Ruby-throat Roundup

Bird Watcher News September 3rd, 2013

Don't Take Down Those Feeders!!!

We've all heard that we should take our feeders down on Labor Day so the hummingbirds will know to migrate, right? FALSE! Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have an internal clock based on the photoperiod (length of daylight hours) which tells them when it's time to go. Taking feeders down now serves no purpose. You will miss the peak of the season and the hummers really need to fatten up for their long journey south over the next few weeks. Many Ruby-throats will still be passing through into late October.

Gus

We are already getting "winter" reports of
Rufous Hummingbirds arriving. In fact, Julia banded a stunning adult male Rufous in Woodstock just last week! Keep an eye out for any unusual-looking birds (brown or white birds, any bird with color besides green on the top of the head, blue anywhere, or any orange/red in the bill). Rufous is by far our most common wintering species, but 12 species of hummingbirds have been documented in Georgia. Keep your feeders up all winter and please report any hummers seen after November 1st.

Hi Birdwatchers!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our banding event at Smith-Gilbert Gardens! We had over 300 visitors enjoying the beautiful gardens, bird walks, kids' activities, talking with the experts about pollination and gardening for birds and of course, the hummingbirds! Julia and Karen banded 14 Ruby-throats - three adult females and eleven hatching year males! We wish we could let everyone who wanted to release a bird, but a few lucky folks did get the chance a lifetime. Check out the photos in the Smith-Gilbert albums on the Georgia Hummers and Bird Watcher Supply Facebook pages!

If you missed it, don't worry, you'll have one more chance to see hummingbirds banded this Saturday, September 7th, from 8:30 - 11am at our Buford Bird Watcher Supply store at 1999 Mall of Georgia Blvd, right next door to Tuesday Morning. Come early since most of the birds will be banded in the first hour, and bring a chair and your camera! We will also have some fun crafts for kids this year!

Jim Seymour, with Southeastern Reptile Rescue, will be there too with a few special visitors...Sheldon, an 8'+ male Dwarf Reticulated Python, and Alice, a female Bull Snake. Don't worry, the snakes will be kept far away from the hummingbirds! This organization does some really important work relocating animals out of harm's way, educating the public and occasionally providing snakes and alligators for movie sets. Visit www.SnakesAreUs.com for more info!

You can call our Buford store at 770-945-9499 if you have any questions or need directions to the store. Or Click Here
for a map. See you on Saturday!!!

Kennesaw * Roswell * Buford * Marietta * Canton