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Hi there, I spent this sunny afternoon sitting in my backyard. One of the delights of this summer has been seeing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in my garden, where they visit the Monarda (Bee Balm). This is the first year I have seen them here in central Halifax, and one of my neighbours, who always has a lovely flower-filled garden, has also remarked on seeing hummers for the first time. Others have commented on this list that hummers are particularly abundant this year, so perhaps they are more widespread as well. A family of Black-capped Chickadees are visiting regularly; I had some shelled sunflower seeds which I began to put out for them, so they are now quite spoiled. At least one of the brood is still doing the wing-quivering "Feed Me" routine, so they must be pretty young. A week ago (4th August) I watched a Song Sparrow as it gathered fine grasses from the lawn. It would fly off with a whiskery-looking beakfull, and disappear into the dense tangle of grape vines over the backyard gate, where I assume a nest was receiving the finishing touches. However, today two species on the move were signs of the advancing season. A female or immature American Redstart was flitting about in the Tartarian Honeysuckle bush, the first I have seen in my yard this year. A large flock of Common Grackles (60+) flew over late in the evening. I haven't seen many grackles in my neighbourhood since the young ones fledged in June. Yesterday I saw a particularly richly-coloured Alfalfa butterfly in my yard. It was the colour of egg yolks, or more like the Zucchini blossoms nearby. Cheers, Patricia L. Chalmers Halifax
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