I was hiking in Glastenbury on Sat. the 6th and saw one at the Goddard
shelter.


----- Original Message -----
From: "John MacArthur" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: last hummingbird dates


> Scott Morrical asked:
>
> >Ruby-throated Hummers that were coming to my feeders all summer
> >apparently did
> >not show yesterday, and I suspect they have migrated.  Actually they
> >stayed a
> >bit longer this year than is typical for my location.  I am interested to
> >know
> >other observers' "last hummingbird dates" this year if you care to share
> >them.
> >Thanks!
>
> I have been keeping an eye on the same information, and over the years
> have
> decided that (right here at least) September 7 is the last day, on
> average.
> This year, the youngsters who were hatched here and have been avidly
> draining the feeder all summer, left on September 4 or 5. On the 7th one
> individual showed up, but it behaved quite differently and I guessed that
> it was a migrant from further north.
>
> As for the question about taking the feeder down, it seems to me that the
> very fact that the youngsters have left is evidence that they are driven,
> not by food, but by the length of daylight, so it is OK to leave the
> feeder
> up all winter, if you want. I will leave mine out for at least a few more
> days, just in case a few more hungry migrants come through.
>
> John MacArthur
> Marlboro, VT
>