Folks
Please remember to keep feeding the hummers. In the fall migrants will stop
by and a boost in energy can be had from your feeder. They still have a
long way to go to the wintering grounds, and the extra energy might insure
there success on the trip. I generally up the sugar to 3 to 1, but 4 to 1
water to sugar is good.. Keep the feeder clean as well.
Also, this is becoming the time when out-of-season, out-of-range
hummingbirds start to show up. We still are looking for a Black-chinned in
MD. One showed up in DC about 2003. The MD state hummingbird list
currently consists of Rufous, Allen's, Anna's, and Calliope, besides our
resident nesting Ruby-throated. I have the hummingbird banders waiting for
my call that we have some fall hummers to investigate. Put the feeder in a
location you can see everyday so you will know you have a hummer so you can
contact me. If it is going to be real cold at night, bring the feeder in
so it does not freeze. It is not useful for a bird to show up hungry to a
frozen breakfast. The non breeding birds can show up anywhere so stay
vigilant.
Remember last December we added the state's first Allen's, so keep your
feeder out until at least Christmas. If you go to
http://www.mdbirds.org/publications/yellowthroat/pdf/yt2902.pdf there is an
article in the Maryland Yellowthroat that gives you more details.
My contact information:
George Jett
301-843-3524 home
301-752-9240 cell
Thanks for the hummingbirds and from me.
George
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