Field Trip

Chasing a Rare Jewel

I am not usually one to take off in search of rare birds in my area.  Usually work and commitments keep me close to home, but this weekend offered too good of an opportunity.  A 1st year male Allen's Hummingbird had been visiting a feeder at a private residence in Pipersville, PA, less than a half hour from my home.  Thanks to the generosity of the homeowner visitors are welcome, so I went out in search of the Allen's.

I was lucky enough to see it visit the feeder twice in the half hour I watched.  The Allen's Hummingbird is normally a resident of the coast of southern Oregon and California.  It was previously thought to migrate southward, sticking to the West Coast, but that idea now seems to be in question.  Quite often, too, these western hummingbirds go eastward again a year or two later. So we know that at least some of them survive the winter, go back to their breeding grounds, and return again to the East Coast.  How lucky for those that leave the feeders out!  I just might do that next year!

I capped off my day out with a trip to Peace Valley Park, saw lots of geese, gulls, and an American Coot.  What a great end to a day that added another lifer to my list.