Date: 10/24/24 10:14 am From: Snow, Dean R. <drs17...> Subject: Re: Returning Rufous Hummingbird
Many thanks to Debra Rittelmann for the Rufous Hummingbird story. It would make a terrific children's book.
Dean Snow
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Debra Rittelmann <dlrittelmann...>
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 7:12 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Returning Rufous Hummingbird
Dear Bird Club Members,
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!
