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Re: Carroll Co. Birds 6/25/08 / HUMMINGBIRD QUESTION

From:

Patricia Valdata

Reply-To:

Patricia Valdata

Date:

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:01:23 -0400

I had one brief visit from a male in may, then nothing until two weeks ago.
Now we have one bird, maybe two, and I think both are female, which is
what we usually have.

I found a hummingbird nest on the driveway last month after a big storm,
but I don't know if it was new or last year's. Incredibly soft little 
thing, and
pretty clean looking, so I suspect it was new. If so,  wonder if the 
birds rebuilt.

Another question: I use a Humzinger feeder, and I have a determined group
of sugar ants that have decided the ant moat is not an obstacle. They go inside
and form a raft about the size of a quarter. I can't tell if the ants 
on the bottom of the
raft drown or if they all change places, but I am getting tired of 
having ants in the feeder
all the time. It is harder to clean and the hummer doesn't always 
land on the perch now
because of the ants running around.

Do hummingbirds eat ants? If so, I will live with it so she can have
her "tootsie rolls." But if they are a problem for her, is there a way
to discourage ants without harming the hummer?

--Pat

Pat Valdata, Elkton, MD | 
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
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