Subject: [Tweeters] Costa's Hummingbird - Portland
Date: Jan 3 11:30:39 2005
From: Jay Withgott - withgott at comcast.net



Yesterday on the Portland CBC, Jacob and Peter Spendelow reported an
adult male COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD from the Hillsdale neighborhood of
southwest Portland. This morning John Fitchen, Iain Tomlinson, Bob
Stites, and I observed this little beauty. The long purple gorget,
small body size, whitish belly, and tail shorter than wingtips were
all readily apparent -- clearly a male Costa's Hummingbird.

The bird first arrived at the hummingbird feeder of James Roehm and
Joy Pendergrass at 2335 SW Seymour Dr. on 24 December. It spent 4
days there, then was absent for 4 days, then was seen again
yesterday, Joy told me. This morning we observed it at a hummingbird
feeder just a few houses down the road at the end of Seymour Dr. at
the home of David Barberis. There are also two other hummer feeders
at a house across the way from the Barberis house. Jim, Joy, and
David are all very friendly to birders and are thrilled about their
special bird. Birders are welcome to stand in Jim & Joy's driveway
while watching their feeder, and David's feeder is easily visible
from the road. Needless to say, be discreet & respect privacy as
always in this residential neighborhood.

There are several Anna's of various sexes and ages in the
neighborhood. On 3 occasions b/w 9:30 & 9:45 I saw one adult male
Anna's chase what appeared to be the Costa's away from the Barberis
feeder (each time toward the Roehm/Pendergrass house). Then shortly
after 10:00 we watched as the Costa's twice fed unharassed at the
Barberis feeder, then perched in the shrubs down near the garage.

Jacob and Peter also said one of the Fox Sparrows at Jim & Joy's
feeder appeared to be of the eastern U.S. subspecies. We did not see
this individual this morning.

To get here, go to the center of Hillsdale in SW Portland and take
Sunset Blvd. northwest from Capitol Hwy. Turn right on SW 18th Dr.,
then fork left on SW 19th Dr. Turn right on Seymour Drive, and the
addresses, houses, and feeders will be obvious.

Thanks to Jacob, Peter, Joy, Jim, and David, and good luck, everyone,
with this fun bird!

Jay

Jay Withgott
Portland, OR
withgott at comcast.net