Date: 09/12/2024

Number: 0

The photo is one of our summer resident adult males. We have at least 6, probably more. Two are more "alpha" than the others and work hard to "defend" their territories. Sparky has been with us since he was born, in 2020, and the same with Sprite, but just a year later, in 2021. I'm big into animal/ bird behavior and I spend a lot of time observing so that I'm able to differentiate between individual birds based upon habits and behaviors, such as perching preferences and such. I get to know them when they are youngsters, just out of the nest, we name them, and go from there. Our other adult males include Maverick, Piper, Percy, and Fuchsia.

As expected, our adult males head south in early to mid September, between the 6th-14th each year. And although you may not believe it, they always let me know that they will be leaving soon and they always say "goodbye" in their own little ways. Sparky spent extra time hanging out with me on Thursday morning, September 5th, and left on the 6th. Sprite did the same on Monday, the 9th, and left the next morning, on the 10th. I have not seen an adult male since the 10th.

Most of our sweet adult females also leave about the same time, or just shortly thereafter, and many of the juveniles from the first clutches also do so. The adult females and juveniles also find me to say "goodbye".

It's a bittersweet time of year for me, as I love Fall, but I also miss my little jewels dearly when they leave. I stress over them, especially when storms/ hurricanes are in the forecast. I pray that God takes care of His little ones and I know He does and I thank Him for sharing them with me and my little family. They are such a tremendous blessing and I can't wait for their return next Spring.

It has been incredibly dry. We need rain desperately, and thank goodness, it appears we will get some next week from this hurricane. While some of our flowers are fading, we still have plenty for the hummingbirds and other pollinators.

I would say we still have 12-18 hummingbirds. At the peak a few weeks ago, my estimate would be 24-30. This is also a sweet time, as most of the juveniles from the 2nd clutches remain with us and have their turn at the flowers and feeders, with much, much less competition. I get to know these youngsters very well and they grow to be very comfortable with me and will even follow me around and look for me. I'll name each one and, God willing, they will return next year and become parents as well.

Our last juvenile usually doesn't leave until mid October. And we will see a decent number of travelers come through at this point. Some will stay for just a quick fuel up and others will hang around for a few days and refresh and rejuvenate. I also encourage all who feed hummingbirds to please continue to keep your feeders up and clean at least through the middle of October. We have 11 out currently and will maintain those until most of our juveniles have left. We'll then go down to 6 until November 1st and then maintain 2 throughout the winter, as we had a juvenile Rufous show up one year. Raphy stayed with us from October through March of the following year. What a treasure he was!

I greatly enjoy all of your reports. I was not as good as in years past with my reports, but plan to do better moving forward. God bless and God speed to all of our dear hummingbirds and other sweet birdies migrating and preparing for winter.

This is a bittersweet time, as

Kernersville, NC

Latitude: 36.1 Longitude: -80.1

Observed by: Sophie
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