A few days ago I was talking with a shoe salesperson. We were saying how we missed our hummingbirds. I mentioned that my feeders were still going fast - I assumed it was migrants. She said her neighbor was puzzled by the same thing, and set up a night camera. She has pictures of bats visiting her hummingbird feeders!!! I had no idea! Has anyone else had any glimpses of our nocturnal friends at their hb feeders? p.s. Thanks Gram, for getting me through that senior moment.
Bats have a sweet tooth??
Yes, it is common in some areas:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/feeders.html
http://www.batcon.org/batsmag/v11n2-1.html
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/150134
This is really Cool!!!
http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2006/10/11/tucsons-hummingbird-feeder-bats/
'Howdy' daisycat ..
In Arizona, there are a couply species of bats that are nectar-feeding bats: the lesser long-nosed bat and the Mexican long-tongued bat. With some reports that some the insectivorous cave myotis species visit the hummer feeders ..
I too, have found that the hummer feeder contents, would sometimes (mysteriously) become mighty low over night; some times empty - during the Spring. Although I quickly learned that the Baltimore Orioles were visiting during the early dawn to tank-up. After providing the Orioles the orange halves & grape jelly at their feeding stations, they'd lose interest in the hummer feeders.
There are a few bats that come about our place here, and feed on any bugs about - especially around the security lights at night. At nearby Cave Mountain, there is a bat species (of which the name/species totally escapes me right now) .. that is protected .. that may travel the 8 mile distance (strait as the crow flies), but I've absolutely no idea if they take an interest in such. Would certainly be interesting to know if it's a possibility, however ..
Guess I'll have to do some research and more reading - for now, you've got me most curious! (hee)
- Magpye
Stelco; Thanks so much for sharing. The links are incredible! Magpie, I haven't seen the orioles at my hb feeders - I'd like to. They certainly love the bird bath. I've had up to 5 at the bath and 4 more waiting on a fence for their turn. In the summer evenings we've watched the bats come from the woods to hunt insects. This spring I think I'll put a hb/bat feeder along that path.
How did I miss this thread?? Great links Mark!! Bats at hummingbird feeders, who knew! I would love to see that. I'm going to have to keep an eye out.....next year of course. How cool.