Hummingbird observations continue; keep feeding!

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 16 September 2010 11:11

Hummers are leaving, but sightings — and ideas — continue

The hummingbirds have started leaving, but the reader comments about them continue to flow in — with some valuable observations and recommendations.

Perching dowel

Noting my concern last week over all the space here devoted to hummingbirds recently, Joan Cullman of Redding writes, “Don’t ever apologize — we can never get enough hummer stories.

“We have two feeders and still have lots of activity. Lately, it is mostly females; earlier, it was males.

“I’ve mentioned before that my husband installed two, 18-inch-long dowels out the side of our deck rail next to the feeders. These special little creatures love to perch on them.  One is usually waiting for me in the morning when I set the feeders out, often taking a drink before I get them hung up.

“We’re amazed at how often we look out and one is perched there, preening, guarding, or maybe just keeping an eye on us. I highly recommend installing a little dowel someplace near your feeder. You will be amazed at how often they alight.”

Wasp solution

Betsy Bell of Wilton offers a way to keep wasps away from hummingbird feeders: Rub Avon Skin So Soft on the hummingbird feeder holes. She ran across this suggestion two years ago in, of all places, this column, “and have been using Skin So Soft ever since and it works!  Publish it again with the reminder to save the article for next year.  It really does work.

“I just saw a hummer as I am writing this...but the number is down to a few girls.”

Spray shower

Mary Walsh of Ridgefield says, “Didn’t have my camera at the ready, but I definitely got a chuckle this morning watching a female hummer take a shower.  I was filling my birdbath that rests on the ground.  The water was spraying every which way.  A female hummer caught sight of it and for three minutes or so danced in and out of the spray.  She even landed on a fern that was getting sprayed and fluttered her wings as if to rinse her tiny feathers.  It was quite a welcome sight!”

Cooperation

“This year has had some different aspects to what I have observed as their usual habits,” Betty Flavin of Ridgefield writes of her hummers. “To begin with, they arrived about 10 days later than usual. They were annoyed by a pair of Downy Woodpeckers who started to enjoy their liquid in mid-June. Reluctantly, I suppose, the hummers accepted their invaders and by mid-July, they could often be seen on the feeders at the same time — that is, unless the [wasps] were keeping them both away.

“In the past the hummers were always territorial and quite possessive of their food. They could be heard and seen ‘dive-bombing’ each other to keep other hummers away. This year, we actually witnessed a male and female sitting about 14 inches apart on a perch. They were content until one or the other started to go to the feeder, and then the ‘dive bombing’ began.

“For the last six days, I have seen only female hummingbirds. It seems the males may already have left — perhaps to avoid the possible bad weather we may have around here. They seem to know what is impending.”

Coming up

Fall Migration at Chestnut Ridge Hawk Watch, bring binoculars, Saturday, Sept. 18, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Bedford Audubon at Arthur Butler Sanctuary, Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford Corners, 914-666-8448,  bedfordaudubon.org

Trip to Hawk Mountain, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 18, leaving 6 a.m. from Millwood, Saw Mill River Audubon, register at 914-666-6503 or email office @ sawmillriveraudubon.org

Autumn Morning Bird Walks: Saturdays, Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Sept. 22, 29 and Oct. 6, 13, 7:30, free, Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich.audubon.org, 203-869-5272 x221.

Breakfast with the Hawks with Hawk Counter Arthur W. Green, and   Naturalist Adam Zorn Sunday, Sept. 19, at 8 a.m. at Chestnut Ridge Hawk Watch Arthur Butler Sanctuary, 261 Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford Corners, 914-666-8448. bedfordaudubon.org

Nocturnal Migration, talks by Luke Tiller and Benjamin Van Doren, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 7:30 to 9:30, $5, Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich.audubon.org, 203-869-5272 x221.

Autumn Birding Series, trips and talks with Luke Tiller: “Confusing Fall Warblers” lecture (Sept. 23) and trip to Greenwich Point (Sept. 26); “Raptor Migration” lecture (Oct. 14) and trip to Lighthouse Point (Oct. 17); “Little Brown Jobs” lecture (Oct. 21) and trip to Allen’s Meadows (Oct. 24); talks Thursdays at 7 p.m. , trips   at 7:30 am;   $15 per lecture/trip or $60 for all six;   RSVP to store: 203-869-5272 x221 Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich.audubon.org

Great Stratford Bird Festival, led by Phil Donahue, dozens of talks, walks, field trips, exhibits, food, programs for kids, etc., Thursday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 26 stratfordbirdfestival.com.

Fall migration at Chestnut Ridge Hawk Watch, Sunday, Sept. 26, 9 to 11:30, Bedford Audubon,  at Butler Sanctuary, Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford Corners, N.Y., 914-666-8448, bedfordaudubon.org

Copyright 2010 by Jack Sanders. Send sightings or comments to: jackfsanders [at sign] yahoo.com, or to Bird Notes, Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877; or call 203-438-1183, extension BIRD (2473), and leave a message with your report, spelling your first and last names and telling us your town. If you need help identifying a bird, try your local nature center. If you find an injured bird, call wildlife rehabilitator Darlene Wimbrow of Redding, 203-438-0618, Wildlife in Crisis of Weston, 203-544-9913, or Wild Wings of Greenwich, 203-637-9822. The columnist’s website is www. sandersbooks. com.