Hummingbird Migration Celebration Sept. 8, 2012

Strawberry Plains Audubon Center at Holly Spring, MS

It certainly was nice to get to visit with Bob Sargent once again.  Carol Booker and I headed straight to the Banding Station where hummingbirds were captured, banded, weighed, measured, photographed and released.  Bob is the President of the Hummer/Bird Study Group (HBSG), a non-profit organization that was founded by him.  He has always had a "love affair" with the hummingbird.  His  travels keep him busy as he reports on banding activities, provides education and gives lectures. Bob and his wife, Martha, will even band a bird in your backyard if you report a rare hummingbird during the winter months.

Please visit the Hummer Bird Study Group website: http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/

 Maybe you would like to be a member, too. You'll love reading NetLines, a quarterly newsletter that reports on banding sessions and gives tips on attracting and feeding hummers and other birds.


BOB SARGENT from Clay, Alabama



Tickling a hummer

Volunteers record the band number, weight, measurements and important information about each bird.  They are placing a band on the Ruby-Throated hummingbird's leg.  The birds are kept in the white net bags until ready for banding.



Measuring the hummingbird with special tools.



 Chattyhummer releases a banded hummer.

 Bob Sargent discusses a bird's body fat.

 Banding a hummingbird.





Chattyhummer and Carol Booker learn lots of facts.



A woodpecker and his family found a safe place inside this tree.

Rob Mies, Director, Organization for Bat Conservation

World Expert on BATS

Kate Friedman provided fun stories of wildlife rescue and release.

Kate discusses hawks.

Until later,

Chattyhummer

It's Time for the Hummingbirds...I'm READY!

Dear Friends,

Since I'm now using 20 feeders, I'm buying 25 pounds bags of sugar and that isn't enough!  Each day I come home from work and they are ALL DRY.  To make nectar, I mix one cup of sugar to four cups of water with no food coloring.  The feeders  are cleaned twice a week with hot soapy water and a brush. 

Chattyhummer stocks up on sugar

This week I started hand-feeding the birds each day to try to establish a friendly feeding zone.  It's a lot of work to gain trust.  I work with them one hour each day after I get home from work.  Usually by 7:00 p.m., most have flown to the woods to nest.  Even though the birds feed all day, I've noticed that there are more in the early mornings and late evenings.  The window of time for hand-feeding is very limited but it is quite rewarding.

It's amazing what one can do with an iPhone.  I held the feeder with one hand and recorded video with the other hand.  Hummingbirds perched on the iPhone. 

It's fun to have 5 or more birds sitting on your hand at the same time.  There is nothing like it and I'm grateful that the birds visited my garden each year.

CHATTYHUMMER



Carol Savell (MS Yanke) 9/21 and Carol Rives Oct 2, 2011

Last Visitors for 2011 

Most of the hummingbirds were gone by October 2nd but a few stayed until October 27.

The hummer establishes eye contact with Carol Savell

Carol established trust.

The bird is doing a "trick" for Carol!

Enjoying a peaceful moment.

Carol Rives, Last visitor for 2011

Carol Rives came over to give me advice on the garden. It was time to plant snap dragons, salvia, pansies, dianthus, phlox, and more. With so many birds gone, we thought we would try hand-feeding. We were seeing 5-6 birds at a time and five feeders were remaining. It was a slow evening and both of us knew it was time to call it an evening.

Carol Rives, Ridgeland, MS

Maybe next year....

It's been fun!  Good-bye hummers!

Chattyhummer

Lyn Smith and Carol Booker Sept. 23, 2011



Visitors to the Garden

It's almost time for the birds to leave.  They are like little butter balls. Each day I'm taking down more and more feeders as they are no longer needed.



LYN SMITH, Brandon, MS

CAROL BOOKER, Brandon, MS

CHATTYHUMMER

George Wilkinson and Albert Davis Sept 18, 2011

 WHEN WILL THE HUMMINGBIRDS MIGRATE?



The hummer has George Wilkinson's full attention!

George Wilkinson visited the garden and brought his friend, Albert Davis, an experienced photographer.  Albert brought a great camera .....perfect for long distance subjects. Albert never dreamed that he would be so close to the hummingbirds.

Albert Davis, photographer from Jackson, MS, took some amazing pictures while George was feeding the hummingbirds. 

