Hi --
One August Barry and I were staying at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, AZ -- anyone who has stayed there recalls that each cabin has its own hummingbird feeder. "Our" feeder would attract a fair number of hummers during the day, but during the night *something* would suck them dry! We got up at midnight to check -- and our feeder had about 10 nectar-feeding BATS at it -- clinging to the ports and flying about waiting their turn. Checking the internet, it appears there are two nectar species in AZ during this season, which migrate there to take advantage of flowering cactus and agave (and hummingbird feeders!) -- Mexican long-tongued bat and Lesser long-nosed bat (an endangered species). I am not sure which of the two we were hosting, but I must say they were impressive!
Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD
----- Original Message -----
From: "MICHAEL SPEICHER" <jugornought...>
To: "Maryland Birding Birding" <mdbirding...>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 11:56:03 PM
Subject: [MDBirding] Night shift at the Hummzinger feeder?
My Hummzinger feeder hangs from my patio door, so it is easily observed at any time, day or night. Hummers have it to themselves during the day with the exception of the odd fly/wasp/or other generally unsuccessful insect interloper. Recently well after dark, i chanced to observe a small moth that had alighted (is that a word) near one of the ports and was using its proboscis to probe around the area in search of nectar. This tiny moth had no chance to reach the nectar reservoir even if it hadn't been pretty well depleted. I am wondering, however, if there could be other similar more well endowed night visitors that i have been oblivious to that might be in the habit of visiting my feeder and perhaps yours as well. Perhaps this has been reported on by others?
Jim (Michael) Speicher
Broad Run/ Burkittsville area
S FRED CO
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