Hummingbird Studies--Vickie Henderson

This is my favorite time of year to watch hummingbirds.  The heavy migration time in the east varies depending on where you live.  In east Tennessee it's now.  Tropical storm Lee has pushed cold air and lots of rain our way and hummingbirds are coming down in droves, escaping the wind and rain.

This creates a perfect opportunity to enjoy and observe their behavior.  I have five feeders out now and they are all busy.  Yesterday while refilling two of them, I was amazed to see that every feeder had three to four hummers settled on it, quietly drinking.  Just what makes them settle down peacefully for a moment is a mystery of subtle hummingbird communication.  It doesn't last long.  A moment later, they are chirping with tails fanned and giving chase!

Hummingbirds from the north begin migrating through Tennessee in July.  Last year by September 19th, all of our male Ruby-throated hummingbirds had departed; by mid October most all of the hummers here will be gone and settled on their wintering grounds in southern Mexico and Central America.

To see more about my hummingbird studies, visit:  Hummingbird Studies--Movement and Light, at Vickie's Sketchbook.  For more information about Ruby-throated hummingbirds visit:  The Hummingbird Days of Summer, at Vickie Henderson Art.