Hummingbird survey Results

Hummingbird survey Results - 2003

The Wildlife Diversity Program of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation first began requesting hummingbird data from Oklahomans in the 1988 Watchable Wildlife Newsletter. In 1991, the brochure “Oklahoma’s Hummingbirds” was published, complete with an Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey Form. Data gathered since that time are compiled and an annual summary of the results are prepared and sent to survey participants. The information provided through the survey allows the Wildlife Diversity Program to learn more about the state’s hummingbird population and how long these migrants reside in Oklahoma each year.

Hummingbirds belong to a group of birds called neotropical migrants – birds that winter from northern Mexico to the tip of South America and migrate to North America to breed. Scientists in North and South America have initiated a partnership for the conservation of neotropical migrants called Partners in Flight/Aves de las Americanas. Efforts on behalf of neotropical migrants are currently focused on habitat preservation and restoration, monitoring of wintering and breeding populations, and promotion and public awareness. Oklahoma has 66 breeding songbird neotropical migrants, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Your continued participation in the Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey will help the Wildlife Diversity Program develop a quality database that will further the conservation effort directed toward these neotropical migrants. We can’t thank you enough!

2003 RESULTS

In 2003, 37 Oklahomans from 24 counties participated in the Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey, as opposed to 50 participants from 31 counties in 2002. This reflects a large decrease in the number of participants! The earliest Ruby-throated Hummingbird sighting reported statewide was on March 22 from both Pushmataha and Adair counties and the latest sighting reported was on October 15 from Cleveland County. A map is provided (Figure 1) showing earliest and latest recorded dates of hummingbird observations by county. The most frequently reported date for putting up hummingbird feeders was April 1. Eighty-four percent (84%) of participants put their feeders up before April 15^th. The most frequently reported date for removing hummingbird feeders was November 1. Seventy-three percent (73%) of participants took their feeders down between October 15 and the end of November.

Participants were divided into western, central and eastern regions. Alfalfa County south to Cotton County defines the eastern boundary of the western region, and Osage County south to Bryan County defines the western boundary of the eastern region. In 2003, the eastern region had the most participants with 20 followed by the central region with 10 and the western region with 7. Table 1 provides participant comparison. Regional results are presented in Table 2.

Table 1. Participant Comparison
Region	# of Counties	# of Participants
Eastern	11	20
Central	6	10
Western	7	7

Table 2. Data Comparison for Survey Results by Region
Region	# of Reports 2000 2001 2002 2003				Earliest Sighting 2000 2001 2002 2003				Latest Sighting 2000 2001 2002 2003
Eastern	26	18	24	20	03-07	04-03	04-04	03-22	10-15	10-12	10-30	10-13
Central	15	13	18	10	04-06	03-03	04-03	04-06	10-28	10-13	11-13	10-15
Western	7	6	8	7	04-18	04-02	04-02	03-29	10-07	10-10	10-12	10-06

The list of other wildlife species visiting hummingbird feeders continues to be quite diverse. Wildlife species reported are as follows:

BIRDS INSECTS MAMMALS

Baltimore Oriole ants squirrel

Orchard Oriole honeybees raccoon

House Finch wasps opossum

Wren sp. bumblebee

Downy Woodpecker yellow jacket OTHERS

American Goldfinch house fly tree frog

Red-bellied Woodpecker moths spider spp

Carolina Chickadee praying mantis

grasshopper

mud daubers

Butterflies (Red Admiral)

Recorded observations of the use of plants by hummingbirds resulted in a diverse plant list. Below is the list in order of the most frequent.

Petunias

Salvia sp.

Honeysuckle

Morning Glory

Four ‘o’ clocks

Lantana sp.

Trumpet Vine

Cypress Vine

Impatiens sp.

Verbena sp.

Cannas

Crepe myrtle

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Roses

Columbine

Rose of Sharon

Geranium sp.

Cardinal climber

Mimosa Tree

Penta sp.

Indian paintbrush

Azaleas

Zinnias

Hibiscus

Begonias

Butterflybush

Cleome sp.

Hosta sp.

Phlox

Jewelweed

Larkspur

Wieglia sp.

Daisy

Lilac

Moon Plant

Mints

Fushia

Coneflowers

Butterfly weed

Cardinal Flower

Scarlet gilia

Blazing star

Agastches

Marigold

Hyacinth bean vine

Nicotiana

Gladiolas

Hummingbird bush

Desert Willow tree

Lythrum

Penstemon

Dianthus

Lilies

Iris

Vinca

Wisteria

Hollyhocks

Comments that are provided by survey participants reflect a variety of sentiment ranging from joy to frustration.

