Hummingbirds-still around?

Mirror Lake's BB · 08-30-2011, 05:00 PM

We are coming up from PA and were delayed by Irene. Seeing some hummingbirds would really boost our spirits after dealing with the hurricane (power outage, debris etc). Are they still around?

MarkinNH · 08-30-2011, 06:18 PM

I saw one yesterday.

Newbiesaukee · 08-30-2011, 06:20 PM

I have three that share my feeder and just saw them within the past hour.

SteveA · 08-30-2011, 06:46 PM

Hadn't seen ours since before the storm, but they were back yesterday.

We were happy to seem them

Merrymeeting · 08-30-2011, 07:52 PM

Had several at my feeder this evening

Loony Singer · 08-31-2011, 01:03 PM

just heard one of the chirpy little devils by our feeder. But get here soon! They seem to head south very early. i think they're bulking up for the trip right now.

and what's this about hummers sharing a feeder? must be a different species than ours...ours definitely do NOT share!!

webmaster · 08-31-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirror Lake's BB

Seeing some hummingbirds would really boost our spirits after dealing with the hurricane

Check out Rattlesnake Gal's video:

Mirror Lake's BB · 08-31-2011, 05:01 PM

They seemed to continue to come by during Irene but once we lost power and fired up the generator for 2.5 days they must have decided to go to our neighbors. I will refill the feeders before leaving for the lake tomorrow.

Lucy Goose · 08-31-2011, 09:19 PM

Yep, I have tons of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9apXcoWaFqM

Lucy Goose

donnamatrix · 09-01-2011, 10:34 AM

I so love these little birds. When we lived in San Francisco we would have literally hundreds every day. I kept the feeder out during Irene - it's a bit under the cover of our farmer's front porch - and the little guys would come and sit all around it, have some nectar, and try to stay dry. I put fresh nectar out this AM (8/31) and immediately the hummers were there. They are such a treat to watch. If anyone gets HULU you can search for a special on hummingbirds (and another on eagles) - both films are jaw dropping in their beauty.

donnamatrix · 09-01-2011, 02:47 PM

This is on YouTube - don't know where in the Northeast - but following the hurricane, whose winds kept the birds from feeding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dlvp...yer_detailpage

Hope I inserted the link correctly!

Lakesrider · 09-04-2011, 02:07 PM

Was sitting at the Pine Cone having dinner on Friday night. One came and hovered in the window right in front of me. Kinda looked at me and then took off. Must not have liked what was for dinner....Chicken.

Natt · 09-06-2011, 10:25 AM

We were in Pittsburg NH over the weekend and saw hummingbirds twice up there.

But no moose.

Barney Bear · 09-13-2011, 03:06 PM

We had humming birds visiting our front porch feeder on East Bear Island this past weekend - will probably head south in the near future. Bon voyage little ones!!!

RLW · 09-14-2011, 07:11 AM

By what I read the other day, most all males have left and in about 10 days after they leave the females will be on the move also. We will still see a very few left, they being the older ones and tanking up a bit more for there trip back. I also read that many of the birds do not fly across the Gulf but follow the coast of Texas and of that group many stay in Texas. Many of the ones that cross, stop and rest on the oil rigs and on ships. I found that info quite interesting as I have never heard those scenarios.
Oh, we still a stray one at our feeder, but aboout every other day or so. I believe we put fresh food out yesterday for the last time this year.

Lakesrider · 09-14-2011, 07:56 AM

Saw one hoovering at my hanging petunia plants, on Monday and another hoovered over me lst night. Probably wondering if I was going to refill the nectar feeder anytime soon. But I took it down for the season. Maybe a bit too early seeing as it was 80 degrees out yesterday.

hilltopper · 09-14-2011, 08:13 AM

I haven't seen a male in a week or so. The last time I saw a female was probably three days ago. Sad to see 'em go but they'll be back. If I see another this year I'll wonder if it's one of our "residents" or one that was further north and is just stopping at our place for a break and some grub.

Rattlesnake Gal · 09-20-2011, 04:54 PM

Our hummers were still around. Given how chilly it was last Friday and Saturday nights I would expect that they have been entering into torpor. Hope they've already left on their long journey!

dayvsea · 09-20-2011, 05:03 PM

Had some during the hurricane! Two just after, then perhaps 3 days after thats it.. But my feeders up for stragglers..

riverat · 09-22-2011, 03:17 PM

Still had one yesterday, Go Hummingbird Fly, go!

