For folks who are not on Facebook where I've already posted this, I thought
you might enjoy hearing about this amazing bird!
This year marks the third year in a row that we had a returning Rufous
Hummingbird to our feeder in our yard in Centre County, Spring Mills,
Pennsylvania.
In 2022, a mystery hummingbird arrived on 9-25-22. Carl Engstrom noticed
that it might not be a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird from my eBird photos.
Wayne Laubscher attempted to capture it, but it escaped from the trap
before the door completely closed. It departed on 10-9-22. It was listed as
a Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird in eBird. It was here for 15 days.
In 2023, a Rufous Hummingbird arrived on 10-5-23. Sandy Lockerman, Master
Hummingbird Bander, and husband Gary captured her on 10-6-23 to discover
that this bird was already banded on 11-25-22 in Sicklerville, NJ! She
departed on 10-18-23. She was here for 14 days.
In 2024, a Rufous Hummingbird arrived on 9-19-24. After 3 attempts, Sandy
and Gary Lockerman captured her on 10-13-24 to discover that this banded
Rufous is the exact same bird as the previous year! She departed on
10-20-24 (unless she re-emerges). She was here for 32 days with a 5-day
absence.
Sandy Lockerman states that this is the only record of a Rufous Hummingbird
returning for 3 years in a row in Pennsylvania.
Is she now on her way to New Jersey? Will she return next year?
“All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally
authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird
Banding Lab.”
Keep those hummingbird feeders up! Wayne Laubscher said he once had a
hummingbird in January in 10 degree weather!
