The Hummingbirds Are Back!

Sunrise Point · 05-08-2009, 05:17 AM

Rose, thank you for the links. They have been bookmarked on my computer and I'm sure that I will go back to them often. I have only seen one bluebird in my life and that was 35 years ago by a bird bath in Oquossoc, Maine. I would love to see more.

Tis, we had ant problems around our hummingbird feeders. The ants seemed to find the feeders as soon as they were put out. They would crawl all around and even into the feeder. The hummers would stop using the feeder as soon as the ants began to get inside and drown. I then started using - I think it's called Tri-Axle Grease. It's a blue heavy grease that is intended for the outboard steering mechanism on a boat. I put a circle of that around the wire or bracket that holds the feeder. It is a barrier that they won't cross. One application works all season. If you didn't have access to the grease, petroleum jelly would probably work as well.

We haven't a problem with the ants on the ground. We don't have much of a lawn and if the ants can't get to the feeder, they seem to move on.

Rose · 05-09-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunrise Point

Rose, thank you for the links. They have been bookmarked on my computer and I'm sure that I will go back to them often. I have only seen one bluebird in my life and that was 35 years ago by a bird bath in Oquossoc, Maine. I would love to see more.

You might want to wait until the fall before trying the recipe. Now that spring has arrived, the bluebirds have gone elsewhere. We continue to put the feed out because other birds like it, too, and we don't want to miss the bluebirds' return in the fall.

I've found the easiest thing to do with the suet is to melt it, strain it, and freeze it in 1/2 cup amounts. It's just easier to make batches later on.

Chickie · 05-25-2009, 10:12 AM

The new generation of Orioles has made a liar out of me. As I stated in a previous post in this threat, I had found during the past couple years that they preferred suet to the liquid nectar in the traditional Oriole feeder. This year I have both feeders set up side-by-side and they are going for the liquid nectar exclusively. I haven’t seen any eating suet. The woodpeckers are happy as they have it all to themselves. Go figure!

Bear Island South · 05-25-2009, 04:55 PM

those orioles must be teenagers.....everytime we see the hummingbirds at our feeders we stop and stare..what fun!

ApS · 06-03-2009, 08:58 AM

While searching for something else*, I found this great photo of a hummingbird. (Included with a spirited discussion and some additional hummingbirdy tips).

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...read.php?t=438

*(The "Veery glissando", if anyone has it stored in their "Favorites").

Lakesrider · 06-03-2009, 09:39 PM

While out planting some flowers tonight in the yard, I heard what I thought was a large bumble bee near my ear. So I swated around like a crazy person. But then I noticed a Hummingbird droning along at the feeder I put up a few weeks ago. I hadn't seen any birds at it but one day when I got home, I noticed the feeder was half empty. I thought it was defective and that it had drained out somehow. Now I am thinking this bird found the feeder and was purging it. I had just refilled it when I heard the bird tonight. After it had taken a good drink.....Whoooooosh.......it was gone like a rocket. Man, those things are fast.

I wish I had thought to grab my camera. DOH!

Maybe next time.

SteveA · 06-07-2009, 06:26 PM

Finally managed to be in the right place with the camera.

This is the female, the male was missing for a few days, but we saw him earlier, and didn't have the camera at the ready.

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The auto focus on our new long lens wouldn't stay in focus for a "hover" shot.

05-25-2009, 10:12 AM	#3
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 370 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	New Wave of Orioles The new generation of Orioles has made a liar out of me. As I stated in a previous post in this threat, I had found during the past couple years that they preferred suet to the liquid nectar in the traditional Oriole feeder. This year I have both feeders set up side-by-side and they are going for the liquid nectar exclusively. I haven’t seen any eating suet. The woodpeckers are happy as they have it all to themselves. Go figure!

05-25-2009, 04:55 PM	#4
Bear Island South Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southboro, MA Posts: 579 Thanks: 75 Thanked 384 Times in 170 Posts	hummingbirds are back those orioles must be teenagers.....everytime we see the hummingbirds at our feeders we stop and stare..what fun!

06-03-2009, 08:58 AM	#5
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,951 Thanks: 2,229 Thanked 781 Times in 557 Posts	Veery Nice Hummingbird Photo While searching for something else, I found this great photo of a hummingbird. (Included with a spirited discussion and some additional hummingbirdy tips). http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...read.php?t=438 (The "Veery glissando", if anyone has it stored in their "Favorites"). __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.

06-07-2009, 06:26 PM	#7
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Today Finally managed to be in the right place with the camera. This is the female, the male was missing for a few days, but we saw him earlier, and didn't have the camera at the ready. The auto focus on our new long lens wouldn't stay in focus for a "hover" shot. __________________ "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

05-08-2009, 05:17 AM	#1
Sunrise Point Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Meredith Center / Winnisquam Posts: 250 Thanks: 87 Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts	Rose, thank you for the links. They have been bookmarked on my computer and I'm sure that I will go back to them often. I have only seen one bluebird in my life and that was 35 years ago by a bird bath in Oquossoc, Maine. I would love to see more. Tis, we had ant problems around our hummingbird feeders. The ants seemed to find the feeders as soon as they were put out. They would crawl all around and even into the feeder. The hummers would stop using the feeder as soon as the ants began to get inside and drown. I then started using - I think it's called Tri-Axle Grease. It's a blue heavy grease that is intended for the outboard steering mechanism on a boat. I put a circle of that around the wire or bracket that holds the feeder. It is a barrier that they won't cross. One application works all season. If you didn't have access to the grease, petroleum jelly would probably work as well. We haven't a problem with the ants on the ground. We don't have much of a lawn and if the ants can't get to the feeder, they seem to move on.

06-03-2009, 09:39 PM	#6
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	While out planting some flowers tonight in the yard, I heard what I thought was a large bumble bee near my ear. So I swated around like a crazy person. But then I noticed a Hummingbird droning along at the feeder I put up a few weeks ago. I hadn't seen any birds at it but one day when I got home, I noticed the feeder was half empty. I thought it was defective and that it had drained out somehow. Now I am thinking this bird found the feeder and was purging it. I had just refilled it when I heard the bird tonight. After it had taken a good drink.....Whoooooosh.......it was gone like a rocket. Man, those things are fast. I wish I had thought to grab my camera. DOH! Maybe next time.