It's the beginning of September and the departure of some of our migratory birds is sadly well underway. I haven't seen male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks since the middle of August, and the females and young grosbeaks went missing around the end of August.
Also departed are our Chipping Sparrows. I had boisterous little families of "chippies" visiting my yard until about late August as well.
The last adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird I saw was on August 13. Migrating females and first year birds, though infrequent, are still in the yard (at least as far of September 7). We're into the range of dates now when the last one will pass through, but I will keep a hummingbird feeder up and filled with fresh nectar until early October or so. This is when a our Mini Hummingbird Feeder really becomes valuable, so I'll only be filling with 3-4 oz. of nectar at a time.
It's admittedly harder to track a "last seen" date than an arrival date, but try to jot down when you see your last of these birds for the season. It'll become a running count, where you change the date if another bird shows up. It's fun to track "last seen" dates and refer to them from year to year. I'd love to hear your "last seen" dates for any of the birds in your yard.
Judy, it's late but there are still a few hummingbirds hanging out in LA in early November, according to eBird.
Lucky You!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | November 06, 2015 at 10:07 AM
I recently went on vacation and upon my return a hummingbird was still coming to my garden. I live in Louisiana and when I left for vacation I was somewhat upset because I really didn't think I would see another one upon my return. It is November 4, 2015 and I was so excited!!!!
Posted by: Judy | November 05, 2015 at 09:25 PM
Earl, great sighting of a hummer in Queensbury on 9/24! Resident males typically leave our area in August. Keep watching - you never know!
Marie, welcome to the world of feeding the birds. Fall hummingbirds are hard to tell male from female. Adult males will always have the red throat; young males may or may not show streaking where the throat will grow in later.
Goldfinch populations vary widely as they move around quite a bit.
Keep checking here to learn more about birds and have fun!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | September 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Hi! Just started bird watching - so I am very new but excited. I live in Memphis Tennessee. I noticed humming birds are still here - sorry to say I am still learning the sexes so not for sure yet - but seems the rest of the birds are gone. Their were lots of cardinals but the last week I have not seen any. Plus lots of golden finches but they have dwindled in number too.
I need to learn more. So excited.
Posted by: Marie Alice | September 24, 2015 at 07:28 PM
Saw a female hummingbird today on our honeysuckle. However, it's been a long time since we saw another one. We have not seen any males in over a month.
Our siting of the hummingbird today was in Queensbury, NY
Posted by: Earl | September 24, 2015 at 02:09 PM
Earl, Good sighting! I'm still watching, just northwest of you. My last hummingbird was 9/10 now.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | September 16, 2015 at 03:27 PM
We saw a female hummingbird at our feeder in Queensbury today.
Posted by: Earl | September 15, 2015 at 10:39 PM
thank you. i live 20 miles south of Raleigh,NC.
Posted by: lou | September 10, 2015 at 03:48 PM
Ellen, that is interesting! I wonder if elevation plays a part as well.
Lou, at this time of year, birds often decline at your birdfeeders as they eat abundant natural food sources. I assume that's what is happening in your yard. Don't worry, they'll return as those natural sources deplete.
Joyce, yeah those little chippies can be a noisy lot. But think how quiet our yards would be without them!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | September 10, 2015 at 02:31 PM
My trees were "crazy" with Chipping Sparrows this year. I hate to complain, but the twittering really got to me, I had so many. BUT, that will not stop me from feeding my birdies!
Posted by: Joyce | September 09, 2015 at 01:23 PM
i live in wake county,NC. haven't seen any birds in my backyard since mid july . hoping for a return soon.
Posted by: lou | September 09, 2015 at 01:06 PM
Interesting! I don't live all that far from you, Nancy, but we had about two dozen Chipping Sparrows in the yard yesterday, and a feisty male hummingbird chased an Eastern Wood-Pewee off the line where he likes to perch. On the other hand, I haven't seen any adult male Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks here in quite some time.
Posted by: Ellen | September 09, 2015 at 12:31 PM
Naomi, birds, including hummingbirds, will almost always prefer natural food sources over artificial, especially if they bred in an area that had no birdfeeders out (a distinct possibility!) Just keep the nectar fresh. As natural food sources deplete, feeders will become more attractive to them.
Stephanie, I'm happy for your new bird. Probably one on its migratory journey. Thanks for reporting in!
Elaine, how wonderful to have such a treasure trove of notes! I know I like to look back on mine, and they only go back a couple decades. Hold on to and treasure those notes!! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | September 09, 2015 at 11:13 AM
Down here in Alabama, we have hummers til around the first week in October! My mother and father were big birders and Mom even helped with banding down in the Bon Secour Preserve on the Gulf Coast. I am still recording my sightings and last bird notes in their copy of Alabama Birds, so there are notes beginning in the '60s.
Posted by: Elaine Snow | September 09, 2015 at 08:59 AM
I live in Michigan and the first time I saw the Grosbeak was last week.
Posted by: stephanie szpytek | September 08, 2015 at 05:12 PM
Funny, we still have female hummingbirds in the yard, but they're feeding on flowers and ignoring the feeder.
Posted by: Naomi | September 08, 2015 at 11:44 AM