04-22-2024, 03:19 PM
Hummingbird season is upon us!
We saw our first hummer of the season last Wednesday, April 17, at 7:15 a.m. It was a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird visiting our feeder. It was windy and cold and he left soon after. I don't think he would have liked the 13" of snow that fell here on Saturday. They can brave the snow and freezing conditions but they need lots of calories.
No other hummers were detected again until this morning at 7:15, when a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird came to a kitchen window feeder. It could be the same bird but there's no way of telling. He has returned several times today and he could stay for the summer. We do know that during cold, wintry conditions, some early birds will come to check out their territory, then head down-elevation for milder weather and more insects. Soon, many birds will stop in, some stay and others will move on to points farther north.
Feeder tips: Mix 1 part plain table sugar to 4 parts water, nothing else, ever. Make sure the feeder and sugar water are squeaky clean! Use a dish detergent, hot water and a bottle brush or foam mop at every refilling. Clean any crud or mold using a long soak in vinegar, or a 5% chlorine solution for 10 minutes. Scrub and rinse. Refill sugar water every 3-5 days. Refrigerate any leftover sugar water. Sanitize the sugar water container every couple of weeks. Don't leave feeders out for the birds if you wouldn't want to drink it.
Done properly, sugar water feeders benefit the birds. If you feed them, they will come. More feeders = more birds. Sucrose is what they naturally get and digest from flowers. Nectar flowers won't be out for a month but there are plenty of insects available. Be consistent and enjoy these awesome little birds. I've been teaching about birds for 40 years and enjoy sharing.
Here's our bad boy:
We saw our first hummer of the season last Wednesday, April 17, at 7:15 a.m. It was a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird visiting our feeder. It was windy and cold and he left soon after. I don't think he would have liked the 13" of snow that fell here on Saturday. They can brave the snow and freezing conditions but they need lots of calories.
No other hummers were detected again until this morning at 7:15, when a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird came to a kitchen window feeder. It could be the same bird but there's no way of telling. He has returned several times today and he could stay for the summer. We do know that during cold, wintry conditions, some early birds will come to check out their territory, then head down-elevation for milder weather and more insects. Soon, many birds will stop in, some stay and others will move on to points farther north.
Feeder tips: Mix 1 part plain table sugar to 4 parts water, nothing else, ever. Make sure the feeder and sugar water are squeaky clean! Use a dish detergent, hot water and a bottle brush or foam mop at every refilling. Clean any crud or mold using a long soak in vinegar, or a 5% chlorine solution for 10 minutes. Scrub and rinse. Refill sugar water every 3-5 days. Refrigerate any leftover sugar water. Sanitize the sugar water container every couple of weeks. Don't leave feeders out for the birds if you wouldn't want to drink it.
Done properly, sugar water feeders benefit the birds. If you feed them, they will come. More feeders = more birds. Sucrose is what they naturally get and digest from flowers. Nectar flowers won't be out for a month but there are plenty of insects available. Be consistent and enjoy these awesome little birds. I've been teaching about birds for 40 years and enjoy sharing.
Here's our bad boy: