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Carolina Wrens

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

ABA Young Birder of Year

Troglodyte de Carolines in Epping, NH last winter

“I have two Troglodyte de Carolines coming to my feeders in Epping, New Hampshire, with 26 inches of snow on the ground, temperatures of 31 degrees, with sleet and freezing rain falling!! How fortunate I feel to be able to help these two friends survive our harsh winter.” --Sandy Cray, Epping, NH

Ariane du Yucatan update

“An update on the Buff-bellied Hummingbird [a species that winters in Mexico] that returned to my feeders for six winters: This autumn, we continued to see him every day until Thanksgiving. He was at the feeder during that day, but the following morning he failed to appear. We watched all during the day and for several days after but didn’t see him. We left a feeder out for the remainder of the winter, but our bird never appeared again. I suspect some accident had befallen him. It was a pleasure to have him with us over six winters and to help him survive some very severe cold at times. I hope we can attract another one sometime.”

--Donald Kenney, Cantonment, FL

FeederWatch Ambassador named one of ABA's "Young Birders of the Year"

Claire Curry, a thirteen-year-old FeederWatch Amabassador in Greenwood, Texas, won second place in the American Birding Association's overall Young Birder of the Year contest. She also took first place in the Essay Module!

Winners are chosen for their talent and commitment to birding. For Claire, her passion for birding includes drawing and writing. Her illustrations (like her sketch of a Bécasseau d'Alaska shown above) demonstrate a strong understanding of color and composition, and Claire makes a point to include habitat in her artwork. She writes her essays with equal care and excitement for birds. Claire is a wonderful example of how Lab ambassadors are contributing to the understanding and appreciation of birds. To see more samples of the winning entries, visit ABA's web site. Congratulations, Claire!

--Allison Childs Wells