Lucky you! I've left my feeders up other years in hopes of atracting winter hummers with no luck. Here in Raleigh most of the salvias and other flowers just got hit by frost this past week, so I've really been watching for them to come to the feeder. You may want to contact the Hilton Pond center and let them know about your sighting.
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ResearchHummerVagrantMain.html

Yes, Martha, you are lucky! I've never had any other than the ruby throats and they jump ship 'bout mid September. I've always envied the posters in the Southwest who have hoards of various types.

Hosta 2000, Zigzag
Thank you for the suggestion. I called hilton pond. If the HB continues to come Bill plans to come and banned it. He recorded one in Rock Hill SC that returned for 5 years.
Hopefully this will all work out. I will keep you posted.
Martha

My routine has been to put the feeders out a bit early, like in early to mid-March (with red ribbons to attract) and wait them out. I dump a lot of nectar - LOL!

Still only ruby throats from June or so, thru the summer then a feeding frenzy August to mid September. I'm further north, so siting a Rufus would be a real treat!

Martha, what did you mean by " If the HB continues to come Bill plans to come and banned it." Was that a typo, or am I just dense?

I think Martha was referring to Bill coming to band the hummingbirds leg and report the sighting.

Thanks, Dottie - that makes sense! (and in my post above, it should read 'sighting' not 'siting' - my brain is really turning to oatmeal these days!)

Spelling has never been my strong point. Thank you for clearing that up. He was spotted again today.

Martha

I am a little down the road from you towards Greenville and I spotted a hummer about a week ago.
I was so surprised but then having roses blooming until a couple of days ago is unusual, too.
It sure has been an unusual fall.

http://www.hiltonpond.org/ResearchHummerVagrantMain.html

Bill from hilton pond came this am to catch and band the Rufus HB. He stated that pictures taken will be on his sight late.r His address is at the top of this message. Thanks hosta for the information on getting in touch with Bill.
This was such a treat. I believe we get gifts and this was my gift. Bill id him as a male Rufus HB. It is very rare to have in this area. His size seems even smaller when seen up close.
Lucky me!
Martha

How fun!
Can you see the band from a distance?

I see where a Rufus is a western Hummimngbird.
That is rare here!
I have never seen one before. You are lucky!

Wow, that is great! Maybe he's a scout checking out global warming in the Southeast for a potential new stomping ground. It would be neat to have two varieties!

He's beautiful! Boy, it didn't take too long to get him banded. Glad it all worked out. Here's the link with pictures.

http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek091201.html

I just read the story on the Hilton Pond site (as shown above, compliments of hosta200) - what a super story! Martha, you must be so thrilled and what an honor to now be a part of official hummingbird history in the Carolinas! :o)

The Rufus Hummingbird continues to stay and feed here. I am enjoying his visits and glad to see him well and feeding each day. He seems to have taken our extreme weather in stride.

Martha

Ding, ding, ding ! That is so great, Martha! Keep him happy and maybe his gps will point him (or his flock-mates) in my direction someday!

Aww, read the article and that is so sweet!