RLW · 09-22-2011, 03:41 PM

We saw 3

at different times this afternoon. They all passed the freshly filled feeder and went to the flowers. I guess the feeder will be coming down this weekend as there are plenty of plants for them to get the natural nutrition.

They are all down as of 9/26/11 and washed up for next season , but hummers still at flowers.

dayvsea · 09-23-2011, 07:15 PM

I've come to understand you are not hurting them by leaving feeders, they [I]know[I] when to move on..

Rattlesnake Gal · 09-26-2011, 09:46 AM

Have left the island.

Lakesrider · 09-26-2011, 11:13 AM

From today. I was on the riding mower so a bit blurry...
Look at the upper left of the picture.

Newbiesaukee · 09-26-2011, 11:38 AM

My lone remaining female has not been seen for 4 days and the feeder has been taken in. Spring isn't too far, is it?

Lakesrider · 09-27-2011, 01:39 PM

While riding the lawn mower the other day this one was feeding on some wild Asters. so still around as of 9-25-2011

Upper left. Sorry, the phone was shaking while I was riding, but I didn;t want to miss it all together......

DRH · 09-27-2011, 09:18 PM

Ours are now gone too here in West Alton. We find it very interesting that when they return in the spring, they look for the feeders they apparently remember from the previous summer if we haven't put them up yet. They just hover where the feeder was the previous year, probably thinking "Hey, I'm hungry! Where's my sweet nectar?"

Irish mist · 09-28-2011, 04:16 PM

I had to take down my feeder in the middle of the summer because the bees were draining it every day. I hated to do it, and I like bees, but it was getting to be too much.

Diana · 09-28-2011, 05:42 PM

@lakesrider, that photo is beautiful, the soft colors make it look like a watercolor! we have had isolated females around until the last couple of days, but despite lots of blooms still around we are noticing their absence today (SE CT)

Rattlesnake Gal · 09-29-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish mist

I had to take down my feeder in the middle of the summer because the bees were draining it every day. I hated to do it, and I like bees, but it was getting to be too much.

Perhaps you should try a feeder that is designed to keep these pests out of the nectar or try a feeder that accepts a nectar guard.

Aspects Nectar Guard Tip Replacements

Nectar Guard Tips slide onto the feeding ports on the underside of the cover. They’re a flexible membrane that opens easily for a hummingbird’s beak but flying insects can’t get through.
Use with Aspects HummZinger Ultra and HummZinger Fancy feeders.

These guards work on Aspects humming bird feeders

Or you could try a more traditional feeder with the guards already in place.

Four Flower Frolic Feeder

All hummingbird feeders available at Duncraft

All hummingbird products

This Hummingbird House looks interesting, as does the Hummer Helper Nesting Cage!

Support a New Hampshire company by ordering online from Duncraft or visit their New Hampshire store!
For many of us, this store is on the way to the lake.

Duncraft's Wild Bird & Nature Store
Route 3, 102 Fisherville Road
Concord, NH
603-224-3522

Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm

I just love hummingbirds!

Irish mist · 09-29-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Perhaps you should try a feeder that is designed to keep these pests out of the nectar or try a feeder that accepts a nectar guard.

Aspects Nectar Guard Tip Replacements

Nectar Guard Tips slide onto the feeding ports on the underside of the cover. They’re a flexible membrane that opens easily for a hummingbird’s beak but flying insects can’t get through.
Use with Aspects HummZinger Ultra and HummZinger Fancy feeders.

These guards work on Aspects humming bird feeders

Or you could try a more traditional feeder with the guards already in place.

Four Flower Frolic Feeder

All hummingbird feeders available at Duncraft

All hummingbird products

This Hummingbird House looks interesting, as does the Hummer Helper Nesting Cage!

Support a New Hampshire company by ordering online from Duncraft or visit their New Hampshire store!
For many of us, this store is on the way to the lake.

Duncraft's Wild Bird & Nature Store
Route 3, 102 Fisherville Road
Concord, NH
603-224-3522

Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm

I just love hummingbirds!

Thanks

I've never seen these covers. I've had the built-in covers, but they did not seem to work, but these add-on covers look good.

Greene's Basin Girl · 09-29-2011, 07:26 PM

What about ants? Any ideas on ways to keep them out?

RLW · 09-29-2011, 07:48 PM

Check out this as it is listed a couple threads before yours. There are many of the hummer feeders with the mote on them. I just took a heavy pastic cup and cut it down to about an inch high and put a hole it it to run the hanger through it and then took a good silicone glue and secured it to the feeder and it has worked on 3 that we have in the yard now for 3 years.