George is from Madison, MS



Hummers begin migrating in July and usually taper off  by October.  The Ruby-throated hummingbird increase their body mass to prepare for the long 500-mile journey (nonstop flight) across the Gulf of Mexico.  A few stragglers will linger so it is important to leave a few feeders through the winter for them.



"Come back to see us next year!"



Albert has some great photographs!



Pictures by Albert Davis



Albert caught the movement of the wing!



Chattyhummer and George Wilkinson

Br. Danny and Paula Bridges Sept. 17, 2011

MORE THAN A HAPPY BIRD!
September 17, 2011

"Happy Bird" lives in the garden.

HAPPY BIRD didn't always look this great!  In fact, he fell apart and was in need of a professional welder.  In my search for someone convenient and also someone who would accept a small job, I met Danny Bridges, a welder with over twenty-five years experience and a minister of  Christian  faith. While visiting with Danny in his welding workshop, he shared amazing stories of how Christ changed his life.  His words impacted my thoughts and weeks later I rededicated my life to Christ.  Br. Danny and Paula are my dear friends.  They enjoyed an evening with the birds.

Chattyhummer

Br. Danny Bridges, Florence, MS



Paula Bridges keeps her eye on the hummer!

"Lord, you knew I wanted to have some fun,

I bet you Walt Grayson would go crazy over this,"

remarked Br. Danny Bridges.

Florence, MS

We counted five hovering over Br. Danny's hand!

It's time for Paula to check out the birds.



PSALM 34:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Sharlie McGriff and Mary Ann Martin 9/16/11

It’s so rewarding to see how people react to hummingbirds. Sharlie was almost afraid to breath and her friend  Mary Ann, was fascinated with the “tiny feet” perched on her finger.  I kept hearing her say, “awesome!”

It was Sharlie's big moment!

Mary Ann is fastinated with the little feet!

Sharlie McGriff, Ridgeland



Mary Ann Martin, Madison, MS



Look at the wings!



Awesome!!!!!!!!

 Best Friends enjoy the moment.

Chattyhummer

John and Marcia Arthur, Brandon, MS 9/15/11

More and more Ruby-Throated hummingbirds  arrive in September.  I group feeders together in an area that I call the Hummingbird Zone. The hummingbirds come to the zone and the visitor becomes "the source."  Several birds will sit on a finger while others hoover over  hand-held mini feeders. 

Chattyhummer

The male is the one with the red gorget!
John Arthur, Brandon

SIX BIRDS!
John has a magic touch!

This is my favorite video clip from the season.

It's obvious that the birds are not afraid.

Two birds were visiting Marcia Arthur.



Marcia Arthur



Frances and Diego Almengual of Ridgeland, 9/11/11

It's late afternoon and Frances and Diego Almengual hand-feed the hummingbirds.  As the sun sets, the birds fly to the woods behind my house.


Ruby Throated establishes eye contact with Frances!

Hummer drinks from the spice cap



Diego was rewarded for his patience!

 

The hummer is looking into her eyes, her soul, and her heart.



The birds flew all around Diego and landed on his hand.



She sees the red gorget!



The hummer loves the nectar from the tube feeder.



Peaceful Moments for Pam Brown Sept. 9 - 10, 2011

I had the opportunity to share time with my favorite cousin, Pam Brown from Picayune, MS.  She has always been more of a sister to me than a relative!  Our time was special because we both knew that she was leaving for Malawi, Africa.  Her family, Jill and Jeremy Kyser are missionaries serving the African Bible College.  Pam plans to help with the 3 grandchildren and a baby on the way.  Please pray for the entire family.  Pam experienced some peaceful moments playing with the hummingbirds!

Pam and I made a short video clip called "A Walk in the Garden."

Chattyhummer

SUCCESS! Hand-feeding Hummingbirds in MS! 9 - 8 - 2011

This past week friends helped me hand-train hummingbirds to sit on our fingers while enjoying nectar. This is a process that doesn't happen over night! It takes patience and perserverance. Tonight I decided to introduce the birds to the Iphone. I held two feeders in my left hand and tried to video with my right hand. I don't think they like the little phone...no personal eye contact! This is what I saw and heard. Hope you enjoy! (49 sec)






Chattyhummer