When I began working with hummingbirds more than 40 years ago, it was a common practice for Georgians to take down their hummingbird feeders in September; this was done because many folks subscribed to the popular belief that, if you left your feeders up past August, you would entice the birds not to migrate. We now know that hummingbirds migrate due to declining day length and not the availability of food. As the days become shorter, ruby-throated hummingbirds begin storing fat the fuel needed to complete their long migration. When it is time for them to leave, abundance of nectar-bearing flowers and hummingbird feeders stocked with sugar water cannot keep them from making this epic trip.
We were fortunate to have a Rufous Hummer that spent the winter with us here in Harris County, GA a few years ago. Would not have happened if we didn’t leave the feeder up.
Ted,
Thanks for reporting your rufous. Practically all of the rufous hummingbirds seen in Georgia during the winter are seen at feeders. I wish more folks would leave a feeder up in winter. Incidentally, rufous numbers have been dropping during the past few years. As such, they do not seem as common here in Georgia as they once were.
Thanks for letter me know about your sighting. Your bird is the first I have heard about in Harris County.
Hi Terry, Read your Aug 20 article in F&C Market Bulletin report on Victor Dwarf Crape Myrtl. Having trouble in Athens GA area finding one. Advise please?
Thanks,
Pat S
Pat,
I wish I could tell you where you could find one. Since the UGA folks did the research on the plants, perhaps a call to the local Athens agent could tell you where you might purchase one. Terry