Migration, Rain, and Lovebugs

Plecia nearctica, more commonly known as the Lovebug, seems to be everywhere these days. Wherever you look, there are two lovebugs stuck together floating all over the place, and dining on nectar in our garden. It seems that hummingbirds, lovebugs, and cooler temps go hand in hand. Lovebugs are a type of march fly. Adults feed on nectar and larvae on rotting plants. They are most commonly seen stuck to their mate in the act of copulation. They pose no harm to humans but can be an awful mess on your car if not cleaned up right away. This is due to acidic levels in their bodies that increase over time and in the past, could damage car paint. Advances in paint have helped with this, and now there is more of a risk of clogging ventilation systems and lower visibility through smeared windshields. Luckily for us, they are only floating around together for a short period of time. They only live a few days once they become adults.

In addition to the lovebugs hanging around, we have lots of hummers. We estimate about 100 or so at our 16 feeders that we refill multiple times each day. We are seeing mostly Ruby-throated, but have had Black-chinned and Rufous. These tiny migrants are gearing up for a most treacherous journey across the gulf. It was fun watching them enjoy a recent rain storm that brought cooler temps and much needed baths for many.

According to BirdCast, the number of migrants through our area is starting to reach a high point. Just last night, over 5 million migrants passed through Waller County. You can check the status of your county by heading over to BirdCast on your favorite device.

Want even more hummer action? Join us at Kleb Woods Nature Preserve this Saturday, starting at 9 AM, for the annual Hummingbird Festival. We will be there with some of the education raptors, so look for our booth under the big tent and stop by to say "hello".

Plecia nearctica

Waller County the night of September 7

Fun in the rain

A brief shower