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Hummingbirds?!

BCNZ · 214 · 10980

us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #180 on: July 05, 2022, 07:16:31 PM
Cleaning up after a nasty hail storm this morning.

Found a small female Calliope hummingbird, dead. No idea why. Perhaps he got caught out in the hail?

Made me really sad.

While I'm typing, another Calliope is at the feeder. Life goes on.


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #181 on: July 05, 2022, 07:45:49 PM
That is sad, life does go on!
Hummers are fragile birds, yet as resilient as any of god’s creatures. 

If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #182 on: July 05, 2022, 09:50:02 PM
 :cheers:


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #183 on: July 06, 2022, 06:14:26 AM
Poor thing.  Mine are very active and taking baths in the little bird bath I set up.  Its been hot so I dont blame them.  I've also watched them catching gnats which is really cool.  I'm not seeing them actually catch them but I know thats what they are doing  ;)
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #184 on: September 17, 2022, 11:29:57 PM
Washed my feeder for the last time this season.

Haven't seen the hummingbirds for about 5 or 6 days now. Guess they are southbound again....  :D


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #185 on: September 18, 2022, 12:10:07 AM
Sorry to learn that but of news from your side of the mountain. 

Here, east of the Mississippi, still having visitors😉

Suspect, they will be dwindling in numbers, it is yet warm, today in mid 80s F, and it is possible my residents have headed south and those visiting are migrating from further north.

A Tidbbit I learned several years ago, when visiting Ohio and and area near Kelly’s Island which is populated with several vineyards, that they would start harvesting the grapes when the hummers made the migration from Canada and stop for rest and nourishment at the farms on the islands and areas along the Lake Erie coast.

I have always found them very predictable visitors to indicate the season changes.

Arriving in May about the fifth to the twelve and departing in September after the fifthteenth.  With last siting around the end of the month before the feeders are pulled.
I have one last batch of food in the fridge. !!!
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #186 on: September 18, 2022, 04:22:06 PM
Very interesting.  Here in Southern California with mild winters I have Hummingbirds year round.  I'm listening to them chirping now. 

I've been grateful to have them nesting in my tree and my neighbors for a few years now. 

I have a pair who patrol the area near the feeder.  We watched them sitting in the tree last night. 

The bird bath I set up also is used by them.  Its been great fun to provide nectar for them.  I have altered my whole garden as a result.  Planting sources of nectar for them other than the sugar water. 

 
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline dimledger

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #187 on: September 18, 2022, 04:51:45 PM
The ones around here all seem to have headed south for their winter vacation.

There was one hanging around our feeders last week, but the dog scared it off and I haven't seen any more since.



us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #188 on: September 18, 2022, 05:16:53 PM
What part of the country are you located dimledger?

I am in NE Indiana, Nix is Western Montana, and Aloha is in Southern California.
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #189 on: September 18, 2022, 08:33:27 PM
I have one last batch of food in the fridge. !!!


I still have some nectar prepared, just in case, but the feeder has been pulled in. Our lows are in the 45ºF range now. Chance of frost early next week.   :o


us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #190 on: September 18, 2022, 08:34:35 PM
Very interesting.  Here in Southern California with mild winters I have Hummingbirds year round. 




us Offline dimledger

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #191 on: September 18, 2022, 09:24:57 PM
What part of the country are you located dimledger?

Central Ohio.


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #192 on: September 19, 2022, 05:16:00 PM
While out in my backyard where I keep the feeder I swear they chip even louder to let me know the feeder is needing a clean or refill  :D

Because I'm out there daily if only just to sit I like to think they know I mean them no harm.  No they dont sit on my shoulder ( haha ) but I can be fairly close to the feeder and they'll feed.  I do need to move slowly.   I've even stopped to watch without them flying off. 

I'm sure its me wanting it to be true but its fun thinking it is. 

 
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #193 on: September 19, 2022, 05:31:09 PM
^ yes, they are smart!

One spring I had not put the feeders out yet. The syrup was on the stove cooling.

It was before Mothers Day, snd two were buzzing our patio door and outside the kitchen window.  Indicating, “hey we are here, and we want food!”

In 2020, and even before wife and I spent a lot of time on the patio, flowers on each corner, feeders not far, tulip vines on fence, the hummers always flying by us. I held a small tube with syrup for at least two hours before one would stop and hover and feed from the tube. Never landed.

My wife often would fall asleep in her chair, many times a hummer would stop in front of her face about 12 to 15 inches and just stare at her with wings beating a hundred times a second.  Yes, she would suddenly awake waving her arms hollering. I swear those little guys went out to the tree and perched laughing, saying, “we got her again!”
I never could convince her to stay still. Man do I miss her❤️
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #194 on: September 19, 2022, 05:51:50 PM
 :'(

My friend, that is such a fun memory.  I bet those birds got a real kick out of doing that to her.   

   
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #195 on: September 20, 2022, 12:38:19 AM
A couple of years ago a hummingbird showed up before I had the feeders out. He was buzzing up and down at the exact spot where the feeder should have been hanging.

