Hummers keeping me busy.....

[stan davison]

I have two standard hummingbird feeders and approximately 7 to 10 hummingbirds here all the time. They fight constantly but are very fun to watch. When do the ruby throated hummingbirds migrate? I hope they stick around for a while, even though changing the water every 2 days can be a pain... On the martin front last night was the first night i did not see any martins flying towards the river. For the last couple months i've witnessed thousands flying over my house to roost.... I may never get nesting martins because the trees in my neighborhood are very large and i found a hawk nest in my neighbors tree. I have not been able to identify these hawks but they are beautiful and graceful. They are a grayish color with a little white on them.. They even soar like martins. I will never give up trying to attract martins but i will let nature take its course.....

[Louise Chambers]

Stan, those hawks sound like Mississippi Kites. Keep trying for martins, the presence of the kites won't keep martins from nesting - kites eat insects, reptiles, etc., though they may try for martin fledglings when they are abundant. Here's a link with more info

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i3290id.html

the hummers will head south pretty soon, but isn't it fun seeing them in larger numbers? they dogfight over the feeders here all day long.

Louise

[stan davison]

Thanks Louise for the response. The Mississippi Kite is exactly what i have and oh are they awesome to watch. I hope they are back next year. I'm down to one male ruby throat, the rest are all female. They will all be gone soon..

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Stan. Keep those feeders up and filled awhile yet. I've still got Hummers (At least three or more) here in Lowell, Michigan, which is 18 miles East of Grand Rapids. Still have one male that's rather dark on his belly, one male that's quite light, and a couple of Females. I've put out a third feeder in an attempt to get it so the old male can't hoard all of them. I've got two in the front since he seems to guard the one in back mostly. I may even have more than I thought, since all three feeders are busy most of the day. I don't see anyone guarding those in the front much. I've got two at opposite ends of the house, plus one in the back, where my puter room/bird viewing window is. So like I say, keep those feeders up and full, you'll have hummers for some time yet. CUL Lou

[Guest]

I live in Tallahassee, Florida and some hummers will actually winter here. However, I have never had any winter on my property before, at least none that I have seen. I have been watching them everyday though, knowing that they will soon leave. They provide lots of entertainment and people who visit my residence really enjoy watching them. I keep a few extra feeders on hand to give out to people.