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The Kern River Valley - "Hummingbird
Viewing Capital of California"
Feeders are up
from March through mid-October
VISIT THE PRESERVE FROM DAWN TO
DUSK
Although the festival is over for this year, the
hummingbirds continue at the feeders in great numbers until
mid-September. The hummingbirds are easily viewed by young and old right
near our picnic tables in KRP's headquarters area. Sit back and relax
while observing the birds. Remember to be polite to others visiting for
the same purpose. Please do not go inside the hummingbird garden area, remove feeders for any reason and please keep children under
control. Thank you.
Photographers please
contact us for special
instructions.
Sponsored by:
Audubon California, Friends of the Kern River Preserve, United States Postal Service.
2007 Recap and Photo Gallery
2008 Photo Gallery
Hummingbird numbers increase steadily at the Kern River
Preserve hummingbird feeders from June until
late-August. Two indicators: 1. consumption of sugar water
solution goes up
2. young of the year have fledged and start coming to the feeders. Black-chinned
Hummingbird numbers decline throughout August. Allen's and Rufous numbers peak
the third week of August.
Six
hummingbird species are possible at the Kern River Preserve feeders in July,
August, & early September with over one thousand hummingbirds present
some days: Black-chinned (numbers decrease from July through early September), Anna's, Costa's (low
numbers), Calliope (rarely), Rufous (peak numbers in late August & early
September), and Allen's (virtually impossible to
separate from Rufous, even adult males, except during banding sessions). Costa's and Calliope are more numerous at feeders in the desert (Costa's) and montane
(Calliope) regions of the Kern River Valley watershed. Allen's pass through in
small numbers the latter third of June through the middle of August. The Kern River Valley
has less than five records each of Broad-billed and Broad-tailed
Hummingbirds.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY INFORMATION
Weather: Weather in the Kern River Valley in
mid August is usually very hot (sunny,
60–105 degrees F
daytime temperature range), but it can be
variable. For your comfort, we suggest bringing water, snacks, a hat,
sun screen, insect repellent, and sturdy shoes. There
are no food vendors at the preserve so participants should
bring lunch and drinks for the day.
Fees/Registration - This event is free although we
suggest a $10.00 donation
per adult to help defray the cost of feeding all of
the birds at the Kern River Preserve.
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