Subject: Spring hummingbird yard census
Date: Mar 23 15:05:50 2001
From: Ruth Sullivan - godwit at worldnet.att.net


Hello Tweets,

Today in our yard, we had a small isolated invasion of both ANNA'S and
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, with the probable breeding of 1 pair of Anna's
Hummingbird, due to courtship observed on the 12th, and 22nd of February,
and on the 20th of March, along with 4 immatures noted at our feeders, with
occasional aggressive behavior noted in at least one male Rufous
Hummingbird, being probably on territory, as it would not allow the other
"hummers" to feed during mid-morning. A census count for today consisted of
the following, and accounts for our personal highest count of hummingbirds
for one day:

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD

1 adult male
2 adult females
3 immature males
2 immatue females

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD

2 adult males
3 adult females
3 immature males
3 immature females

Total number of birds: 19

Along with 3 feeders in our yard, we also have 5 WILD CURRANT bushes, and
several other vegetation, that the hummingbirds forage on, along with an
abundance of insects too, that also forage on the recent blossoms.

Other species that were observed at our residence today included:

2 Violet-green Swallows(annual nesting pair, that are returning to our yard)
1 Varied Thrush
1 male Townsend's Warbler
7 Dark-eyed "Oregon" Juncos
1 pair of Purple Finches

Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net