Hummingbirds remain here this winter, and up until a couple of days ago, they still had fuchsia and pineapple sage flowers to tap. The sage froze to brown, and the fuchsia has lost its flowers. Of my two feeders, which froze, one is left as the other one burst (over my head and full mind you) as I squeezed it to see how frozen it was. Guess the plastic didn't like the cold.
I'm worried about the little guys. How are the going to get enough to eat to make it through the cold? Or is this nature culling itself, 'cause they should have moved to a warmer place?
Suggestions? Thank you.
Hummingbird survival and the freeze called "arctic blast"
I'm no expert .... but the birds might be a wintering species of hummer. Some hummers can handle the colder weather. Or it might be juvenile birds that haven't put on enough fat to fly south. I remember on another forum, someone added (to the pole) one of those clip-on spot lights to shine on their hummer feeders to keep the nectar from freezing and to provide warmth for the little hummers that perched there while feeding. Is that something that you might be able to do? Just a suggestion.
Edited to add:
Also, you might add more sugar to the water to help them store up more body fat. I know many folks do that to help them to survive.
This message was edited Jan 14, 2007 9:08 PM
Good idea about the light. I think I can rig something, if it's not too late. Same for the sugar upgrade. Thanks!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/684710/
This is a thread I started a few days ago, just about your topic.
Check it out, got a lot of good advice!
Christie
Thanks, Christie! Loved your photos and what a great thread! :-)
4paws - mrs_colla was given a suggestion about her feeders freezing...... just bring them in at night and put them back out in the morning. LOL! Duh! Never would've thought of such a simple solution!
Though the light would also keep the little hummers warm. And I would use that as well. :-)
:-) Thank you.