Moving Experience

by Mary and Andrew Way
(Raleigh, NC)

Hummingbird Visiting Feeder

We have just moved up from Jacksonville Florida. We had occasional visits from hummingbirds there, but nothing like our experience up here.

We now live in Raleigh North Carolina. Along with unboxing our dishes, books, and belongings, we hung a hummingbird feeder on our deck.

The deck is off of the second story of the house so the feeder is 13 feet above the ground. Our backyard ends in wetlands that is off the Neuse River. The Hummingbirds visit the feeder throughout the day and we are amazed at the constant flights.

We have witnessed a single bird as well as two and three at at time. With tremendous speed they swoop in, drink at the feeder, and speed away going about 10 feet higher into the trees.

Often one will leave and another will come right behind it. From our deck we can even watch them perch in the trees. They don't seem to mind us sitting on the deck and watching them. We have felt them soar by our heads and we have heard their "hum".

We have identified Ruby Throated Hummingbirds and we're hoping we have other species. They have given us a wonderful welcome to North Carolina.