By Michell De Leon Tyler
It’s late February, and Anna is still with me in Creston, Montana. Despite my concerns regarding recent storms, Anna was undeterred by the windblown snow and single digit temperatures. She continues to enjoy her backyard warming area and warm nectar in the mornings. By 9am, she is often perched on her favorite mountain maple branches, spending her days with chickadees, nuthatches, and juncos. I think she enjoys their company. The backyard has become quite the social hub for her!
As the days lengthen, she has become busier than ever, exploring her surroundings more. Recently, she began visiting my front yard after months of limiting herself to the backyard. To encourage her expanding range, I added a new feeder in front of the house, which she now visits regularly in addition to her backyard bower. Having options may serve her well when competing hummingbirds return in the spring and challenge her access to feeders.
Will Anna stay through the summer? Only she knows. If she does, will other Anna’s Hummingbirds join her? We will have to wait and see. For now, I am gratified to see her continuing to thrive.
You can keep current with her activities by following Flathead Audubon on Facebook and Instagram.