Nature's Notebook

t’s not the title of a new movie, and it’s not about hum-vees. Instead, the Tri-State region was hit by an amazing influx ofhummingbirdsduring the past few weeks.

 That’s right. Hummingbirds. In November. And not just any hummingbirds, not even our one common breeding species in the East,the ruby-throated hummingbird.

 No, most of these areSelasphorushummingbirds. Don’t worry, they’re not some kind of radioactive element. That’s the name of a genus of two closely related hummingbirds from western North America, the rufous hummingbirdand Allen’s hummingbird. Even expert birders have trouble telling these two species apart, so similar is their plumage at this time of year; for that reason, they often refer to them by their generic name.

Sensibly, our rubythroats have headed south for the winter, and so have the vast majority of other North American hummers. But for some reason, a handful of these tiny birds, particularly of the Selasphorus duo, wander the continent during late fall, popping up at hummingbird feeders and late-blooming flowers far from their home ranges.

What made this November exceptional was the sheer number of sightings. Many of us suspect that the continued string of unusually warm days is the cause, though why it should push those Westerners eastward is not clear. A second possible explanation is that more people have been leaving out their nectar feeders longer as they become aware of the general phenomenon of late-wandering hummers.

You might want to join in the game by hanging a hummingbird feeder and watching it for a tiny sprite (though as I write this, the season’s coldest weather is finally due to arrive). Feeders are on sale at the Sharon Audubon gift shop and elsewhere.

Notes from readers: Joy Pulver of Salisbury writes that an adultbald eagleis still evident in the vicinity of Lakeville Lake; Margaret Webber of Sharon had a flock of eastern bluebirdson her deck.

Fred Baumgarten is a naturalist and writer. He can be reached at fredb58@sbcglobal.net. His blog is at thatbirdblog.blogspot.com. 

Latest News

HVRHS Varsity golf swings into action

Dan Moran, left, and Wiley Fails, right, walk down the fairway to the green with a competitor from Lakeview High School, center. Moran shot 52 on nine holes and Fails shot 57 during Housy's first preseason golf match.

Photo by Riley Klein

LITCHFIELD — Housatonic Valley Regional High School took on Lakeview High School for a Berkshire League preseason match Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Hosted at Lichfield Country Club, the two teams put forth six official golfers to pair up in three foursomes with the lowest four scores contributing to team totals. Additional players from each side matched against each other for practice play.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ann Marie Nonkin

LAKEVILLE — Ann Marie Nonkin, 80, of Millerton Road, passed away Aug. 25, 2024, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was the loving wife of the late Dr. Paul Nonkin.

She was born April 12, 1944 in Queens, New York, the daughter of the late John and Ann Vallen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cornwall considers taking tax collector off ballot

CORNWALL — Long standing tax collector Jean Bouteiller will step down at the end of her two-year term this November.

With no qualified residents stepping forward to run for the position, the Board of Selectmen discussed the prospect of making the role an appointed job at a meeting Aug. 20.

Keep ReadingShow less
Farmers air struggles at Dutchess County Fair’s annual Ag Forum

Hans Pedersen, age 7, of Sharon, showed his Guernsey, Paisley, at the Dutchess County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 24. The calf was born Dec. 12, 2023, and is from Coon Brothers Farm in Amenia.

Photo by Olivia Valentine

RHINEBECK, N.Y. — The Dutchess County 9th annual Agricultural Forum was held on Aug. 22 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.
Local farmers, elected officials, and representatives from conservancy organizations attended the forum to discuss agricultural history and how the industry is a critical component of the county’s economic success, generating over $45 million in sales.

A. Gregg Pulver, Dutchess County Comptroller and farmer, began the forum by introducing representatives of the agricultural community and elected officials who share the same vision: “the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, mechanical and domestic arts, fine arts, and allied sciences through education, instruction, display, and competition.”

Keep ReadingShow less