A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird attended my feeder yesterday morning
(12/27/09) in Cape Charles and also fed in blooming Camellia
at Wilson-Lee House across the street. A relatively short-billed Archilochus,
the back was bright emerald green and the underparts off-white but
not grayish. The bird did not pump its tail when feeding or repositioning.
Call notes were completely typical for Ruby-throated.
I cannot seem to relocate the Painted Bunting that was a block away, even
though local feeders (including mine) seem to have drawn in plenty of
House Sparrows. Maybe the coming shot of cold weather will encourage her to
come in.
The Cackling Goose (nominate subspecies) at Marina Villages East was not in
place yesterday but is likely still around. This location is in the
northeastern part of Cape Charles and is a good place to check for grebes and
ducks as well.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
