Date: 02/20/2021

Number: 1

Last photo of overwintering Rufous have not seen him since 2/15/21.

Male Rufous was able to nectar only 1 day on all pulled in house potted salvias pre snow, ice storm. Potted salvias have been in house 5 days now. Today will be first day to return salvias back out. All 8 foot Hamelia trees froze to ground. Anything covered even froze.
Being a male Rufous they usually leave in middle of February. There was no food source other than frozen feeders I constantly had to reheat. Lost power for 3 days off and on. Added shop lights didn't keep feeders unfrozen.
This has been the worst winter hardship on both Rufous and hospitality provided. Lowest got to 15 degrees.
Today we still have unmelted snow in shady spots on north side as it got 30 last night. If Rufous doubles back will report.

Male rubythroats coming in March will see shock of no natural native plant sources
Coming thru,in Texas.

I do think Rufous migrated out of Texas storm into Arizona as seen in a report of influx of hummingbirds.

Beverly L.
Houston
Happy to get a hummingbird break.

Houston, TX

Latitude: 29.8 Longitude: -95.4

Observed by: Beverly
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