https://www.birdobserver.org/Issues/2026/August-2026https://www.birdobserver.org/Issues/2026/August-2026/field-notes-new-englands-first-limpkinField NotesSat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:11 GMT

<p class="caption"><img alt="Limpkin. Photograph by the author." src="/Portals/0/Assets/bo54-4/limpkin_2.png?ver=5aDCFaFbj8AK-chv896mEg%3d%3d" /><br /> Limpkin. Photograph by the author.</p> <p>In the last several years, Limpkin (<em>Aramus guarauna</em>) records have dramatically increased throughout the eastern United States. A major pulse of more northerly records in the summer of 2022 was perhaps the first obvious push, and birders affectionately titled the phenomenon “hot Limpkin summer.” Despite the name, extralimital Limpkin records continued into the fall and winter, and an even larger push occurred in summer of 2023. Many have suggested that this expansion of Limpkins is due to an increase in invasive apple snails, a food source, throughout their range. Mutchler, Nemecek, and Robbins (2025) suggest that drought conditions in their breeding range may have had an effect on extralimital Limpkin records. Several environmental factors are likely at play.</p>

To view the rest of the article you'll need to subscribe. Bird Observer publishes original articles on birding locations, on avian populations and natural history, on regional rarities, field notes, field records, photographs, and art work. https://www.birdobserver.org/Issues/2026/August-2026/field-notes-hummingbirds-and-downy-woodpeckers-share-a-feederField NotesSat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:10 GMT

<p class="caption"><img alt="Ruby-throated Hummingbird. All photographs by the author." src="/Portals/0/Assets/bo54-4/hum_1.png?ver=dBg1TNLNiJiT5dfVB3lKKA%3d%3d" /><br /> Ruby-throated Hummingbird. All photographs by the author.</p> <p>Autumn through mid-April, I keep feeders with sunflower seeds and suet cakes next to my back deck. I remove them around April 15 and give the resident birds a couple of weeks to realize the food is gone and stop sitting on top of the pole. Most years, I bring out the hummingbird feeder on May 1, and within 12 hours it usually attracts a pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. In 2026, I was away until May 17 and did not put out the feeder until the morning of May 18. By 5:00 pm, a pair of hummingbirds was feeding.</p>

To view the rest of the article you'll need to subscribe. Bird Observer publishes original articles on birding locations, on avian populations and natural history, on regional rarities, field notes, field records, photographs, and art work.