Inga and Tweeters,

We have a similar after-sunset feeding rally at our hummingbird feeders where we live near Scatter Creek, east of Tenino. At the moment, we have three nectar feeders out, and all get regular visitors throughout the day, usually one or two hummingbirds at a time. Between sunset and near dark we had about twenty Rufous Hummingbirds yesterday, and about fifteen the day before. I think several things are going on. The birds are frantically tanking up for a night of torpor. Also, the number of birds arriving at this time seems to overwhelm the territorial birds that defend the feeders during the rest of the day (there are two males that display and court females in front of the house). I don't know if there is still a spring movement of birds moving in or perhaps some going further north that helps explain the peak of activity, or if this sunset peak of activity just attracts birds from a wider area than are visiting during the middle of the day. Last year, our first spring and summer here, we had 20-25 birds in the yard in June even during the middle of the day, and went through almost a gallon of nectar a day, but this was after the young had fledged I presume. I will add one or two more feeders in the next few days. So far, every single hummer visitor that I have looked at here has been Rufous.

Other spring notes: Just as the hummers quiet down for the night, the Pacific Chorus Frogs reach an amazing decibel level at the wetland a couple hundred yards away, a volume that is almost painful right at the marsh. Saw an Osprey in the neighborhood yesterday, first noted this spring. A Killdeer nesting on one of our gravel paths laid its fourth egg either last night or early this a.m., with the first egg appearing March 26, the second March 30, and third by the morning of April 1. A singing "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Warbler was in the area on the 30th, and our first singing Savannah Sparrow was out in the field March 29. Turkey Vultures have been back for about a week.

Bob

Bob Sundstrom
ixoreus at scattercreek.com
Tenino, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: Inga Holmquist
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 1:07 PM
Subject: Communal Rufus Hummingbirds


Hello Tweeters!

Has anyone else seen behavior like this:

I have three hummingbird feeders (none within sight of each other) at my home in the hills outside of Orting, WA. I am almost overrun with hummingbirds at the moment. The male RUFUS HUMMINGBIRDS usually try to guard their chosen feeder from all other males (but may allow a female to drink with them.)

HOWEVER, last night, starting in the late dusk and continuing for about 10 - 15 minutes until it was nearly pitch-dark, I had up to 8 hummingbirds feeding at a time at one feeder, including 4 males together at the same time. Often two birds had their beaks in one tiny feeder-hole at the same time! (This is a small feeder!) This feeder is attached to my kitchen window, where the light was on and I could stand three feet away on the other side of the glass and get a perfect look.

This morning, they are back to their unsociable ways. Was it the fact that a cold night was coming on, and stoking up on calories was more important than territorial issues? Was the light what attracted them? (But still, what made them not quarrel?) Any other thoughts?

Thanks!



Inga Holmquist
P.O. Box 1141
Orting, WA 98360
ingawh at yahoo.com




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