Perhaps it was the cooler temperatures, or that we had over an inch of rain yesterday, whatever the cause....this morning, breakfast on our deck was quite lively. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo called (just once) and then flew across the yard. Earlier in the season it would call call multiple times every morning...now it is much more infrequent and always a single call. Next we spotted a Calliope Hummingbird at the edge of the yard...every time it tried to come into the feeders, the male Rufous Hummingbird would swoop in and chase it off. Also seen were Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds which would occasionally make it through the Rufous blockade. Yellow Warblers were seen feeding fledglings...a pair of Cedar Waxwings foraged in the aspens, while Black-headed Grosbeaks, Lesser and American Goldfinches and Grey Catbirds flitted about.
The most exciting was later...when I saw a very dark hummingbird at our kitchen window...just as I thought "Black-chinned" I noticed just how dark it was...next was the pronounced white spot behind the eye, the deeply notched tail and finally it flashed...orange...Ruby-throated Hummingbird was back! Then, of course, came then inevitable question...did it come back...or was it in the area all this time? As we are seeing Rufous and Calliopes on their return...could this be a Ruby-throat on return migration...or could it have been in the area all along? Which is the most likely? At any rate this marks 5 species of hummingbirds for the year and 5 in one morning! What a great way to enjoy our morning coffee! Polly Wren and Polly Neldner La Veta Huerfano County Sent from my iPad -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
