Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2002 18:46:02 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Kurt Schwarz Subject: Hummingbird Strangeness Several years back, a friend gave me an article torn from a farming journal, that related an odd story about alleged hummingbird behavior. I meant to inquire of the MDOSPREY readership then, but it disappeared into my filing system (that large heap of paper on the dining room table), only to be unearthed as we cleaned up the house for holiday entertaining. In any case, the bit related by one J. Wayne Spears in an article entitled "September Is a Time of Magic in the Hollow" published in the September 2001 issue of PROGRESSIVE FARMER relates: "'What is that? It looks alive. It is... it's moving!' shouted the contractor sitting in my truck. We were in the Hollow looking at improving a field road near Cahulga Creek. And as I eased my truck across the creek into a wildlife food plot, we spotted a large ball moving just off the ground across the opposite end of the plot." There follows a lengthy passage on how wonderful September is in the Hollow, then continues: "Most Septembers, hundreds of ruby-throated hummingbirds gather in the Hollow to feed on the abundant jewelweed flower. I am told this flower gives the little bird the fat reserve needed to migrate to their wintering grounds. Twice I have seen large balls formed by swarming hummingbirds. Once they form the balls they disappear. An ornithologist tells me they often migrate in large groups, forming a ball to conserve energy for flying long distances." It all sounds a little implausible to me. Has anyone else ever heard of such a phenomenon, let alone seen it? I don't know where this Hollow is located, but presume it to be in Alabama, based on the author's address. I and my Kentucky farming friend are curious as to whether this is true, or just hooey. I find no mention of this alleged phenomemon in Sibley's guide to behavior. But that was hardly an exhaustive search. Rather than clutter the Osprey with chatter, please respond off-list, and I will summarize and post any responses, positive or negative. Happy New Year! Kurt "No Credibility Now!" Schwarz Howard County goawaybird@comcast.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================