Signs of a Good Growing Season
Jacques Turgeon is a hummingbird bander in Quebec. This summer's record-breaking heat resulted in a good growing season for hummers, he says. Already he has banded 110 juveniles this year, compared to only 28 in 2009 (after a cold, wet summer) and 77 in 2008. This picture shows another sign of a good season:

"Probably because of the warm temperatures we had, the plumage of the young males is maturing faster than in other years. The majority already have one or several red feathers. This male was really early—by a few months. He already had a beautiful red necklace." Photo Aug. 27, 2010: Projet colibris.