Springville, Tenn.–Fierce storms interrupted the annual Hummingbird Banding event at the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge in Springville Saturday, but officials said it was still a huge success. After the storms blew through, 310 people came to watch Master Bander Cyndi Routledge, Mitz Bailey and their crew process a total of 109 Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Ranger Joan Howe said five of the birds captured were what we call”recaptures”, which means they were banded in a previous years’ event. One of these birds was found to be at least 5 years old, a ripe old age for a hummingbird. In photo, Mitz Bailey holds a hummingbird in his hand for visitors to see. (Shannon McFarlin photo).