What I see in my backyard...

[dianne137]

thanks Lanny

my observations of hummers are a bit different as I don't feed them with syrop. I use plants.I don't get the no.s but I get generations returning.They are territorial and return to nests.I can't actually see the nest sight because it"s so high up in the holy trees amount the rampant Honey suckle.But every year when they come back they buss my face as if to check that it's still me!Right up close as they can get.Also I have sky lights and sometimes I have to rescue a baby that has gotten confused thinking its a fun way to travel in the front door.Then I have to bring in the extension ladder and climb up 18 feet and without hesitation pick the poor thing off of the glass first try so they don't bash themselves.They recover in my hand quick as a wink the're off to the tree tops and I install the bead curtain cause I don't want to do that again!Iv'e never lost a one since I learned that my hand is the best tool for such an effort. I'm almost always alone when this happens and I am very carefull.My friend says that Dandylion seed is an important food for hummers so I don't cut till the seed is dispersed.I have a wild yard that I bush wack on occasion.

 

[Richard Brown]

Here are some photos taken on the iPad from our garden pod.










The magpies are a nuisance, digging holes in the lawn.







Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[dianne137]

They are after your worms?Water deep!Or maybe the Magpies would just dig deeper?

 

[scifan57]

Here are some photos taken on the iPad from our garden pod.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40845"/>

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40846"/>

The magpies are a nuisance, digging holes in the lawn.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40847"/>

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40848"/>

Sent from my iPad using iPF

Is the black and white bird in your last photo a Magpie?

 

[Czevski]

This is one lazy squirrel. He may be the one that amuses me daily with dumb antics.

 

[Richard Brown]

Is the black and white bird in your last photo a Magpie?

Yes, it is. Magpies are very intelligent. I've seen a group attacking a jay. Despite the crafty plan of attack by the magpies the jay managed to hold them at bay.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[scifan57]

Yes, it is. Magpies are very intelligent. I've seen a group attacking a jay. Despite the crafty plan of attack by the magpies the jay managed to hold them at bay.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

We have magpies here, as well. Ours are about the size of crows.

 

[LannyC]

My friend says that Dandylion seed is an important food for hummers so I don't cut till the seed is dispersed.

Hummingbirds are essentially carnivores, and don't eat seeds at all (nectar is just fuel for chasing bugs). However, dandelion fluff is one of the soft plant fibers that might be used to line a hummer's nest. Thistle, milkweed, and cattail down are also popular.

This post handcrafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled electrons.

 

[dianne137]

thanks Lanny I love to learn

 

[skimonkey]

The one I have is plastic and flatish..but as those sucker things on it...so you attach it to a window. I have a bay window in my kitchen...so I'm going to mount in there and hope I can take pics from inside though the window....we shall see.

Looking forward to seeing your pics, Aq! I haven't bought a window one yet. I really don't have a place to put it that is easy to change in and out! A friend has one and she has beautiful pics of hummers going at it!!

 

[skimonkey]

Regarding hummingbird feeders, the flat ones are the easiest to clean, and they deter bees by keeping the syrup out of their reach. However, they only hold 8 ounces, which won't last a day if you have tons of hummers. Of course, you can offer several small feeders instead of one large one. I have three of them hanging now, and will go to five or six as the season progresses. My favorite is the HummZinger, also sold as the Wild Birds Unlimited store brand.

Hummingbirds quickly learn to recognize feeders as food sources as soon as they leave the nest, and I don't think the design much matters to them. What is important is that they feel safe while feeding. Good visibility of approaching predators and proximity to a place to escape from danger (dense shrubbery, e.g.) make a location ideal. All of my feeders hang in windows, so I can watch them easily.

To attract lots of birds, consistency is the key: keep your feeders clean and fresh, and don't let them run dry. Mix one part sugar to four parts tap water, and clean/change the feeder when it begins getting cloudy (starts to spoil). No boiling is necessary, as it won't deter spoilage anyway--the mold and bacteria are transported to the feeder by the hummingbirds themselves, from the flowers they visit.

I'm not allowed to post a link to my hummingbird website, but if you want more info you can Google "hummingbirds" and it will be the first site listed.

This post handcrafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled electrons.

Great info, lanny!

Thanks for the helpful tips! Will keep all that in mind. I read that the less sugar you put the more hummingbirds you get and will cause less of a territorial issue. Not sure If you heard of that at all?

thanks Lanny

my observations of hummers are a bit different as I don't feed them with syrop. I use plants.I don't get the no.s but I get generations returning.They are territorial and return to nests.I can't actually see the nest sight because it"s so high up in the holy trees amount the rampant Honey suckle.But every year when they come back they buss my face as if to check that it's still me!Right up close as they can get.Also I have sky lights and sometimes I have to rescue a baby that has gotten confused thinking its a fun way to travel in the front door.Then I have to bring in the extension ladder and climb up 18 feet and without hesitation pick the poor thing off of the glass first try so they don't bash themselves.They recover in my hand quick as a wink the're off to the tree tops and I install the bead curtain cause I don't want to do that again!Iv'e never lost a one since I learned that my hand is the best tool for such an effort. I'm almost always alone when this happens and I am very carefull.My friend says that Dandylion seed is an important food for hummers so I don't cut till the seed is dispersed.I have a wild yard that I bush wack on occasion.

Wow--Dianne! Sounds like you have a lot of hummingbirds in your backyard! I didn't realize that dandelion seed is an important food for them as well! Will need to research that a little so I understand it a bit more.

 

[skimonkey]

Here are some photos taken on the iPad from our garden pod.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40845"/>

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40846"/>

The magpies are a nuisance, digging holes in the lawn.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40847"/>

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40848"/>

Sent from my iPad using iPF

Your pic of a magpie is very unique, Richard! I don't think we have those around my place, or haven't seen any like that!

Your backyard is shaping up nicely and your pod looks like it's being used well!

 

[skimonkey]

This is one lazy squirrel. He may be the one that amuses me daily with dumb antics.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=40851"/>

Great pic of your squirrel, Czevski!

He sure does look like he is suntanning doesn't he??

 

[skimonkey]

Here a pic of my squirrels-perched on an old farm post....

 

[leelai]

Looking forward to seeing your pics, Aq! I haven't bought a window one yet. I really don't have a place to put it that is easy to change in and out! A friend has one and she has beautiful pics of bummers going at it!!

Really? What do bummers look like.