Another New arrival

The weather has cooled a bit and just as last Sunday - we are awaiting a storm. Last Monday we got .12" from what I expected to be the last of our rainy season.

The hummingbirds are getting a little treat from some of the native plants beginning to bloom. Penstemons and Monkeyflowers are really producing blooms and the hummers are checking them out. 

I spotted the first Costa's hummingbird this morning as I filled up some of the feeders. They look a little like Anna's except that their iridescent head feathers are a vibrant purple. That puts the type count to 4 - Anna's (year round), Rufus, Blackchin, and Costa's. There is a chance we may get a few Calliope hummers.

The Orioles are doing well and a few days ago I saw the first immature male - probably one of this years offspring. The immature females look just like the mature females so they would be hard to detect.

A New Arrival

Today was another sunny clear day in Escondido (storm on the way?) and the hummingbirds and orioles are putting on quite the show. This morning I saw the first blackchinned hummer while filling one of the feeders -  which puts my count to 3 types - Anna's, Rufus, and Blackchin.

While we were coming back from brunch in Oceanside with family, including favorite Uncle,  there was quite an earthquake in northern Mexico that was felt in San Diego county (unless you happened to be driving). Did not seem to bother the birds any and no damage or effects here.

April is Almost Here

A couple more female orioles have arrived, I have seen 3 at once now and there are four or five males. The males are getting quite animated now chasing each other around, chattering up a storm. It is fun to watch one or two land on the top of the fence - chatter and then raise their bill to the sky and hold that pose for a few seconds. Quite the display.

I have not seen a Rufus hummingbird for a while now, there are lots of Anna's. There are a couple of old timers, at least judging by the bills and energy level. I've seen a couple with only one good eye, no telling if that is from the high speed runs they make or dueling with each other.

Orioles Are Begining to Show Up

The visiting birds birds are beginning to show up in increasing numbers. I have seen 3 male orioles and 1 female so far. They should be coming in from Mexico and Arizona. 

Just this afternoon I have seen the first Rufus hummingbird, more can't be too far off. I expect a good crowd this spring and the hummers that are used to not sharing will need to probably have a rude awakening.

On a separate note: many kudos to Carlos and Donna in San Marcos for their online post TheOwlBox. Molly and McGee are great and one of the eggs has hatched - it's Max!
http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

Feeding Video

This will be a practice entry to play with embedding video. 

It looks like it is pretty straight forward.

Here is another, the feeders hold 1/3 of a gallon. The hummers will drain 3 of these a day now. And the migrating birds are not here yet!

First Hooded Oriole This Year

It's been awhile since the last post but over winter the action is a bit slow. Spring is here (OK, in another week, but it's going to be 84 degrees in a couple days) an a sure sign is a return of the Hooded Orioles. the first backyard sighting was yesterday (Saturday).

Quite the handsome male.

While doing some volunteer gardening at the San Diego Wild Animal Park yesterday (about four miles as the oriole flies!) I thought I heard the distinctive chatter of an oriole but thought it was a little early still. Sure enough, later as I was cleaning and filling the hummingbird feeders, I spotted this guy. Now it's watching for more of the returning group.

I have yet to spot any new visiting hummingbirds, but am looking forward to seeing some Rufus, Blackchin soon. The local Anna's population is increasing as judged by the increase in feeder draining. It is close to 1.5 gallons a day now.

The sun is out again

January 25

Last week was a soggy week for the hummers. Most of San Diego county got around 5" of rain from Monday through Friday. Seems like all the birds made it just fine. It has been a little frosty the last couple of mornings but the hummers are out first thing for breakfast! They are down to about 1/2 gallon per day of mix.