B, enjoy your encounter. I wouldn't worry much about your being a
disturbance, he was probably looking for a drink. Hummers are working on
their clutches. Were you wearing anything red?

Paul
pjm at sos.net

B Kildow wrote:
>
> Could someone tell me if Rufous Hummingbirds would be nesting now or if
> they're always territorial? We have one visiting our hummingbird feeder
> and he's always patrolling his territory on that side of the house. A
> few minutes ago, I was watering some plants far on the other side of the
> house. Kneeling next to one pot with a hose, I heard what sounded like
> the world's biggest yellow jacket coming for me. I kind of sucked down
> and it passed. I looked up and there was "our" hummingbird, hovering up
> above me and to my left. Then he made pass number two. This time, he
> was close enough that I could feel the breeze from his wings. He
> hovered again, apparently with the greatest satisfaction at the response
> he'd engendered and then took off. If they're nesting now, I'd like to
> move the pots if possible so that I don't cause any stress. If he's
> being normally territorial, I guess he'll eventually figure out that I
> mean him no harm. Help!!?!
>
> Bryn Kildow
> Olympia, WA
> tracker99 at foxinternet.net