Hummingbirds 2023

[Merrymeeting]

Any sightings in the Lakes Region yet?

[Slickcraft]

Not yet but thanks for the reminder. We will get the feeder out on Welch tomorrow.

Alan

[tis]

I saw a picture a day or two ago of where they were and mostly it was mid eastern seaboard so it should be soon.

[jeffk]

2023 US Hummingbird Migration Map

Hummingbird Central tracks sightings every year. They have been spotted in Pelham, NH but much further north in Vermont, Maine, and New York. It shouldn't be too much longer.

[tis]

Originally Posted by jeffk

2023 US Hummingbird Migration Map

Hummingbird Central tracks sightings every year. They have been spotted in Pelham, NH but much further north in Vermont, Maine, and New York. It shouldn't be too much longer.

That's exactly what I saw. Neat!

[Biggd]

With all the spring projects I always forget the bird feeder, putting it out today!

[jeffk]

One spotted in Manchester. My feeders will go up this weekend.

[Merrymeeting]

Saw two feeders out at houses as I drove around yesterday. Unfortunately, many are not getting the message. Both were filled with red-dye liquids.

[Geneva Point]

We're just opening up this week and haven't put up our feeder yet so we haven't seen them. We'll probably do it next weekend. Hummingbirds are facing some challenges worldwide. See the link below.


https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/21/world...day/index.html

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

Saw two feeders out at houses as I drove around yesterday. Unfortunately, many are not getting the message.
Both were filled with red-dye liquids.

More on commercial red dye--(excerpt):

Toxic Chemicals
Commercial nectars contain a petroleum-based dye, Red Dye #40. Although this dye is approved by the FDA in the United States, there is enough uncertainty about the safety of Red Dye #40 that it is banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland...

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology strongly recommends against using red dye in feeders: "There is no research that proves red dye is safe for hummingbirds, and very compelling anecdotal information from experienced, licensed rehabbers that hummers who have been fed dyed food have higher mortality and suffer tumors of the bill and liver."

Extremely High Dose
The concern about red dye comes not only from possible dangers of the chemical itself, but also from how the birds consume it. The amount of dye is not regulated, and the birds are so small that ounce for ounce they are exposed to levels that far exceed amounts known to be harmful. The Accepted Daily Intake (ADI) for Red #40 approved for human consumption by the World Health Organization is a maximum of 7 mg per kg (0.007 mg/g) of body weight (equivalent to 0.007 mg per g body weight).

Hummingbirds consume 10g of nectar solution per day. This means they ingest 17 times more red dye than the maximum daily limit recommended for humans.

https://journeynorth.org/tm/humm/foo...ors%20of%20the

[sunset on the dock]

I worry about putting out the feeder too early because of bears. Has anyone else had problems with bears and hummingbird feeders? While we've never had a bear take down hummingbird feeders they did do a number on our bird feeder full of sunflower seeds.

[jeffk]

We have never had a bear problem with hummingbird feeders and there ARE bears in the woods around us and have been on our property, right next to the house. We HAVE had a problem with bird seed feeders and bears. We no longer use bird seed.

However, I seem to remember a friend having a problem with hummingbird feeders and bears. They also have bird feeders and have to watch out for bears and I may have gotten the two types of feeders they have mixed up.

Further, if you have both types of feeders, the seed (even spilled seed on the ground) may draw the bears and the hummingbird feeder could become collateral damage.

[hilltopper]

Saw the first hummingbird at our place in Meredith yesterday morning. Time to get the other two feeders out this weekend.

[ApS]

Seen this 3-D mechanical hummingbird--made of wood? Battery powered, it'd best be displayed at a waiting room. It's definitely not for youngsters.

Sold elsewhere, but exhibited best at the link below:

https://splazza.com/product/mechanical-hummingbird/

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by ApS

Seen this 3-D mechanical hummingbird--made of wood? Battery powered, it'd best be displayed at a waiting room. It's definitely not for youngsters.

Sold elsewhere, but exhibited best at the link below:

https://splazza.com/product/mechanical-hummingbird/

Be VERY careful. The reviews on this site (SPLAZZA) are NOT good. Customer service is terrible and they provide negligible service to customer problems. Product quality is poor.

[jeffk]

First hummingbird sighted at the feeder this morning in Center Harbor, but there was a problem. A beautiful Baltimore Oriole was sitting on the feeder. The hummingbird was using typical hummingbird intimidation tactics, buzzing all around but the Oriole was ignoring him, with amusement. The Oriole seemed to be getting some nectar but finally flew away. The hummingbird came back a minute later and was finally able to settle on the feeder.

