Last December, i saw a hummer, but not often. I refilled my feeders and though I did not see the hummer much, the food sure was going away. Well, now I have three of them, for sure eating all during the day. I guess it must be time. OBOY OBOY OBOY!
Hummers are here!
Hi, I just posted: When does hummingbird show up on the coastal states. I never see them before April. Enjoy the little jewels!
I think it would be fun to post when each of us see our first hummer. I am sure watching for one.
Teresa in KY
The Anna's hummers never leave here but the others have made their appearance now. Their little green and black and red heads are a constant at my feeders now. It sounds like a light saber battle going on out there. Lol.
Oh, I sure wish that I could see all the different species that the west coast has.
There was a female already looking "heavy" so I guess I had best get my supply of sterilized down out for them. They have to collect their own spider webs! Bold hummers will try to get a piece of blond hair now and again but it is not good for the nest. I am not sure it is flattering that they think I am a hay stack.
Where do you buy the down? At Hobby Lobby? We have put our short yarn pieces for larger birds.
Teresa
I saw a ruby throat in my Gloxinia sylvestris last week. First of the year. The salvias are blooming, too, so I am expecting more...
I got my feathers at a quilting supply store but a hobby store should carry them. Make sure there are no dyes to harm birds and eggs.
Guys you are so lucky to live in the warmer climates. Birds and blooms arrive the earliest and stay the lasted. I have zone envy. It doesn't help that it is lightly snowing this morning.
Teresa in KY
Last year they came late, and were sparse in comparison to the year before. Maybe this will be a banner hummer year. Sure hope so.
Good for you Roz. Hope you are covered up with hummers.
I posted this on another thread but it may be of interest here, too.
Here are some links that may be of interest about hummingbirds:
2004 Reported Hummingbird arrivals
http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
So many kinds of Hummers!
http://www.trochilids.com/winter.html
Hummingbird Banding:
http://www.rubythroat.org/RTHUBandingMain.html
Bird Web Cams
http://www.jamesreserve.edu/webcams.lasso
Laws:
http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/treatlaw.html
Information taken (mostly) from:
http://www.trochilids.com/links.html#Arrival
NOTE: U.S. Federal laws prohibit the "take" (which includes harrasing, killing, or even handling) of any non-game, native, wild bird, either dead or alive, or any part of such a bird, including feathers, bones, eggs, and nests, unless you have a bird banding permit from the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory, or salvage permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, or are working directly under the supervision of someone with such a license.
All the hummingbird banders mentioned on the web site meet these requirements and are devoted to the protection of the birds they study.
Many hummingbird banders, particularly those in the eastern USA, are VERY interested in documenting wintering hummingbirds -- and will drive for hours and hours one-way to do so. Nearly every eastern state is covered by a licensed bander, so just because you don't see a dot near your hometown on the map, don't think your bird isn't worthy of reporting for documentation!
This message was edited Mar 9, 2004 12:26 PM
Thanks, Darius
That is a bunch of good links to read. I loved the pictures too.
It sure is a good source of info. Thanks.
Great link darius. So... What happens to the birds when they harass me? My king hummer thinks nothing of taking a dive through my hair. He is going to get caught one day and i will have the last laugh at him. He must share the patio.
I've never had one divebomb me but I did have one get "in my face" trying to see who that was that looked like him in my glasses.. LOL I was stunned. I just said "hi" and he just kept backing up and moving forward. This went on for about 2 min. Then later that summer I was drinking hot tea and he landed on my teacup and took a sip.. I couldn't stop laughing. I thought, what nerve.. He must be REALLY trustworthy. My chins are back this year and wonder if he'll be the same guy.. Hope so..
Hilary
for Frogsrus,
very interesting about the down for the hummers.
where do you put the down so the hummers will find it.
I put mine in one of the cages that you put suet in except I have it nailed to a board so that it is stable. They can grab it from there. Just stick it in the garden. They will find it.
I saw the first hummer of the season this morning! I also saw a swallowtail butterfly...I'm so glad spring is finally here :)
I got my first two about a week and a half/two weeks ago! :)
I saw my first one yesterday, but I think hes been around for about a week at the most. I say that because I noticed the feeder getting lower really fast all of a sudden and yesterday late afternoon DS and me were standing in the living room and TADA there he was. It is so cool when I can drag my kids into something that I enjoy and they get hooked just as hard as I did.
I am patiently waiting. I just put a hummingbird/butterfly garden in the backyard, and 80% of the plants are in bloom; just waiting on the buddleia and liatris. I can't wait to see the hummers come back. I may end up having to coax them a little bit with a feeder, but I am waiting to buy a really nice one for the garden. I put a lot of work into it, and don't want to put a little plastic thing on this huge shepherds hook. I have plenty of red blooms to attract, so I guess the color of the feeder doesn't matter -- does it?
Dave
Here in East TX I saw first hummer April 9, 2004, Ruby throat. Now count is up to 6. I live in zone 8.
I'm in zone 5 and think I'll wait til this weekend. We should be past our last real cold spell. Spring bulbs are up and trees are flowering so it might be right. Does someone really know for low/mid Michigan. Howell
Dalenoel,
There has been hummer sightings in Oakland County in Novi.
They have also been seen in Warren. None here yet. May 8th last year was the first sighting for me. Get your feeder out if you have one cause they are here.
This is a link to Rubythroat migration this yr. They are already into Canada. Check it out. http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
I saw my first hummer here April 28th......They are usually here by May 1 on any year.......I had my feeder up waiting on them.....
Thanks Sandy, it goes up today even though only 55 degrees.
Dalenoel,
Saw my first hummer of the season today. It was a male followed by a female about a 1 hr. later. First time I ever saw one sipping on a bleeding heart. It also used my feeder. Got yours out yet?
Made the mixture this morning and put it out at about 10 am. Was leaning over the porch rail, SE, and had one buzz my head, the feeder was just over my head, and then went to the butterfly bush, back to the feeder, never used it, then around the house.
I never saw it again and it looked rather dark, purplish color. Can't be sure as it was movin.
Glad I got it up and I'll try to pay better attention next time. I'm going to be sure to put new solution up every 4-5 days.
Thanks for the note that they were here. We just moved in and have more flowers than I know what to do with. I'm still learning my new yard. It is really fun.
Dalenoel,
To be on the safe side, when the weather gets warmer I change my feeders ever other day. You would be surprised how fast mold can grow in them. I find it is much easier to do this, than have to take them down and try and scrub the mold out. Also our little friends are sure of a fresh meal. Good luck in your new place.
I dont have any yet! :-((
Someday......I shall steal all your hummers! muhaha
Silly question, but I didn't take time to read the links yet: I have a feeder--skinny glass tube with rubber stop with hole in it (like a florist tube) and hung it on the other side of the cast iron hanger that holds the finch food. All I am catching is ants!! Within moments, the tiniest little ants walk up the pole, down the hanger and commit suicide in the sugar water. How/where should I hang it?
knees, they make a cup that hangs between the feeder and the hanger... it holds water and traps the ants from going to the feeder. Available in bird stores everywhere... and probably even Lowe's and HD.
Pooh, cannot edit my post... reached my limit for the day!
I meant to add that the hummer feeders probably are too close to the finch feeders. I keep mine at least 20 feet apart from finch and/or perching bird feeders.
both good advice. Thanks. I'm new at this. Had my first hummer feeder last year; hanging from fishing line over a tree trunk. Maybe I'll do that again. Ants on a trapez LOL