Yard Data - 2003 - 1998 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Newbury & Essex, Massachusetts
|
1st Observed |
1st Female |
May Max # |
July Max # |
Last Observed |
|
| 2003 - Newbury (Stichter) | May 2 | May 8 | 3(2M, 1F) | ||
| 2003 - Essex (Brown) | May 15 | May 15 | 5(3M,2F) | ||
|
2002 - Newbury (Stichter) |
May 4 |
May 11 | 3 (2F, 1M) | 3 - July 25 | September 22 |
|
2002 - Essex |
May 14 |
May 20 | 2 (m & f) | 2 (m & f) | September 18 |
|
2001 - Newbury (Stichter) |
May 4 |
May 4 | 3 (2F, 1M) | 3 - July 31 | September 15 |
|
2001 - Essex |
May 6 |
June 14 | 1 | 2 (m & f) | September 1 |
|
2000 - Newbury (Stichter) |
May 3 |
May 17 | 4 | 3 - July 21 | September 18 |
|
2000 - Essex |
May 6 |
May 6 | 2 (m & f) | 2 (m & f) | September 10 |
|
1999 - Newbury (Stichter) |
May 12 |
May 22 | 3 | 2 | September 21 |
|
1999 - Essex |
May 26 |
May 29 | 2 (m & f) | 1 | September 13 |
|
1998 - Newbury (Stichter) |
May 15 |
May 22 | 1F | 1 | unknown |
Arrival and Departure
Taking both Sharon Stichter's and Phil Brown’s yard data into account, we can say that:
(1) - Arrival was later in 1998 and 1999 than in subsequent
years
(unless we were not
watching carefully enough in 98 + 99)
(2) - Females usually, but not always, arrive later than males
(3) - Departure: all hummers are usually gone by the 3rd week in September…
( Newbury, Stichter's departure dates are all later than Essex, Brown)
In 2002, 2001 and 2000, (Newbury, Stichter) 1 to 2 Females visited the feeder and flowers consistently throughout May, June, July and August. This surely indicates nesting nearby. In 1999, no Female hummer was seen between 6/01 and 7/18, or between 7/18 and 8/21. So probably no nesting that year.
Nectar Flowers Used 2000-2002 (exact days approximate)
| May 14 - 21 | June | June 28 - July 28 | July 20 - August 30 | August 20 - September 21 |
| Columbine* Dicentra sp. Jap Quince |
Honeysuckle: Goldflame*,Coral, Morrow's or Tartarian |
Bee Balm* Penstemon barbatus |
Buddleia Salvias Agastaches Goldflame honeysuckle Jewelweed |
Annual vines: Card Climber Spanish Flag Red Morning Glory Salvias |
*= the most important nectar source
Note: In 2002 and 2001,
(Newbury, Stichter) both
Males and Females arrived BEFORE the columbine (A. canadensis) opened in
mid-May,
and used mainly feeders until bloom. In 2000, columbine opened early,
by May 5. All 3 honeysuckles also bloomed by 5/20 that year.
S. Stichter
4/23/03