[upthesaukee]

I've had a feeder out for over a week, but never saw one. If there was any wind at all, the feeder would do a drip a drop at a time. The feeder seemed to empty itself.

Put out a new feeder yesterday and voila, within an hour or so, a hummingbird appeared. This morning they have been fighting over the feeder.

Welcome back!!!!!

Dave

[dippasan]

Saw 2 Hummers at our feeders this weekend.
(or maybe saw the same hummer twice)

We love seeing them

[sunset on the dock]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed in previous threads. Last year and this year we noticed that the hummingbirds returned in late April or May and were very active at the feeder and consuming a large quantity of food. After a week or so they stopped frequenting the feeder for about a week. Now they have returned and are again consuming a great deal of food. Any explanations?

[Merrymeeting]

I don't know the explanation but I noticed the same this past weekend. Tons of activity for several weeks. Then late last week it seemed they disappeared. Saw or heard none most of the weekend. But as of yesterday they seem to be back.

[hilltopper]

My understanding is that peak breeding season occurs in mid-May. Maybe that's part of the reason they seem to disappear. They're busy doing "other stuff".

[DRH]

We haven't seen any male hummers at our feeder in over a week now. Lots of females, though, still come repeatedly each day. The males have evidently begun their migration south. They are always the first to arrive at our feeder in the spring and the first to leave in the fall. We have so much female activity at the feeder now we suspect that in addition to our "locals" we are likely also hosting migrating females coming through from points north on their way south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Won't be long before they leave too.

[jeffk]

We had a BIG uptick in activity and a few additional birds a little over a week ago. We had four females on the feeder at the same time, which is unusual for the territorial ruby throated hummingbirds.

Now, I'm not sure all the males are gone but I haven't seen our usual one for a couple days. There seems to be fewer females as well but there are still several around and they were pretty active today.

[Woody38]

it seems that activity has ceased at the feeder in front of the kitchen sink window sometime last week. There is one or two really small hummers at the window at the eating area of the kitchen. I thought all were gone but refilled yesterday and they are still here. Last night one came to the window and door looking in, I thought to say goodby. Maybe just checking to see if we are here. We were away for two weeks and possibly those in front thought we were gone for good. Glad to see those who are still feeding.

_________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

[Merrymeeting]

While the pace of consumption has definitely dropped, still seeing birds at my feeders and flowers. Seem to be mostly, if not all, females.

[upthesaukee]

I'm only seeing females at my feeder. There seems to be at least a pair that are arguing over who can use the feeder. Can't we just be friends?

Dave

[hilltopper]

Since Labor Day I've had sporadic sightings every three to four days including yesterday and today. I can't say I remember seeing any as late as 9/21. Maybe it's because I've usually taken the feeders down already. Every time I think to myself that it's time to take the feeders down and give them a good washing I have another sighting and decide to leave them up a bit longer.

[upthesaukee]

At least one is still around. I have seen it (her) (them) every day, several times a day, including this morning. With this colder weather, I assume that it won't be long before it will be time to pull the feeders for one more season.

Dave

[upthesaukee]

After filling the feeders on the morning of the 21st, I have not seen any of my "friends".

I guess it's a wait until the end of April, first week in May.

Dave

[Woody38]

Went to the lake two weeks ago with full feeders. A couple of our feathered friends were still here then. Coming back last Friday, feeders were empty, so I put a small amount in one feeder. No visitors, therefore, looking to next April when we return from California.

____________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

[jeffk]

Last visitors were on Friday, the 22nd. None for the last two days. We will leave the feeders up for a few more days but I think the season is done.

[DesertDweller]

Had one yesterday but usually have a bunch more.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by DesertDweller

Had one yesterday but usually have a bunch more.

We've had no hummers at our feeder for almost a week now. Looks like they've all gone south, at least from our area.

[Merrymeeting]

Took my feeders down a few days ago. But feeling guilty now. Just back from a cruise on a beautiful evening yesterday when I saw a lone hummer going from pot to pot, checking out the blooms we have left for food.

[jeffk]

We have a hummingbird on our feeder this morning. It's probably a traveler just getting a quick refill but it was a nice surprise to see it. We will leave the feeders out a bit longer, just in case there is another straggler.