Hummingbird season got off to a rather slow start here this year, but once the babies fledged, it was crazy for a while. The birds particularly loved this fuchsia, probing each blossom with their long bills. This hatch year male made a lot of squeaking noises while feeding. Like people, some hummingbirds are more vocal than others.
I had three feeders this summer, two in the front of the house and one at the back. I like the “HummZinger” type, because it has perches, which hummingbirds love, and it’s so darned easy to clean. That entire red lid lifts off. These feeders were designed in RI and used to be made here until the inevitable happened and they began making them in China.
This adult male spent hours surveying his territory from a nearby wire and swooped down on all interlopers who dared come to “his” feeders. He’s gone now, and so are almost all the others. Last weekend they were in a feeding frenzy and on Monday, just a couple of juvenile birds remained. I saw one this morning, probing the fuschia.
Digging RI 
Across town – inland – our are still here but I suspect that momentarily they will be on the wing. So enjoy them. One of my favorite summer creatures.
LikeLike
Down here where it’s so warm, we have to take our feeders down to encourage the hummers to move on. Some have even been spotted in the dead of winter! Mother Nature’s clock keeps ticking and your little visitors will be back before you know it. 🙂
LikeLike
Nice to hear from you, CJ. Thanks for the like!
LikeLike
Still have two small females feeding voraciously at my backyard feeders and at an urn in the front yard with a red fuchsia like yours. I imagine they will take wing soon, and I will miss their antics until they return in the spring!
LikeLike
I think my last young male left over the weekend. I did have a female feeding yesterday afternoon, probably passing through.
LikeLike
our swallows have returned. Busily completing the nest they got ready before.
As the Melianthus comes into flower I watch many birds checking in.
Is it open yet, is there nectar?!
LikeLike