Hummingbird issue . . .

[QC]

I was tempted to post this in non-Boating Tech, but these Hummer threads seem to have a following here . . .

I have been playing with these guys for a few years and usually have 50 or more working our feeders. We've had the fewest ever this year. Part of it is that we've had a cool summer (sorry), but I think there is another reason . . . We have a particularly nasty and selfish individual who very effectively guards the feeders for himself. He sits in a tree and whenever any other bird gets close he swoops down and shoos them off. Is there any way to deal with this guy short of a tennis racket? Even Mrs. QC is considering giving me the green light for a little volley

 

[DJ]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

QC,

The secret to my Hummer activity, this year, has been water.

I have a fountain, in the backyard. When it is off, I see NONE.

When it's ON I see dozens. I've resolved myself to leave it on: 24/7/365.

When I turned it off at night, I was welcomed, each morning, to many angry "Hummers", at my door, asking for it. It was comical.

Now, I see them every morning playing in it and doing their Hummingbird thing. The wife and and I get a kick out of their antics.

Read: WATER!

 

[JB]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

The heat and drought have really put them off The Hideout this year. Usually at this time I have many transients and can see as many as a hundred around my feeders. Today, maybe 8 or 10.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

People across Wisconsin have reported having many more than usual.


To thwart the " particularly nasty and selfish individual ", place feeders in locations that he cannot see from one vantage point. Behind the house, other side of the garage, under an awning, so he can't see all the feeders.

 

[DJ]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

People across Wisconsin have reported having many more than usual.


To thwart the " particularly nasty and selfish individual ", place feeders in locations that he cannot see from one vantage point. Behind the house, other side of the garage, under an awning, so he can't see all the feeders.

We definitely have "dominant" pairs that try to protect the fountain. But they can't. There are much larger birds using it too. That's when the juvies and less dominant pairs swoop in.

I can't have Hummer feeders, in my yard, the Finches and bees completely overpower them and will drain one, in a day. Water has been my Hummer' answer.

 

[QC]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

Usually we do have a pond running, but I honestly don't recall them ever drinking water??? I thought they got that from the nectar. AZ is definitely different than here. I figured more transients from Mexico when it is hot, so different than JB too. But I could be all wet just like my Hummers aren't . . .

 

[DJ]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

We definitely have "dominant" pairs that try to protect the fountain. But they can't. There are much larger birds using it too. That's when the juvies and less dominant pairs swoop in.

I can't have Hummer feeders, in my yard, the Finches and bees completely overpower them and will drain one, in a day. Water has been my Hummer' answer.

Speaking of bees. These are NOT the humble honey bees of my childhood. Those bees, of yesteryear, just seemed to be "around" without bothering anyone.

The bees that frequented my Hummer feeders were aggressive and nasty. They sensed someone in the backyard and attacked. Feeders gone, nasty bees gone.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Hummingbird issue . . .

I would put up another feeder far enough away where the bad little birdie can not guard both of them as rosco said. We have had more than the usual numbers here in NC this year,