Fall's Journey South Update: September 24, 1999 Today's Report Includes: Hummers by the Hundreds in Texas! Humming Along: Challenge Question #2 Thirsty? Response to CQ #1 Get Ready to Track the Hummingbird Migration Next Spring! Hummers by the Hundreds in Texas! Photos Courtesy of the Aschens Texas teacher Harlen Aschen and his wife Altus wrote to tell us about an amazing sight in their own backyard: "Last week we counted over 60 Ruby-throats in our Port Lavaca yard, with as many as 16 at a single feeder. The backyard has been full of hummers for three days. They arrive on the coast of Texas about the 7th of September each fall, 'tank up,' and hope for a tail wind to help them across the Gulf." While the tiny hummingbirds are feeding and waiting, the Aschens are busy photographing and enjoying. Here's the rest of the amazing story from the Aschens: Dear Journey North The hummers migrate to the central Texas coast and "stage" in preparation for their flight across the Gulf of Mexico. They will stay and build up an energy supply for a few days and make the big leap towards the south. When they arrive in massive numbers like this in September we call it "stacking up" ...the opposite of the spring "fall out". They wait for the right conditions to make that important leap from the shoreline. Over 90% were gone last evening after a day of light north winds ... this gave them the tailwind they needed. Photos Courtesy of the Aschens The wind started from the north early Monday morning and blew about 10 mph from the north all day and thru the night, except for a severe electrical storm about eleven last night. (Sadly, no rain. We are in an extreme drought after 47 days of over 95 degrees and not a drop of rain since early July). The hummingbirds (mostly Ruby-throats and sometimes a Black chin or Rufous) "stack up" from central Texas to the coast and stay just a few days (3 to 4). They gorge on nectar and small flying insects that they catch in mid-air. They were nectaring on every plant that had a bloom open in the backyard from mini-salvia to giant hibiscus/mallows. We even noticed some with what we guess was yellow pollen on the end of their bills after visiting the hibiscus. There may be another "stack up" or two ... or just a gradual buildup and daily "jump off" if they so feel inclined. Harlen Aschen The Aschen's website Humming Along Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been migrating from Canada and the northern states since August. The adult males left first, and as adult females recovered from the stresses of producing eggs and raising babies, they departed. Most immatures have left the northernmost parts of their range, but a handful are still passing through the lower provinces and northern states. Hurricane Floyd Ruby-throats migrate by day, eating as they go, stopping to investigate whenever something red attracts their eye along the way. As they go through strange new places, young hummers don't always know what to expect. When one Journey South reporter watches hawk migration at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, Minnesota, migrating hummingbirds often buzz right over her red hat! As you think about the hummingbirds migrating, see if you can answer Challenge Question #2: "Did Hurricane Floyd affect migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds? Why or why not?" (To Respond to this Challenge Question, please follow the instructions at the end of this report.) Thirsty? Response to Challenge Question #1 Last time we asked a sweet question about why do you think the orioles would want to drink more juice on a cool day than on a hot day? And we received a question in return: "Could it be that on a cooler day, orioles drink more juice because they need more quick energy to maintain their body temps??" Barb (bntheldt@upstel.net) Orioles may like to drink more sweets on colder days partly because the reduced temps make them hungrier and make insects less active. Perhaps more importantly, though, by early August orioles are beginning to migrate. Those high pressure, cool nights give them exactly the conditions they need to move. So those extra calories (carbohydrates are especially good for energy) are for stoking their fuel reserves for their flight. Also, we might have actually been seeing more individuals at the feeders simply because more individuals are there, including the migrants. Get Ready to Track the Hummingbird Migration! Next spring report the FIRST hummingbird you see humming by! Remember, you can join Journey North classrooms across North America as they announce when the hummingbirds first return from the tropics. Put out a feeder and then wait for them arrive. Maybe you'll see hundreds of hummers too! How to Respond to Today's Challenge Question: IMPORTANT: Please answer ONLY ONE question in each e-mail message! 1. Address an E-mail message to: jn-challenge-fall@learner.org 2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #2 3. In the body of the message, answer the Challenge Question. The Next Journey South Update Will Be Posted on October 8, 1999 Copyright 1999 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form