hummingbird migration 2019

[Howieh]

Ok, it's my fault, I did it, I own it, I take full responsibility...last week Journey North reported hummers just south of Lake Erie so I made some nectar and put out the feeder. Unfortunately, Mother Nature spotted it and decided to turn her weather clock back to early March!! I guess I should have known to at least wait until the juncos are gone but I didn't and now we're all suffering! Btw, does anyone else have their hummingbird feeders out?

[MEGHAN]

I wondered who was to blame for this weather.
I should have known  :roll:
Mine will go out on May 01. Same with the Oriole feeder
Hope you've been well Howie

[Axeman]

Well I for one thank you....I'm grateful for winter's return....

         :?

Any tips on feeders? We have lots of hummers around but I don't get a lot of action at my feeders...typical type of feeder...and I use commercial mix....

A few years back....OK...like nearly 12....I donned a baseball cap from a Liberal election campaign and was standing on my deck...I heard loud buzzing and thought to myself "That's one large bee...that's flying very close to me"...and then I felt forceful tapping against my head....the cap...male RTH....thought it hit the mother lode of nectar....only to realize it was just a big solid red rock. True fact.

[Howieh]

Thanks Meghan, depends who you ask; Doc says I'm ok, but then, he doesn't live on pain killers so what does he know?? My hummingbird feeder IS my Oriole feeder(!) and they seem to get along with the hummers who are usually happy to wait their turn to feed. First sighting of 2018 was on May 3 (about a week earlier than usual) but I don't think they will arrive early this year because of the lousy weather. Btw, do your orioles hang around all summer? Mine are usually gone by the end of May.

Axeman, I'm surprised you have hummers and not much action at your feeders. My neighbour has some plainly visible honeysuckle which is completely ignored by the hummers who always head straight for my feeder. I'm not sure it matters but is your feeder close to a protective area where they hide if danger threatens? FWIW, my feeder is the standard 4 flower Perky-Pet, complete with ant moat that works really well until it dries up! Only problem is a bit of leakage but the hummers love it.

[MEGHAN]

First male showed up today. Same day as 3 years ago and earlier that recent years. I bet that sugar water is cold
As for the Orioles, I used to put nectar out for them as well, but they never drank from their own feeder, just used the Hummingbird feeder. So now all I put out for them is oranges and jelly. They use the Hummingbird feeder for sugar water occasionally.
Some years I have them all summer. One year they even brought their young to my yard. But other years they are gone by the end of May as well. They usually come back in late summer for a couple of weeks before they leave. Every year is different. Last year they came back in late summer so the jelly feeder went back out. Cracked open a brand new jar of jelly and 2 days later they were gone.  :roll:
I haven't heard them this year yet, but this weekend is my usually first sighting date.

Meghan

[Axeman]

I use hottish water to dissolve the powder....but then it must cool...to the ambient temp....no?

[Howieh]

I had a male hummer around for about 3 hours on May 7 but still no regulars. First Oriole arrived a few minutes ago but was spooked by a black squirrel before I could get a photo. Beautiful bird, hope he's back soon!