Hello Kathy,
December of 1996 my wife MerryLynn discovered a Little Hermit Hummingbird
Lek on Alexander Skutches Farm in Central Costa Rica. She heard a high noted
chip that sounded like an insect/ cricket call. Getting down on her knees
she searched an area under some thick cover and there perched about two
inches off the ground atop leaf litter & twigs were five Little Hermit
Hummingbirds displaying and producing this high pitched call. This lek was
clear of vegetation due to its location under dense canopy. These small
hummers melted into the surroundings due to their brown color. We watched
them for about 20 min.. It was incredibly fascinating and something we had
only read of and never seen. Returning to the Skutch home and visiting with
Alexander and Pamela Skutch we discovered that Dr. Skutch had never
personally witnessed a hummingbird lek in all of his years in Costa Rica. He
told us that he was always amazed at what is found in the neo-tropics if
folks are listening and observing. He laughed that he was within 120 meters
of this lek and yet did not know it was there. Off he went to enjoy this
wonderful site.
Later Mike

********************************************************************
Mike & MerryLynn Denny
323 Scenic View Drive
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED!
*******************************************************************