Just got my first male Rufous Hummingbird of the season hitting the nectar feeder, this past hour. I'm thinking the heat, dry conditions & wildfires in the hills are starting to push some into the river valleys.
Also, have at minimum 10 adult male & 6 female Black-headed Grosbeaks hitting the seeds at any one time. Juveniles should start showing soon. An adult male Lazuli Bunting appears sev times a day, as well.
Date: 7/4/26 6:40 am From: lcarrigan_55 via groups.io <carriganbw...> Subject: Re: [IBLE] Female Rufous Hummingbird
I don't keep detailed records. But, notice trends. Only other time I've noted Rufous at our river location, this time of year, was during the Yellowstone Fires of '88. Mid-July is when we tend to start observing the fall migration of Rufous at the feeder.
Will see what next few days brings, as a single bird could just be an "explorer", so to speak. But, might indicate flowers are dried up at higher elevation. Buddy was up in mtns out of Challis recently & said hillsides are "crispy" dry.
Date: 7/3/26 7:39 am From: lcarrigan_55 via groups.io <carriganbw...> Subject: [IBLE] Female Rufous Hummingbird
Just had my first female Rufous Hummingbird of season hit the feeder. That's about 2 wks earlier than usual, at my river location. They're the first of the hummingbirds in our area to start their southward migration. But, wonder if this one represents more of dryness in the mountain forest regions & moving to a bit more lush vegetation in the river valleys? Will see how many more appear in next week or so.
Also had a male Black-chinned doing its big, U-shaped loop displays right in front of me, about a dozen times. Believe the female is nesting in a blue spruce, near house.
