Hummingbird Migration

Ever wonder what goes into hummingbird research?  Well, it's quite the lengthy process and one that I had wanted to see for myself for a couple years now.  So with some friends, we headed out to one of the survey stations on the Ft. Lowell military base on Sunday morning to check out the studies going on during hummingbird migration.

During the months of August and September, Southern Arizona becomes a hot spot for migrating hummingbirds.  Places like Audubon, Cornell University, etc. want to know more about which types of hummers are coming through a particular area.  Several feeder stations are set up with a loose net on top.  When everyone is ready to take readings, the net is dropped and the hummingbird count begins.

Very carefully, several volunteers gently retrieve the birds from the feeder nets and bring them over to a carousel where several more people are waiting to record data.

They are placed into open netted bags and then put on the carousel.  Once that carousel is full, the volunteers stop collecting the hummingbirds from the feeders and open the net up again allowing the charm of hummingbirds to feed again.  Another volunteer constantly monitors the sugar water and changes the feeders out at a regular basis.

But back to the birds on the carousel.  They are taken one at a time where they are weighed, measured, ID'd, etc.  It's a very delicate process.  Another person records the data as the lead scientist relays the data while she measures.  As you can imagine, they cannot be bothered by outsiders while this pertinent information is collected.  Hummingbirds were also monitored for disease.  At one point, it was determined that one was sick.  The loose bag that carried the bird had to be destroyed to keep the disease from spreading to other hummers.  The bird was released back into the wild.

I found it really interesting to observe the entire process.  There wasn't a shortage of hummingbirds on this rainy day.  From my counts alone with Ebird, I documented mainly Rufous and Anna's Hummingbirds.  Black-chinned, Broad-tail, Broad-bill, 2 Magnificent's and a Violet-crowned Hummingbird were also present at the feeders on this day.  80 were documented around the feeders during the first part of the AM hours.

Once the readings have been taken, the hummingbirds are released back into the wild.  Visitors, at this point, are able to offer their open hands for launch.  Sometimes they will zip right out of your hands.  Other times, they will just gently sit for a few moments before taking off.

Youth are encouraged to participate. Children(and adults) need to keep their voices down while approaching the stations as the citizen scientists are taking the readings.  This is a great way to get kids to interact with nature and learn a thing or two about hummingbirds.  Perhaps a future birder will be born?

These hummers have a long trip ahead of them.  They're still at the midway point of their journey as they head back to Central America for the winter.  Feeders provide them the much needed food for their journey.  And studies like these help scientists around the world understand such things like population numbers and migration patterns.  Wishing all these little beauties and safe trip home.  More to come.....

The Chuparosa Challenge-When You Wish Upon a Star

 It had been a long summer of chasing a dream.  One that would drive me mad until the goal was achieved.  The shots today are not anything special....or are they?  At first glance, the male Rufous hummingbird shines bright and true.  "You'll know it when you see it."

"You'll know it when you see it."  I kept repeating that line over and over.  I certainly saw the Rufous and his golden glow in the sunlight. But hello there.....who are you to the far left?

"You'll know it when you see it."  I went to every canyon for you and suffered bites all over my body....and not find you.  I look for you in the middle of nowhere and almost got killed by illegal crossers.  I even gave up on you. 

"You'll know it when you see it."  A man doing a "Big Year" came to find you and he did.  I missed you by minutes one day.  Many people missed you and waited and searched and searched for you.

I thought I had seen you once.  I submitted your photo to the rare bird gurus and they told me that I'd know you when I saw you.  I had a picture of something else.   Do I glance you now on the feeder?  Larger than the rest.  Please stay long enough so that I can get a clear shot.  You are the final hummingbird to see for this season.

And I do spy you behind that feeder.  Please come out more.  I know you'll only be around for a very short time. 

Do you know how many nights I couldn't sleep until I found you?

And in your grand shadow and starry gorget I only hope to see you clearly.

Please let the other hummers stop chasing you off.  My heart is beating as fast as yours right now.

And then you chase a female off showing your white feathered back......

......your profile shows the long dark bill.........

......the feeder shows me that you are very large for a hummingbird.......

.......and your gorget shows a dark thick streak of pink........and I know that I've finally found you.  Like a great finale to a beloved TV series, I sigh and smile sharing the briefest of inner applauses inside my head.  I did it!  I spotted you.....you rare rare Plain Capped Starthroat.

I have moved from beginner to low intermediate birder. But please don't quiz me on my buntings, sparrows, or other little bitty flycatchers:)  I'm still studying this group and many others. Today ends the Chuparosa(Hummingbird) challenge for this year.  It was exciting.  Frustrating.  And always educational.  On this day I would suffer over a hundred chigger bites on my feet waiting for this bird.  It was the worst pain that I've felt for this year.  But the price was well worth it.  Two more posts on hummingbirds.  One which includes this years photography stats.  I hope you enjoy the shots.  They were collected from many many hours of observations.  I'd like to thank Warren for planting this series into my brain.  Because of this challenge, I discovered many of our beautiful canyons and just how unique they all are.  I'll be moving into the grasslands soon with Kathie.  Just a few of the many bloggers who inspire me to be a better person everyday.  Thank you all for your own work from your part of the world. More tomorrow.....