Hummingbird and Redstart: September 2022

I see Hummingbirds (3 inches in length) regularly at the bright red nectar feeder in my backyard. They have an amazing ability to hover in front of a flower (or the feeder) to sip its nectar and fly backwards away when satisfied. In fall they return to the tropics, many crossing the Gulf of Mexico en route.

I found this one during a walk in the Don Valley:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Although dozens of warbler species pass by in migration, only three species commonly nest in our area:

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Pine Warbler

Pine Warbler

and American Redstart.

American Redstart (male)
American Redstart (male)
American Redstart (male)
American Redstart (male)

Females are sometimes referred to as “Yellowstarts.”

American Redstart (female)
American Redstart (female)
American Redstart (female)
American Redstart (female)

I found this one in the valley. Perhaps it is a juvenile – showing a little orange.

American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart

Other birds:

Turkey Vulture
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch (male)
Song Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe
American Robin
American Robin
Red-tailed Hawk
Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird

NATURE POETRY

When sun-rays crown thy pine-clad hills
And summer spreads her hand,
When silvern voices tune thy rills,
We love thee, smiling land.                    Sir Cavendish Boyle (1849–1916)

Miles Hearn


1 thought on “Hummingbird and Redstart: September 2022

  1. Susanne Aufreiter

    Hi Miles,
    I’ve been enjoying the hummingbirds this summer too, but I only see females lately, and yours seems to be a female too. Is there a shortage of males?

    Reply

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