FLYING BACK HOME

I was out on our back porch hanging our hummingbird feeder when my son Alex came out.

“Isn’t it a bit early to be putting that out?” he asked pointing to the feeder.

“Your Dad sent me an article a few days ago from NJ Fish and Wildlife that said our little friends should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.” I adjusted the bright red feeder so that it was nestled just right on its hook. “I just want to make sure we’re ready to welcome them back.”

“Don’t hummingbirds go back to the same area each year?” He asked as he sat down in the rocking chair.

“Yup.” I sat down in the Adirondack chair next to him. “Our two little jerks should be arriving any day now.”

Alex started to laugh. “I wonder why ours fight so much?”

“I know!” I cried. “Neither one of them will let the other get a drink.” Just thinking about it made me laugh. “When one finally does land on the feeder they have to constantly be looking over their shoulder for the other idiot to come zooming in, making them take off.” I looked out over our yard that was just beginning to show signs of spring. Buds were on the trees, daffodils in full bloom, even the chipmunks had come out of hiding and were scurrying around the oak tree. “I love this time of year.” I sighed.

“Yeah, me too.” Alex said as he pointed to a chipmunk. “Do we have any peanuts that we can toss to him?”

I got up from my chair and went into the kitchen to get the bag of peanuts. Coming back out on the porch I reached in the bag and tossed a fistful out into the yard. The movement scared the chipmunk and they ran further into the woods.

“They’ll be back.” I said as I sat back down placing the bag next to my chair. “Now, getting back to the hummingbirds…”

Alex laughed. “Okay.”

“Why are ours so territorial?” I looked over at Alex.

“Aren’t they all territorial?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” I said shaking my head. “I’ve seen videos where a half a dozen hummingbirds are all at the same feeder.” I pointed to our feeder. “I’ve never seen that here. But I’ve seen videos.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “They’re still pretty funny to watch.”

I nodded my head. “Agreed on that one.”

Just then a house finch landed on the top of our birdhouse. “Oh look!” I pointed over to the birdhouse. “It’s nest hunting!”

We watched as its mate landed next to them, taking turns going into the house.

“Good thing I cleaned that out last fall.” I said to Alex before calling out to the birds. “Welcome back!”

“How do you know it’s the same couple as last year?” He asked.

“Because house finches do the same as hummingbirds.” I stated. “Once they find an area they like they come back.” I looked over at Alex. “Did you know house finches rarely nest in bird houses?”

“Then why do they use our bird house every year?”

I couldn’t help but smile as I pointed to our bird feeders, bird bath, and bird houses. “Because I’m a very good yard hostess.”

Alex laughed. “I guess you are.”