Hummingbird Migration ends

Well this years migration is over. With the exception of the occasional straggler, which is why I leave at least one feeder up until around December. Also as a reminder don't forget to change out the feeder with fresh nectar at least every other week if you are going to leave it up. This year turned out to be a more spread out migration. So instead of getting 30+ birds in a short period of time as I have in the past I only had 15 or so birds at any one time but the migration time lasted nearly a month long. Which is the longest period of time that many birds have stuck around during the migration to try and stake a claim to a feeder and try to defend it. Yes I said try to defend it. Earlier in the summer I always have a few birds that come by and stake a claim on one of my feeders and build a home close by in the neighboring woods. They will defend their feeder with a vengeance all summer, but during migration there are just too many birds and they are just not able to keep all of them from feeding from their feeder. So eventually they will relent slightly and allow some birds to drink from their feeder. It is really interesting to see them choose some birds as friends and allow them to drink but chase others away. I say friends because that's as close a word I can come up with to kind of describe what happens during migration. Really I think it is just an acceptance out of the realization that any one bird would just wear themselves out trying to keep all other birds off of their feeder.  

Hummingbird Nectar Last Chance

Only a couple of weeks away from migration time. This will be your last chance to stock up on nectar before they show up and start draining your feeders at an accelerated rate. When this happens there will be a rush of people to the stores and they will wipe out the stock on store shelves, it happens every year. For some reason stores don't have anybody knowledgeable about how migration works. The shelves are over flowing all summer long then they are empty during migration, when you really need a TON of nectar they DON'T have it. By the time they restock the migration is over. So please head my warning and stock up NOW, or you will regret it. The simplest way is to click this link and order direct. That way you will receive it in time for migration.

 

Hummingbird Nectar

Well the season is in full swing. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon I have 6 to 10 birds fighting over the 3 feeders I have out for them. During the heat of the day there is still the occasional bird that stops by for a drink, but because of the heat most of the action happens in the cool mornings and evenings. I have tried several types and brand names of nectar and the one that I have found that attracts the most birds is Perky-Pet instant nectar . The more you buy the cheaper it is. Trust me you might as well order several boxes or you regret it toward the end of August cause you will go through several boxes as they drink huge amounts to fatten up for the long flight back south for the winter. With 3 feeders I typically go through nearly 3 boxes in 2 weeks. That is mixing 1 pack into 24 ounces of water in a blender bottle I got at GNC. It's the bottles they use to mix the vitamin powders they sell. It works great and gives the perfect ratio mix that I have found the birds love. True the mixture I use is a little richer than the instructions on the box. That's why my feeders are loaded during migration as compared to the neighbors feeders. That's my little secret tip to have more birds than your neighbors, so ssshhhh don't tell.

Hummingbirds Return

It seemed like they were a little slow at returning this year. But after all the tornado's we had last year at the end of April who could blame them. We had 4 tornado's go through my county in 1 day, one of which was just a few miles south of here that caused us to be without power for 2 days. There were many towns affected and hundreds of people lost everything.
Anyway, now is the time to get your feeders out if you have not done so already. Also be sure to keep the nectar fresh by changing it out at least every other week. Also check them daily to make sure no ants have found your feeder.

Keeping ant's off your feeder.

Ant's are determined and resourceful little pests. If you're looking for a magical easy fix? Well I am sorry to say that there isn't one. There are many ways to deter them, some mentioned here on my site. Many more on the internet. All of the methods are either tedious or slightly messy. Most all the methods you find will work effectively. All I can say is try a couple and see which one you can be happy with. No matter which method you choose, you need to check your feeder daily to make sure they haven't found a way around your road block. Cause like I said they are very resourceful.

Hummingbird Feeder time is NOW.

It's that time once again to get those feeders out. This time of year it is best to only fill them half way in order to save on nectar because you will only see a few this time of year and you want to keep it fresh by changing it out every week or so. Remember, they like fresh food as much as we do. So please change it out  regularly to keep it fresh.
The more often you change the nectar out to keep it fresh, the larger number of birds you will attract on a regular basis.