For the first time since Monday, November 10, this morning we saw a hummingbird
in our yard. This little one is jet-propelled (the strong wings might be
helping), so I've still not managed a photograph. The bird showed up between
7:30 and 8:00 a.m., and my daughter had not yet left for work; it helps to have
two pair of eyes. We had time for a couple of quick looks with binoculars and
the hummer appears to be a Rufous, plump and in good health. Perhaps this bird
has a regular route in the neighborhood with our yard only an occasional
stop-over. If the hummingbird establishes a reliable routine, we will
certainly post details and invite other birders to join us in enjoying the
visits.
Today it hovered by a tube safflower feeder, examined our HummZinger "flying
saucer" hummingbird feeder, looked at the remaining nectar flowers (in sad
shape), then bathed briefly in the small artificial waterfall which
recirculates the water in our little goldfish pond! All this activity occurred
within seconds at 34 degrees F.
From information posted by others, we've learned about making winter hummers
welcome by mixing nectar 3-to-1 rather than 4-to-1, warming nectar before
filling feeders, bringing in feeders at night to prevent freezing, putting out
bananas/fruit to attract fruit flies to add protein to the bird's diet, and
putting up a heat lamp near feeders. However, I need suggestions from Mary or
someone else who has hosted hummingbirds during the winter on:
(1) How to use a heat lamp outside safely. We do have an outdoor circuit
protected with a GFCI, but our heat lamps are intended for use inside as
reptile basking fixtures.
(2) Where to find nectar plants (and which ones) that can take being
outside during milder days.
(3) Should we use something like Nektar Plus since insects are almost
nonexistent during cold weather? If so, where can we purchase it?
Many thanks!
Barbara Farron
Springfield, VA
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