Rare Hummingbird Dilemma

Time for another case study around gatekeeping in birding, this time we discuss a dilemma of managing access at a private yard hosting a hummingbird. This video discusses how best to manage a crowd, coving the "when, where, and how" and also a look at how hummingbirds are banded.

0:00 Intro
0:53 Background on vagrants and range change
3:14 Access for birders
4:58 Where
5:27 When
5:56 How
7:03 Bird banders
9:11 Case Study

[josephbratta]

Another great video Doug! Here in the Chicago area, we had three rare hummingbirds simultaneously at three private residences (two Rufous and one Anna's). I got plenty of experience the last few weeks in navigating these types of scenarios. Lucky for me and many others, the homeowners were gracious hosts, and everybody I encountered was very respectful. The Illinois Rare Bird Discord was an excellent resource, with our moderator reaching out to the homeowners and conveying various rules and preferences regarding visiting birders. Communities like that definitely serve to make the experience one of cooperation and respect for both the bird and the host. To my knowledge, there were no banding attempts. But I do agree with the protocol you adopted here, with conservation and consideration at the forefront. Your respect for the birds continuous to impress. Good luck in all your winter birding and can't wait for your next video!

[DustyHoney]

In California we see hummingbirds year round, and when I lived near the coast I would get loads of them at my feeder. Hummingbirds are a year round site here. It was super cool to see all the migratory species. We had rufous hummingbirds visit us many times.

[headtrauma_]

Great video again Doug. Loving the recent uploads

[marksak]

I had a Rufous Hummingbird in my yard in Michigan a few years ago. We also had it banded and definitively ID’d in a few days and then I just had people message me on Facebook to let me know when they wanted to come. It worked well and everyone (save for the very last person who came in November) was able to see it. If another one ever comes I will definitely get a guestbook for people to sign lol. It was a fun experience and everyone was great about it!

[BlazeBirding]

Love this. As a birder, I don't feel like I'm entitled to information about a rare bird. If you're upset about not being able to access a bird, you're missing the point. It's supposed to be a relaxing hobby. I don't think there should be much effort made to placate the people who get upset about this, there will always be something else to complain about. There are plenty of rare birds out there.

[BluegillJames]

Your videos are so amazing! Only problem is that you dont have more for me to watch!

[DustyHoney]

I always keep my feeder up even if it’s empty. The birds still come and check it out, and when I do refill it they’ll come back. I also have many plants with flowers that attract the birds, a woodpile that they collect spiderwebs from, and promote insect life like crane flies. These help to keep the birds around even when I’m not feeding them.

[cooperolm]

I'm from Ontario and was shocked to sea Anna's hummingbirds in January on Vancouver island, I was initially sure it must be lost and destined to starve. They're tougher little things than we give them credit for!

[jimgsewell]

I’m in Northeastern Oregon and I had an Anna’s hummingbird stay in my yard over the 22-23 winter. I’m not certain if it was a female or an immature male, but I have pictures of it taken in December and January. I have not seen them over-winter here since then.

[ChrisOrtea]

If the homeowner was okay with anyone coming who wanted to see it initially and 9 showed up on that second day, I don't see why you wouldn't allow others the same opportunity. You can still tell them no one is allowed on the day the bander will be there. I don't blame anyone who was upset only a privileged few were given initial access when the homeowner had no objections to more visitors. It didn't end up mattering for most or possibly even all, but just on principle I disagree with that decision. I don't have all the details about who would have wanted to see the bird or what their reasons were, but neither do gate keepers, which is part of the problem. The assumption was made that someone doing a big year (who I would guess probably doesn't even need that bird for their life state list) is more deserving of a chance to chase than, say, a relatively unknown birder with limited opportunities to travel for whom the bird is a world lifer or countless other unknowable hypotheticals. That's the kind of assumption that gives some people, especially newer birders, a sense that birding is an exclusionary hobby. I'd rather slightly jeopardize the bander's chances than risk giving that impression.

[enixxe]

As a fairly private person, I'd honestly have to think twice about reporting an especially rare bird on my property at all (or at least within the 7 day RBA window on eBird) simply because I don't want the headache of herding cats or playing host. The only way I'd even consider making such a bird at my residence public knowledge and publicly available is if there was someone else I could rely on to do that work for me and manage the flow of people. In any other case, I'd always make a point of posting it as quickly as possible once I'm sure I've got the ID right (or at least correct enough to be certain the bird is rare, whatever it is) because I want to make sure everyone else who wants to gets a chance to look for it themselves.

[mister-bland]

Personally, I'd say the "highest gate" should have been in place until banding was completed. Not just for fairness, but to prevent people from getting in the way, even those related to the reporter, banders, etc.. If science or research is mission critical, then I think gatekeeping is of high priority. For the home owner, I'd not be surprised if they told those close to them. However, I think there's is more of an obligation to keep ones' lips sealed for those involved with banding, or who are representative in some way of bird-related organizations. But all's well that ends well...this time. ;)

[BookwormSkates]

“It is fairly dramatic to see such a shift in wintering areas” well I think we can expect a lot more range shifting in coming decades thanks to climate change.