of the arrival this year is the same as last years the 18th of March
what vary some year.The earliet was the 28th of February 1992.
We also been having a pair of Purple Finches comming to our feeder,what
beeing absent for the last two years.Since there been so many places where
there had dead Pinskin found in there yard,i must tell that we never had any
Pinsiskin or Housfinches with any desease what been mention on tweeters or
dead birds in our yard.

Ruth Sullivan
Tacoma,
godwit at worldnet.att.net