Finally! At a Feeder

At last!  I have proof that the hummingbirds are making visits to my nectar feeders.  For whatever reasons I have had terrible luck observing one dining at a feeder although I have seen the birds in our wildflower garden.  Bird Cam picked up this and a few other images from the past week.  As usual, the images are apparently all of females.  That is, every summer I frequently observe females and males hardly ever.  And the primary female is highly aggressive!  So mission accomplished: it is definitely worth keeping the nectar feeders going.  And I can count on some weeks yet of hummer activity.

Continued Interesting Behavior

For yet another year our smaller Passerines have exhibited hilarious behavior at the various nectar feeders.  That is, titmice and chickadees, especially, cling to the hanger post, invert themselves, and drink from the ant moat.  Just as if they have their own private water hole.  They do seem to prefer this to the bird bath and picked it up promptly with the return of the nectar feeders in April.  I wonder how far this behavior has spread.  When it started here a few years ago it seemed every bird adopted the stance!  So we have some proof there are very clever birds out there, and they can learn new behaviors.

New Hummer Stylin'!

Yes, friends, the hummingbird nectar feeders are all in place for a new season, and in time for that traditional April 1st opening movement.  Joining the fleet this year is a new design, found at a local Wild Bird Unlimited.  It's smaller (Lord knows less nectar is really needed) and has a perch rail for the little devils.  I have no idea if that will be well received but the other advantages make it worth the go.  As always, I prefer the easy clean models, and this one is of that ilk.  It is now time to watch for any actual hummer activity.  We can hope!

Curious Chickadee Behavior Continues

It seems past years' behavior by the Carolina Chickadees (and others) at the nectar feeder continues unabated.  Some years ago the chickadees came to the idea that the hummingbird nectar feeder's ant moat was a nifty place to catch a drink.  And they taught, by example, the others.  Now I see more chickadees than hummers there!  Quite a piece of entertaining behavior.  And harmless.  One just never knows if they caught the idea elsewhere and if it is spreading!

Not A Rufous Winter

This lonely little nectar feeder has been on duty since the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds left us a quarter of a year ago.  Yes indeed, since the Autumnal equinox.  And as we slide to a solstice, the purpose of the feeder has not been fulfilled.  For there are no Rufous Hummingbirds here.  This species is our only real winter hummingbird species...at least in modern times.  They have been seen in the county and for three winters I have made a game effort to invite them here.  But the dice have come up snake eyes each time.   I've decided that I'll give it one more week and then haul the thing down.  Four months should be adequate.  Too bad.  But there is always next year!

Quite the Hangout, Just No Hummers

The main station nectar feeder has in recent years been a fine place to find birds.  Only, they don't seem to be Ruby Throated Hummingbirds.  Instead a succession of small passerines, including Carolina Chickadee, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, and Brown Headed Nuthatch use the feeder.  Predominantly these birds use the ant moat as a water hole.  But the wrens also hunt insects that are drawn to the sugar water.  What a wonderful service I have offered! Only, for a different clientele than expected!

The Feeder Owner is In

At last! The real hummingbird season is upon us.  And what does this mean, you ask?  Haven't you already reported hummingbird contacts in April?  Indeed I did, but of "interlopers": males be they residents or transients.  Every summer our nectar feeders are aggressively defended by one or more female birds, whom I call the "owners".  The vast bulk of my BirdCam photos show these female hummingbirds.  And I now expect once I see one of them that the true hummingbird season has arrived.  That came in the form of a visit to our western nectar feeder last evening.  Hence I am hoping for more photo chances, and a delightful season of hummer entertainment!