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Busy Buzzings Around the Ant Moats!
Dawn through early morning would definitely be the best time to catch local bird action around your yard. But let’s face it, not all of us are early-birds and busy schedules don’t always permit those few spare minutes of enriching watch time.With southern migrations underway for many species, it’s a great time to catch the action! Dusk and the hour or two prior offer almost as much (if not more) backyard bird action.
Sitting on the deck last night with about 25 hummingbirds furiously buzzing about seemed almost magical. Sure we’ve had the sprites here all summer, but fewer numbers. Going through 15 pounds of sugar to keep 8 feeders filled and fresh over the last two weeks or so has been extra work but rewarding. So as not to waste a drop of nectar, the ever important ant moat is a true life saver, for the birds and for the wallet!
If you’ve been feeding hummingbirds for any amount of time, it’s likely you’re familiar with the handy-dandy device, but if this is season one of your new hobby, know that one little ant moat will save a whole lot of nectar!Because ants can’t swim, feeders stay protected from the pesky things. But you must keep the moat at least half-full with water. Ants emit something truly nasty to hummingbirds, and it only takes one to ruin a whole feeder full of fresh nectar. With the feeding frenzy going on now, this is a big fat bummer for hummers!
If you’ve had a few sprites visit but are not really seeing them now… something’s wrong! Either nectar is not fresh, there are ants around, or even worse, yellow jackets 🙁 You can minimize the latter by keeping the outside of feeders clean, if they sway or leak, it’s an invitation to the nasty fliers.
Save money and provide hummingbirds the best nectar by making your own! It’s just plain table sugar and water… that’s it! No red dye, and nothing else for the solution as it’s harmful to their health. The standard ratio is 1:4 (1 cup sugar to 4 cups water) but at busy migration times when the hummingbirds are trying to fatten up for the long journey, the solution can be stronger, thus offering more calories. We go 1:3 when they arrive and when they depart.
Treat them well with fresh water sources (like a leaf mister shown here) and fresh food and they’ll grace your place next year. Site fidelity is another cool characteristic of these most intelligent birds!If you put forth a little effort to help migratory birds on their way, you can sit back & enjoy the show.
Safe travels little ones, and we’ll see you next year on the flip side 🙂
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Unique Birdhouses for Cowpoke Wannabe’s
Let’s face it, housing isn’t for everyone, but birds who do use houses will try to set up shop in just about any cavity they deem good for rearing chicks.These include crevices in trees and older abandoned holes from woodpeckers and others who’ve already done the work of excavation.
These spots are becoming more and more scarce, simply invaluable to feathered friends! Competition for these natural nest sites increases tenfold with every passing year, it’s a housing crisis for the birds 🙁
Especially favored among residents like bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and Carolina wrens (to name a few) are proper bird houses! In early spring males will scout territory and nesting sites, from unique birdhouses to natural cavities, they look for suitable and impressive digs to entice a mate.
Some will have only one brood or clutch, or nesting for the season, whereas bluebirds may go onto a 2nd or even 3rd brood! This is why it’s important to remove nests and tidy up bird houses once babies have fledged. So that the spot may be utilized again and maybe even again after that in a single season.
The cowboy birdhouse would be pretty impressive for the Mrs.! It’s durable poly-stone (which helps regulate ambient temperatures) complete with bottom clean-out and 1.5-inch entry. Plus it’s cute as all with western flair and fine detail.
A little larger scale but still great space for a bird family is the cowboy hat birdhouse! This one’s metal so it’s best placed in the shade. Actually full sun on any birdhouse can be detrimental in summer’s heat. Always best to minimize direct exposure to early morning if possible – avoid late afternoon sun at all costs… it’s just too hot for nestlings inside the house.
Keep your bird houses up through winter as they provide ideal roosting spots on cold nights and protection from predators. Although migration is underway for many species, resident birds will stick around through winter if the habitat is suitable.Offering fresh water (heated birdbath), a variety of food (seed and suet) and places to roost (housing and mature trees and shrubs) will ensure feathered friends grace your place through winter doldrums 🙂
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A Straight Up Kind of Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
By straight up we mean no gadgets, gizmos or batteries- just a straight up good design that works well! The Classic Feeders by BirdsChoice, and The Big Top by Droll Yankees are two off the bat. Nuttery has been making their cool feeders for 20 years. Wildly popular in the UK, and now available in the US. They’re mod and colorful squirrel proof bird feeders for peanuts, suet or seed.
The horizontal launching point (HLP) must always be considered when placing ANY feeder. What is HLP? Ok, we made it up but it really does exist! When furry acrobats are able to access a feeder by jumping sideways from a structure, tree, limb, fence, or anything which might present them a launching opportunity! Some can fly as far as 8-10 feet sideways.
Although the term squirrel-proof is used rather loosely, we’re not sure if anything really and truly fits the bill? But there are definitely some feeders that fall within 98%.
In hanging or pole mount with built-in baffle, the Classic is… well pretty much classic! It’s been around at least 25 years which says something for the design itself. The hanging style comes in two sizes with a weather guard to protect seed ports and birds from rain and snow. Squirrels just can’t reach down far enough to access seed. With the pole-mount feeder (weather guard optional) they can not get passed the baffle… it’s both genius and simple and above all, time-tested.
No need to make a headache for yourself (or your birds) when there’s some great squirrel-resistant feeders out there!
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