Since then I've been sure to get the feeder out before they arrive!  :rofl:


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #196 on: December 21, 2022, 04:41:50 PM
Birds are active and chirping for me to fill the feeder.  Caught one sipping nectar. 

* IMG_7176.jpg (Filesize: 20.49 KB)
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #197 on: December 21, 2022, 04:44:31 PM
You have been chosen!

A great responsibility to care for those tiny feather angels.
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #198 on: December 21, 2022, 05:00:33 PM
 :hatsoff:

Whats funny is they buzz Catherine when she gets near the feeder.  They hover over me but never buzz me  :D.  They certainly let me know when they need a refill tho. 
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline Nix

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #199 on: December 22, 2022, 07:41:03 PM
We won't see the little guys again until April.  :-\


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #200 on: May 16, 2023, 04:16:15 PM
Tis the season…

Aloha I know gets to enjoy these little angels year around, others enjoy seasonally.

Last week, May 8, feeders cleaned, filled and hung.    No birds observed, yet the last few years always arrive about Mother’s Day.

A friend that lives about 50 miles west indicated he had visitors earlier that week.

My first observed visitor stop TODAY :woohoo:

To slow to capture a picture :oops:

I can now start enjoying their antics this new season.

So far, my Bluebirds are nesting and feasting in back yard, Cardinals regularly making visits, Wood peckers (4 varieties) eating suet, Blue Jays stealing peanut, and for the first time a Cedar WaxWing observed on the Peanut feeder too! Plus the Ruby Throated Hummer!
   not my picture😉
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #201 on: May 16, 2023, 04:33:47 PM
 :woohoo:

Yes I get them year round.  With the wonderful rain we received my feeder is listed ( monitored ) but not so much sipping.  I'm sure they have more than their share of nectar in the city to enjoy.  My flowers are starting to bloom which will be great for the Monarchs that sit in my apple tree sunning. 

I put up a bird feeder with nuts and such which was visited till the crows located it.  I'll move it under cover which will hopefully thwart the crows. 


Esse Quam Videri


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #202 on: August 25, 2023, 05:10:39 PM
Still active. 

* IMG_9060.jpg (Filesize: 164.61 KB)
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #203 on: August 25, 2023, 07:07:56 PM
My area Hummers have been visiting often as well.  I have had to fill the feeders about every 5 days. I am curious if migration may be earlier this fall🤔
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #204 on: February 01, 2024, 07:35:16 PM
Humming birds still very active in my yard.  I've got a new feeder.  This one is very fitting and while it doesn't have a perch they don't seem to mind one bit. 

* IMG_9904.jpg (Filesize: 118.88 KB)
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #205 on: February 01, 2024, 08:09:25 PM
Do you yet have the resident pair that have stayed year around?

The feeder looks like a pineapple, holds a quart or more of syrup?
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #206 on: February 01, 2024, 09:26:43 PM
From what I read Hummingbirds don't mate for life?  I have several nests in my trees tho I am not certain they've been reused?  I added a second feeder about 20-30 feet away from the first.  This seems to be helpful since Hummingbirds aren't good at sharing.  This third feeder is a pineapple  :D.  Its glass which can likely hold a quart tho I don't fill it more than a third.  I've put it under a tree on my patio about 10-15 feet away from the closest feeder.  I basically have a triangle of feeders.  I hope to attract more Hummingbirds.  I've seen as many as 6 flying about.  I've had two on one feeder so I figured they are a pair but who knows.     
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #207 on: February 01, 2024, 10:01:28 PM
In my yard, I tried three, each at least 25 ft or more from the others.  But, the birds would only eat at the two, one from a tree and the other by my window near the house. The third, hanging from a fence, smothered in trumpet vines flowers nope. The flowers yes, but never the feeder.
Fence is no gone, wind storm, and so are the Trumpet vines, to invasive.

I have never had two at a feeder.  I have them perch in a tree and wait their turn.   Occasionally one will sit on the eavestrough  above the window  feeder.

Have no idea where mine nest! 
They always begin arriving about Mother’s Day, 2nd Sunday of  May a day or two at the earliest, and the last ones are observed just about September 20th with a straggler maybe seen Oct first week. I then pull feeders before frost temperatures.
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #208 on: February 01, 2024, 10:11:49 PM
I have a big avocado tree at the back fence.  I hear them chirping away.  When I had one feeder they'd chase each other away.  I got the second feeder to hopefully limit the chasing.  It kinda works.  I've seen a bird at each feeder which is nice.  When I saw the two birds feeding at one feeder I was kinda surprised. 

I only noticed the nest because it was in the tree that is on my side yard.  It was low enough to notice.  The other nest is in the avocado tree at the back fence.  I've seen one other nest in that same avocado tree on the opposite end. 

I have a apple tree also in the yard that is a perch for the birds as well.  They seem to love to eat the gnats that congregate around my composter.  I have some natural nectar they enjoy in spring/summer and I'm already planning more options for them. 
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Hummingbirds?!
Reply #209 on: February 01, 2024, 10:38:08 PM
That sounds like a SAFE HAVEN and PARADISE for the little guys.
👍👍👍 :cheers:
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


 

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