- I did not seem to have as many hummingbirds this year – 5 at the most – but really enjoy sitting on my front porch and watching them chase each other away from the feeders. I have come to recognize the sound they make. I have a feeder hanging near my picture window and once in a while I will hear a thud when they fly into it. I guess they see their reflection and think its another bird. They are usually okay after being stunned, has worn off. (Cleveland)

- At the peak (June – August) we had approximately 25 birds. We used approximately 30 lbs of sugar. (Pushmataha)

- We had close to 40 birds sharing the feeders. So much entertainment. They ate more sugar than we did. We used the tip of Q-tip brushing cooking oil on the base of the feeder to keep the bees from drinking from the feeder. It worked so well. (Washington)

- Thought last little hummer would never leave. I kept telling him he had to go south. (LeFlore)

- This year I saw 5 birds around my feeder at the same time. I only saw 5 birds one time. I usually only see two or three at a time. (Ellis)

- We just moved from Lincoln Co. and left 100’s of hummers there. Was surprised to see how many we had in our new location. We couldn’t keep up filling the feeders. (Oklahoma)

- I had a great year. I have relocated to a rural location and I believe I probably have more birds than I realized. I am in an area that is full of eastern redcedar and I think the hummers are staying in the trees. I only noticed the Ruby-throated this year. My plans fro next year are to plant a wider variety of “hummer” friendly plants and to put up several more feeders. I also hope to have the feeders up by March 15^th. I was thrilled with this year’s numbers and looking forward to next year! (Woods)

- We don’t see hummers at the feeders much when the trumpet vines are in full bloom but we do see them in the vines – we have several vines and one goes up an antenna tower nearly to the top. (Alfalfa)

- Did not have trouble with bees or ants this year. September 10 -24, had to fill every other day. This is 7^th survey for us. (Pushmataha)

- I usually have about 75+ birds each year. My feeders are 12 cup, 8 cup & 2-4 cup and I fill them every day when their babies hatch. (Adair)

- We had lots of hummers, 10 at a time, until August when we left home for a week. After we only had 3 0r 4 at a time. (Osage)

- 20 birds at one time was the most I saw. 7 birds were feeding on a 4-seater feeder. More hummers this year than last year. I saw a hummer fight a downy woodpecker off his suet feeder. It was a black-chinned male. What joy it is to watch these little birds. (Garvin)

- This was our best summer for ruby-throated hummers since we began feeding at this location in 1995. (Washington)

- On Sept 1^st 8 hummers were on feeder and 2 circling it. Feeder emptied quickly. I wait until the crowd dispersed then went to refill it. Holding the feeder in my left hand and pouring sugar water into the feeder with a measuring cup in my right, had 3 hummers fly up in front of me. 2 stayed in front and one landed on my left index finger that was just below a feeding port! He took a good drink from the feeder then flew off with the other two. I could see this little specked throated hummer up close but could feel no weight on my finger. I am very sorry I do not have a picture of this. (Cleveland)

- We had a large number of hummers this year. We used 132 lbs sugar. The birds were constant all summer. (Cherokee)

- The most birds on or around the feeders at one time was 36. There were large numbers of birds feeding throughout the day (14 – 20). The peak number of birds came the second week of August. The number of birds tapered off quick from then until the first week of October There were three males that stayed until Oct. 12. (Pushmataha)

- We have really enjoyed the birds. Each year we get more and have to hang more feeders. This is our 4^th year to have out feeders. (Dewey)

- We had 4 this year but lost 1. It got into Ted’s workshop unbeknown to us and killed itself by flying into the window trying to get out. Ted found it on the window sill. (Tulsa)

- First hummer on 4/5 – outside temperature dropped April 7-8-9 Next sighting 4/12. Saw first female 4/30. (Muskogee)

- I put feeders up by my pond this year. I had a lot of birds come to them. I used Vick’s mentholatum rub on cord holding my feeders to keep away ants. It worked. (Sequoyah)

- Had one Ruby-throated female hanging upside – down; thought it was dead, but later just flew off. (Oklahoma)

- I continued to see black-chinned hummers all season. We had 2 juvenile males until Oct. 9^th, not sure what species they were but suspect black-chinned, due to the distinct sound of their wings. They are much louder than Ruby-throats. (Grady)

- I have been concerned for years that the large female praying mantis that get on my feeders in late Sept. might be able to kill a hummingbird. Do you know if this has ever happened? (Comanche)

- We have had a lack of rain the past two years and especially this past year (we have lost many flowering shrubs & flowers& many trees). We hope to replace many of these this spring – we have had a lot of trouble with hawks catching & killing our feeding birds. Is there any way to stop this – we are surrounded on 3 sides by Nat’l Forest. (LeFlore)

Again, we would like to thank all the participants for your contribution to the hummingbird database. All of the information you provide is beneficial to understanding the habitat requirements of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.