Sunrise Point · 09-30-2011, 05:13 PM

I have had great luck using a dab of triple axle grease on my hanging wire. This is the stuff that most boat owners have lying around. Probably vaseline would work too. The triple axle grease lasts all season.

08-30-2011, 05:00 PM	#1
Mirror Lake's BB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wayne, PA & Mirror Lake Posts: 150 Thanks: 117 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts	Hummingbirds-still around? We are coming up from PA and were delayed by Irene. Seeing some hummingbirds would really boost our spirits after dealing with the hurricane (power outage, debris etc). Are they still around?

08-30-2011, 06:20 PM	#3
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,351 Thanks: 938 Thanked 570 Times in 296 Posts	I have three that share my feeder and just saw them within the past hour. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

08-30-2011, 06:46 PM	#4
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Hadn't seen ours since before the storm, but they were back yesterday. We were happy to seem them __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

08-31-2011, 01:03 PM	#6
Loony Singer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 109 Thanks: 30 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts	heard one just now just heard one of the chirpy little devils by our feeder. But get here soon! They seem to head south very early. i think they're bulking up for the trip right now. and what's this about hummers sharing a feeder? must be a different species than ours...ours definitely do NOT share!!

08-31-2011, 05:01 PM	#8
Mirror Lake's BB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wayne, PA & Mirror Lake Posts: 150 Thanks: 117 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts	I don't think they liked the emergency generator They seemed to continue to come by during Irene but once we lost power and fired up the generator for 2.5 days they must have decided to go to our neighbors. I will refill the feeders before leaving for the lake tomorrow.

08-30-2011, 06:18 PM	#2
MarkinNH Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 392 Thanks: 177 Thanked 146 Times in 76 Posts	I saw one yesterday.

08-30-2011, 07:52 PM	#5
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 799 Times in 368 Posts	Had several at my feeder this evening

The Following User Says Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
Mirror Lake's BB (08-31-2011)

08-31-2011, 09:19 PM	#9
Lucy Goose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 228 Thanks: 29 Thanked 108 Times in 29 Posts	Yep, I have tons of them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9apXcoWaFqM Lucy Goose

09-01-2011, 10:34 AM	#10
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Gots tons of hummers I so love these little birds. When we lived in San Francisco we would have literally hundreds every day. I kept the feeder out during Irene - it's a bit under the cover of our farmer's front porch - and the little guys would come and sit all around it, have some nectar, and try to stay dry. I put fresh nectar out this AM (8/31) and immediately the hummers were there. They are such a treat to watch. If anyone gets HULU you can search for a special on hummingbirds (and another on eagles) - both films are jaw dropping in their beauty.

09-01-2011, 02:47 PM	#11
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Video of oodles of hummers after Irene This is on YouTube - don't know where in the Northeast - but following the hurricane, whose winds kept the birds from feeding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dlvp...yer_detailpage Hope I inserted the link correctly!

09-04-2011, 02:07 PM	#12
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Was sitting at the Pine Cone having dinner on Friday night. One came and hovered in the window right in front of me. Kinda looked at me and then took off. Must not have liked what was for dinner....Chicken.

09-06-2011, 10:25 AM	#13
Natt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 120 Thanks: 125 Thanked 30 Times in 23 Posts	We were in Pittsburg NH over the weekend and saw hummingbirds twice up there. But no moose.

09-13-2011, 03:06 PM	#14
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Still Here We had humming birds visiting our front porch feeder on East Bear Island this past weekend - will probably head south in the near future. Bon voyage little ones!!!

09-14-2011, 07:11 AM	#15
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Good bye Hummers for another year By what I read the other day, most all males have left and in about 10 days after they leave the females will be on the move also. We will still see a very few left, they being the older ones and tanking up a bit more for there trip back. I also read that many of the birds do not fly across the Gulf but follow the coast of Texas and of that group many stay in Texas. Many of the ones that cross, stop and rest on the oil rigs and on ships. I found that info quite interesting as I have never heard those scenarios. Oh, we still a stray one at our feeder, but aboout every other day or so. I believe we put fresh food out yesterday for the last time this year. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

09-14-2011, 07:56 AM	#16
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Saw one hoovering at my hanging petunia plants, on Monday and another hoovered over me lst night. Probably wondering if I was going to refill the nectar feeder anytime soon. But I took it down for the season. Maybe a bit too early seeing as it was 80 degrees out yesterday.

