Look Who's back!

The October Newsletter is ready! Read it at http://www.sandpipersresort.com . Look under news, and if you don't know the password, send me an email and I'll tell you. zabrit@earthlink.net
Not only are hummingbirds returning to the valley on their migratory path escaping the cold weather, last Spring's soon-to-be-goners have completed their summer hiatus and are now returning in droves.

In the past few weeks we have welcomed:

Bob & Ann

Tony & Paul

Jon & Donna

Don & Chic

Bruce & Theresa

George & Kathy

Pat & Ed

Tom & Ellen

Chris & Sonia

Welcome back!

Sandpiper's Resort is in Ecoregion 6, the South Texas plains, and can expect to see several varities of hummingbirds. There are as many as 16 different kinds in the region. Here are just a few you might see if you have feeders set up, or flowers they like. Check out this site for more info on attracting these "jewels of the skies": http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_trackers/hummingbird_roundup/gardening/tips/













Buff-bellied Hummingbird

An inhabitant of scrubby woods and border areas, this Rio Grande Valley specialty is being observed further north and east each year. In Texas this bird breeds in coastal oak mottes and the riparian forests of the Rio Grande Valley. A hummingbird that is slightly larger than the usual Ruby-throated or Black-chinned Hummingbird, this bird is dark green overall with a rufous tail and red bill. Sexual dimorphism is minimal.


Ruby-throated Hummingbird

This is “the hummingbird” of the eastern United States. Although most states can record at least two species of hummingbird, for most of the population of the United States, the Ruby-throated is the species they know.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, is associated with mixed hardwood and pine forests, forest edges, clearings, orchards, and gardens but is seldom seen in urban areas. This is a bright colored, long tailed hummingbird.


Rufous Hummingbird

Found in every ecoregion of the state, this is the bird often described as “the bully.” A notably aggressive bird around feeders or hummingbird gardens, this bird is found in a variety of habitats from scrub and thorn areas to forests and trees. Wintering birds often prefer feeders and gardens. The rufous is a small, compact, relatively short winged bird that will always show some of the color the name developed from.