Date: 05/19/2013

Number: 1

I keep a log book to document my wildlife sightings throughout each year, including my hummingbird sightings. Last year I had my first confirmed hummingbird sighting, an adult male Ruby Throat, on April 23rd. This year our spring has been a series of fits and starts that included a late ice storm, a couple late snow storms, and generally cooler-than-normal temps. Interspersed with the winter-like spring weather, we also had several days with high temps nearing 90°. Spring here has been decidedly "crazy" this year. Despite the fluctuating winter/spring weather, I hung out my nectar feeders on March 30. Secretly,I was hoping the hummingbirds would wait a bit longer before venturing into north-central Kansas. The trees were still bare and there were no flowers yet. As the weeks passed, spring struggled to get the upper hand, and I waited. I kept my nectar feeders refreshed and bided my time working in my garden. I suspected the hummers were around, but if I don't actually lay eyes on one, I conclude they are not here yet. I have noticed that if I see the more obvious Orioles checking out my nectar feeders, the hummers are not far behind. I WAS seeing Orioles. On Sunday evening, May 19th I laid eyes on my first hummingbird of the 2013 season. I had just taken down my nectar feeders for cleaning and refilling, when I decided to trim some low-hanging branches from my large Red Maple. The branches were overhanging one of my tall shepard's hooks, obscuring my view of the nectar feeder that hung from it. At 7:05 p.m. I fetched my branch-loppers from the barn, and as I turned toward the Red Maple, I saw a female Ruby Throat examining the "empty" shepard's hook, and probably wondering why her nectar feeder was missing

Salina, KS

Latitude: 38.9 Longitude: -97.7

Observed by: Diane
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