[TN-Bird] Re: Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds show strong preferences for certain sites (feeders on the
end of my porch empty three times faster than the ones near the steps),
and also for certain feeders. I think some are not "comfortable" for the
hummers, either for their tongues or the perching position. You might
also try the stronger solution described in my earlier message. 

"Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and
mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life." 
- Rachel Carson 

Carol Reese
Ornamental Horticulture Specialist -Western District 
University of Tennessee Extension Service
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson TN 38301
731 425 4767 email  jreese5@xxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Shawna Ellis
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 10:57 AM
To: timrid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Tn Bird List
Subject: [TN-Bird] Re: Hummingbirds

Just have a question here for those with large numbers of hummingbirds.

My neighbors have multitudes of hummingbirds, with almost constant
activity at their 5 feeders. Their feeders are located in full sun,
either on shepherd's hooks in the yard or hung up on the eaves by the
windows. The only flowers they have in their yard are cosmos, which
are planted right under the feeders. They live about 35 yards away.

I have 4 feeders up, but due to the layout of my yard they are all in
shade or partial shade, but are visible. One is almost in full sun, a
tiny one hung by my kitchen window, and it is the most frequented. I
have few flowers this year, just a smattering of hanging baskets with
petunias, impatiens, begonias and soon we will have morning glories
and vining moonflowers blooming in another part of the yard. I have a
few regular hummingbird visitors which come off and on throughout the
day, but nothing like my neighbors have.

Is my lack of large numbers due to light conditions or lack of
attractant flowers? I don't have enough sunlight in the front (visible
from the windows) part of my yard to hang them in more sun.

I'd certainly enjoy having more hummingbirds, but I grew up just a few
hundred feet away and my family only had a few hummingbirds at a time
at our feeders (similarly shaded yard to mine). I never felt much like
I was lacking in numbers until I saw the activity at my neighbors'
house and saw what was possible here! How do they have so many and we
so few?

A recently fledged downy woodpecker is the main visitor to one of my
feeders... which I truly enjoy!

Thanks,
Shawna Ellis
Paris, TN
Henry County

On 7/6/10, Tim Riddle <timrid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Similar to last year the Ruby Throated Hummers are around in large
numbers.
> I currently have only one feeder up and they are going through about 3
cups
> of solution a day. I have 2 new Perky Pet 30oz. feeders on the way and
I am
> sure the number of hummers will match or surpass the 6 to 7 cups a day
I was
> putting out last year.
> Tim Riddle
> Overton Co.
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>                           Rosedale, VA
>                --------------------------------
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> __________________________________________________________
>
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=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with
first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation.
You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds
you report were seen.  The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should
appear in the first paragraph.
_____________________________________________________________
      To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
                    tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_____________________________________________________________ 
                To unsubscribe, send email to:
                 tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
            with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
______________________________________________________________
  TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society 
       Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s)
        endorse the views or opinions expressed
        by the members of this discussion group.
 
         Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
                 wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
                ------------------------------
                Assistant Moderator Andy Jones
                         Cleveland, OH
                -------------------------------
               Assistant Moderator Dave Worley
                          Rosedale, VA
               --------------------------------
               Assistant Moderator Chris O'Bryan
                        Clarksville, TN
__________________________________________________________
         
          Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
              web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                          ARCHIVES
 TN-Bird Net Archives at http://www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/

                       MAP RESOURCES
Tenn.Counties Map at
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif
Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com

_____________________________________________________________


=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with
first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation.
You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds
you report were seen.  The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should
appear in the first paragraph.
_____________________________________________________________
      To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
                    tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_____________________________________________________________ 
                To unsubscribe, send email to:
                 tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
            with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
______________________________________________________________
  TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society 
       Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s)
        endorse the views or opinions expressed
        by the members of this discussion group.
 
         Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
                 wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
                ------------------------------
                Assistant Moderator Andy Jones
                         Cleveland, OH
                -------------------------------
               Assistant Moderator Dave Worley
                          Rosedale, VA
               --------------------------------
               Assistant Moderator Chris O'Bryan
                        Clarksville, TN
__________________________________________________________
         
          Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
              web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                          ARCHIVES
 TN-Bird Net Archives at http://www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/

                       MAP RESOURCES
Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif
Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com

_____________________________________________________________

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