hummerbirds

At least two East Quoguers tell me that they have summer hummers that are probably nesting nearby. However most of these birds are feeding on garden flowers (or, possibly, hummingbird feeders). We have neither here but there are gardens and at least one hummingbird feeder on Randall Lane so it is possible that the hummers are taking advantage of these resources (although I have never seen it myself). This morning's hummerbird was a male on the old right-of-way, the first male hummer seen in a while.

Prairie Warbler (seen sporadically this summer), a chattering Baltimore Oriole (handsome male still in breeding plumage), a Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch and House Finch were the morning's best birds; most of the rest were the same ones I've been seeing in the feeding flocks all this week: Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat. White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, etc. As usual, Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice led the parade.

Eric Salzman