FOY Hummer

[MEGHAN]

My first Male Hummingbird showed up today and he was quite impressed to see I already had the feeders out for him.

South Mississauga between Lorne Park and Port Credit.

Meghan

[rcflier]

Meghan - is it likely hummers might show up at the rhododendron gardens (your nieghbourhood?)  in mississauga?  tnx, bob

[Howieh]

I was out taking (cloud?) pictures, turned around and there was a male at my feeder. Fortunately I was using the small P&S and was able to get a fairly long video. That was about an hour ago and he hasn't been back since but he headed for the woods across the street (to the south) so I am hopeful he is staying around. I also have white crowned and chipping sparrows at the regular feeder - a nice change from the hoards of house sparrows that have been here all winter!

Also lots of red admirals, question marks and commas still streaming by.

[MEGHAN]

Meghan - is it likely hummers might show up at the rhododendron gardens (your nieghbourhood?) in mississauga? tnx, bob

Hey Bob, sorry for the late reply.
As for birding Rhododendron Gardens, I am quite embarrassed to say I have not been to that park in over 10 years. More embarrassing is the fact that it is right across the street from me.
That being said I could not tell you if it would be good for Hummingbirds because, besides rhododendron, I don't know what other flowers are planted in the park. I would say I see a fair amount of Baltimore Orioles flying back and forth from there. I am not sure where you live but In the area I would suggest Rattray Marsh for Hummingbirds but not until the jewelweed is in full bloom. Later in the summer. The Hummers are quite common there and if you get a good patch of Jewelweed then you are set.
If all else fails feel free to stop over at my place. I have Hummingbirds buzzing around my garden all summer.  

Meghan

[Howieh]

If all else fails feel free to stop over at my place. I have Hummingbirds buzzing around my garden all summer.  

Meghan

Hi Meghan,

I put my feeder out in late March(?) and my first male didn't show up until May 4'th. I saw another male the next day but nothing since then. Are your 'regulars' around yet? I didn't put my feeder up last year until late June but a couple of females showed up the next day and stayed all summer! Guess there's nothing to do but wait and in the meantime I'll keep on chasing butterflies (Whatta a great year for leps!).

[MEGHAN]

Hey Howieh,


It's that time of year again!!!
I  have had my feeders out since the middle of March as well  
Now I have at least 2 males and 1 or 2 females have returned as of today. Both male and female Orioles are back and stuffing themselves on jelly and oranges. One of the females was even trying to get the nectar out of the hummingbird feeder today. I know they do this but I have never seen it. What a mess she made!! The feeder was swaying all over the place, nectar was flying. So of course, what do I do…go out and buy and Oriole specific nectar feeder. Can you saw sucker!! Yup that's me.
I can't tell for sure yet if the hummers are my regulars. I think they are .I have set the feeders up in the same places as last year and they come in and go right to them. So I am assuming they are returning, because they seem familiar with the set up and at ease around me and my 3 large dogs. For the last few years I have had one super territorial female who calls my backyard home all summer. She has a distinctive small white dot on the top of her head so I know it is her. Plus she is easy to recognize because she is a total b**ch. She hasn't returned yet so there is peace in the backyard for now. But once (if) she returns it is crazy back there. She will kick out anything that comes over my fence. Squirrels, any size or kind of other birds. Of course other hummers. She has even buzzed the face of my dogs. She knocked a baby Oriole right off the fence last year. She just sits up in the tree waiting…as soon as something breaches the perimeter out of the tree she pops and puts the boots to it.   It doesn't stop the other hummers from coming around to feed, but they make sure they do it super fast and get out of there. It makes for some great dog fights and it is endlessly entertaining. I have another female with a white stripe down the top of her beak. She arrived a bit later than last year. More towards the middle of summer. She's not back yet either. Other than that I have no way of telling if they are "my" Hummingbirds. I usually just base it on how they behave when around the garden. New ones to my feeders kind of stand out because you cannot even blink too loud or they bolt. The regulars just sit around and will even hover in the air around me when I am bringing out a clean, filled feeder.
So keep those feeders full and clean and see how many you get this year.
The only thing bad about them? They are so awesome to watch that I have almost been late work many days in the summer.  

Meghan

[Howieh]

Hi Meghan,

Thanks a million for that great response, which btw must have taken quite a bit of your time to compose! After a fantastic butterfly walk in Earl Bales Park I came home to find at least three and probably four hummers making regular visits to my feeder until well after sunset (can't wait to see who arrives before sunrise - ok, I'm retired so as long as my wife is busy I can watch them all day). The last visitor was a male who set up shop on one of the broken branch perches I set up for taking pictures. I was hoping another hummer would show up before dark no such luck. It's pretty quite otherwise but I do have several white crowned sparrows still hanging around and a pair of chipping sparrows nesting close by.

P.s. what I would give to have a hummer that chases squirrels! (are you spiking the nectar??)

[Howieh]

Except for the odd male, usually just before sunset, I haven't had much action for several days. I wonder if all the females are back yet? I understand some of the hummers don't actually return until late May or early June but it's really quiet now since my white crowned sparrows left last weekend!

[Treen_Ajax]

Hello Meaghan! Do you feed your hummingbirds store bought nectar or homemade?

I hope to have more action in the feeder.

[MEGHAN]

Hello Meaghan! Do you feed your hummingbirds store bought nectar or homemade?

I hope to have more action in the feeder.

Hey sorry for my late reply....again  :oops: ...
I make my own nectar.
4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
I make 4 cups at a time. Then I just put it in a resealable container and put it in the fridge till I need some.
I just find it easier to make my own. No food colouring though!!
If you have any other questions just ask. Next time it won't take a week for me to reply.  

Meghan

[Treen_Ajax]

Thanks Meaghan! Not much action in and around my feeder. Hoping i'll get more.