Humming Birds Have Hit New Jersey

[redfishbluefish]

I know it's early, but the little guys have hit southern New Jersey....get your feeders out there. My starting formula is to heat up 2 cups of water, add 1 cup of sugar and then top up to 3 cups.




If you're interested in tracking, the above map came from Hummingbird Central

 

[DYIguy]

I recently read that they might show up early this year with the mild winter- going to put out my feeders this weekend- I'm in Chester, so they may be a few days/ a week away- I do the 1 to 4 recipe- i cup sugar to 4 cups water. I have 5 feeders all around my house- all out of sight of each other

 

[MadReefer]

I hung up couple of hummingbird houses. My neighbor has the feeder so hope they nest in what i have.

 

[DYIguy]

I hung up couple of hummingbird houses. My neighbor has the feeder so hope they nest in what i have.

I've never hung houses, but have always get a bunch of hummers every year- but my property is wooded

 

[redfishbluefish]

I hung up couple of hummingbird houses. My neighbor has the feeder so hope they nest in what i have.

Mark, let us know how the houses work out. I looked into them a couple years ago and at the time they stated that hummers are nest builders and not house livers. They are cute though.

I've never hung houses, but have always get a bunch of hummers every year- but my property is wooded

Woods make a big difference. We use to have undeveloped acres behind us and now just a tree line. Our hummer visits drop drastically when the woods went away....now all houses. My sugar water goes bad before it's all consumed.

 

[MadReefer]

We have a little bit if wooded area. Also, have stray cats and other birds, blue jay, black birds, crow etc.

 

[DYIguy]

" My sugar water goes bad before it's all consumed".. I make a quart of food at a time but only fill the feeders halfway at first, don't fill them until the babies are out of the nest. I store my unused food in the fridge

 

[Mark_C]

Got mine out yesterday. Picked up a few new ones from Amazon, reviews saying these things are tops, hopefully so.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B095J59XRM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[DYIguy]

I prefer the ones with ant/wasp guards-- look similar though

https://www.amazon.com/Perky-Pet-403CP-Plastic-Hummingbird-8-Ounce/dp/B00IBFYT3A/ref=sr_1_25?crid=1JHF5X1R4UB4U&keywords=hummingbird+feeder&qid=1682187824&sprefix=humm%2Caps%2C1484&sr=8-25

 

[radiata]

I researched humming bird houses a few years back. The best position for one is under an eave of your home. The problem with that is that hummingbirds actually sh*t both sideways and forcibly, decorating the side of your home with interesting patterns.

I recollect that they're a bit territorial too, limiting a home to probably just one on your property.

 

[radiata]

Anyone seen any Goldfinches yet? My first annual sighting is usually on my Magnolia when the tree first blooms. But the Magnolia started blooming a good two weeks ago, and no Goldfinches yet. My friend Warren, at Sea Level, just returned from an 11-day birding trip to Mexico. He says he saw many of them there.

 

[MadReefer]

Anyone seen any Goldfinches yet? My first annual sighting is usually on my Magnolia when the tree first blooms. But the Magnolia started blooming a good two weeks ago, and no Goldfinches yet. My friend Warren, at Sea Level, just returned from an 11-day birding trip to Mexico. He says he saw many of them there.

My neighbor had about 8 at his feeder last week.

 

[DYIguy]

I researched humming bird houses a few years back. The best position for one is under an eave of your home. The problem with that is that hummingbirds actually sh*t both sideways and forcibly, decorating the side of your home with interesting patterns.

I recollect that they're a bit territorial too, limiting a home to probably just one on your property.

They are very territorial, later in the season, mine will guard the feeder they 'own' and chase all others away. I have multiple feeders, most are hung from the eves on each side of the house- out of sight of each other and outside windows for my viewing pleasure

 

[MadReefer]

We hung 2 HB houses, one on each side of the house for territorial reasons. Hope, they sue them.

 

[Mark_C]

Anyone seen any Goldfinches yet? My first annual sighting is usually on my Magnolia when the tree first blooms. But the Magnolia started blooming a good two weeks ago, and no Goldfinches yet. My friend Warren, at Sea Level, just returned from an 11-day birding trip to Mexico. He says he saw many of them there.

We had one last weekend on a feeder, haven't seen him since though.
Also, we have a pair of sparrows in our awning that have already hatched chicks. Seems early.

 

[DYIguy]

So much for them getting here early-- finally saw my first a couple of days ago- and numbers seem to be down. I put up a mirror so I can chill watching my tank and keep an eye on one of my feeders- double chill

 

[DYIguy]

My chair with a view. This view is when I turn my chair around at my computer desk- the feeder seen in the bottom is from a mirror- I get to see that one when working on the computer- now I just have to get a bigger mirror so I can see the tank when working on the computer lol

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Here in NC, I get humming birds all year. We take special precautions during the cold months to help protect them.