09-14-2011, 08:13 AM	#17
hilltopper Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 722 Thanks: 25 Thanked 106 Times in 67 Posts	I haven't seen a male in a week or so. The last time I saw a female was probably three days ago. Sad to see 'em go but they'll be back. If I see another this year I'll wonder if it's one of our "residents" or one that was further north and is just stopping at our place for a break and some grub.

09-20-2011, 04:54 PM	#18
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	As of Last Saturday... Our hummers were still around. Given how chilly it was last Friday and Saturday nights I would expect that they have been entering into torpor. Hope they've already left on their long journey!

09-20-2011, 05:03 PM	#19
dayvsea Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 115 Thanks: 45 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Had some during the hurricane! Two just after, then perhaps 3 days after thats it.. But my feeders up for stragglers.. __________________ "Honesty is the best policy."

09-22-2011, 03:17 PM	#20
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Still had one yesterday, Go Hummingbird Fly, go! __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

09-22-2011, 03:41 PM	#21
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	We saw 3 at different times this afternoon. They all passed the freshly filled feeder and went to the flowers. I guess the feeder will be coming down this weekend as there are plenty of plants for them to get the natural nutrition. They are all down as of 9/26/11 and washed up for next season , but hummers still at flowers. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits. Last edited by RLW; 09-26-2011 at 11:09 AM. Reason: Added last sentence

09-23-2011, 07:15 PM	#22
dayvsea Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 115 Thanks: 45 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I've come to understand you are not hurting them by leaving feeders, they [I]know[I] when to move on.. __________________ "Honesty is the best policy."

09-26-2011, 09:46 AM	#23
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Our Hummers Have left the island.

09-26-2011, 11:13 AM	#24
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	From today. I was on the riding mower so a bit blurry... Look at the upper left of the picture. Attached Images

09-26-2011, 11:38 AM	#25
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,351 Thanks: 938 Thanked 570 Times in 296 Posts	My lone remaining female has not been seen for 4 days and the feeder has been taken in. Spring isn't too far, is it? __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

09-27-2011, 01:39 PM	#26
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	While riding the lawn mower the other day this one was feeding on some wild Asters. so still around as of 9-25-2011 Upper left. Sorry, the phone was shaking while I was riding, but I didn;t want to miss it all together......

09-27-2011, 09:18 PM	#27
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith, NH Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,198 Thanked 675 Times in 178 Posts	Ours are now gone too here in West Alton. We find it very interesting that when they return in the spring, they look for the feeders they apparently remember from the previous summer if we haven't put them up yet. They just hover where the feeder was the previous year, probably thinking "Hey, I'm hungry! Where's my sweet nectar?" __________________ DRH

09-28-2011, 04:16 PM	#28
Irish mist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 682 Thanks: 125 Thanked 85 Times in 49 Posts	I had to take down my feeder in the middle of the summer because the bees were draining it every day. I hated to do it, and I like bees, but it was getting to be too much.

09-28-2011, 05:42 PM	#29
Diana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 65 Thanks: 340 Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts	@lakesrider, that photo is beautiful, the soft colors make it look like a watercolor! we have had isolated females around until the last couple of days, but despite lots of blooms still around we are noticing their absence today (SE CT)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rattlesnake Gal For This Useful Post:
Jonas Pilot (09-29-2011), secondcurve (10-01-2011)

09-29-2011, 07:26 PM	#32
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	What about ants? Any ideas on ways to keep them out?

09-29-2011, 07:48 PM	#33
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Check out this as it is listed a couple threads before yours. There are many of the hummer feeders with the mote on them. I just took a heavy pastic cup and cut it down to about an inch high and put a hole it it to run the hanger through it and then took a good silicone glue and secured it to the feeder and it has worked on 3 that we have in the yard now for 3 years. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

The Following User Says Thank You to RLW For This Useful Post:
Greene's Basin Girl (09-30-2011)

09-30-2011, 05:13 PM	#34
Sunrise Point Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Meredith Center / Winnisquam Posts: 250 Thanks: 87 Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts	keep the ants away I have had great luck using a dab of triple axle grease on my hanging wire. This is the stuff that most boat owners have lying around. Probably vaseline would work too. The triple axle grease lasts all season.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Sunrise Point For This Useful Post:
Greene's Basin Girl (09-30-2011), secondcurve (10-01-2011)