Hummingbirds

[Michelle]

I'm seeing (but mostly hearing) a few migrating males moving through but that should be increasing with migration pulses now through early May.  On bird feeders, yes, technically it's OK to put them out if you can commit to sterilizing them very frequently and hanging them 8-10' high and 8-10' out from any tree, post, or deck due to the bear issue.  Frankly, given the subsidized and very high numbers of crows, jays, and magpies in our locality, I would absolutely skip it. Bird feeders may provide great entertainment, but this time of year in our region, given our local species and incoming migrants, they really are not necessary and can cause more harm than good.  Avian flu is not the only disease out there potentially spread by accumulating large numbers of birds at feeders.  On-the-ground feeding of birds spurs another type of illness that can make birds sick.

Songbirds like hummingbirds will be fine at your hummingbird feeders, but again, these need to be sterilized weekly and refreshed frequently.  Keep 2 on hand and simply swap out one needing cleaning for the backup feeder.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Wildli...luenza.pdf

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Viewin...-Sheet.pdf