hummers galore

For the second time in the past few days, I've seen two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds buzzing around near the head of the marsh. These might be two young birds from a local nest but it's difficult to be sure. I also saw another hummingbird near the pond, probably a different bird a good distance away. All of these are female-type birds that may be juveniles. The persistence of hummers in these two areas is striking! Wonder what they feed on. There is a neighbor on Randall Lane with a hummingbird feeder but I have never seen a hummingbird use it!

Today's feeding flocks, led as usual by Black-capped Chickadees, included many of the same species seen in recent days: Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Downy Woodpecker with Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals and the two wrens joining in. This collection of birds seems to be quite stable for now. Similarly, the birds on the creek are also relatively stable with both egrets, Great Blue Herons and four terns (Royal, Forster's, Common and Least). A Belted Kingfisher, formerly a regular on the creek but not a common resident any more, made a short appearance.

Eric Salzman