HUMMINGBIRDS, SWIFTS, AND KINGFISHERS

This is another highly unnatural combination of birds from different orders (Apodiformes and Coraciiformes), done only for convenience, so try not to fret overly much about it.  It's a short page, anyway.

Hummingbirds and Swifts - Chimney Swifts are not uncommon birds in the skies over Woodruff in summer and early fall, but photographing these "flying cigars" away from a nest or roost is way out of my league.  E-mail me hints if you know how to do it.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that regularly occurs on the refuge.  I see them more often in spring when presumably larger number of migrants are passing through than I do during summer, but some birds probably nest on the refuge.  Look for them around big clusters of Trumpet Creeper in summer - there's a big pine tree or two in the parking lot that are liberally festooned with these bright orange flowers, and I occasionally see them there. Females (left) seem to be more frequently seen than the red-throated males (right).

Kingfishers

There are always a few Belted Kingfishers on the refuge in the winter - look for them hunting from palm trees on any of the dikes around the impoundments, or hovering over the pools themselves.  They often show up in late summer (August), apparently from nearby breeding populations.  They don't nest on the refuge, though, as far as I know.  For some reason, kingfishers are one of the wariest and most easily flushed birds I know of, hence this cheesy photo.

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