Wood Thrush Notes

End of Summer-Early Fall Notes

We have received more than a few calls recently regarding the very noticeable slowdown at feeders in recent weeks. The degree of slowdown may vary each year but without a doubt September and October are the two slowest bird feeding months of the year. My 28 years of tracking sales data backs this statement up. We always sell far less seed and suet during these two months. So why does it slow down?

There are two reasons why feeder activity slows down at this time. Feeder activity is at peak level during the breeding-nesting season, between the months of March and July. We get used to the abundance of birds visiting our feeders and many of us are filling feeders frequently, every other day if not more. While nesting and raising young birds take full advantage, but do not rely on our feeders. Raising young takes a tremendous amount of energy and rather than having to forage for food at greater distances they will increase their visits to feeders exponentially, thereby staying closer to the nest and their valuable offspring. And many of our feeder birds will nest twice per breeding season. So, the first reason for the slowdown is the breeding season for our year round and summer resident birds has long been over, for at least a month and a half. The need for “extra” food has passed.

The second reason is by the end of summer and beginning of fall plants are producing seeds, nuts, and fruit. Beneficial insects chocked with protein are still very much available. Instinctually, birds cannot pass up the abundance of natural foods and variety now available. Therefore, the feeders that were important to them in the spring and summer become less important now. With no young to attend to they have little to do but feed on what nature is offering and to cache food for later use. Sure, you will still get birds visiting your feeders but not like during the breeding season. This would also explain why we rarely see Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at our feeders in the fall on their return trip to the tropics, when they are such prominent feeder birds in spring. Natural food is everywhere and unless something occurs to prevent food production, like a drought, birds will gravitate to it before going to feeders.

As much as the business owner side of me hates to see the slowdown I also appreciate the opportunity to point out birds do not rely on or survive on our feeders, as many people mistakenly believe.

Experience says by mid-November, or earlier if there are a couple of good frosts, you will see a return to busy feeders. So, don’t think something has happened to our birds. It really is just birds being wild animals acting on thousands of years of instinct. They will return to your feeders. By the way, this slowdown is a great opportunity to give your feeders a thorough cleaning.

Molting

Have you been finding feathers around your yard, or maybe seen some really funky looking Cardinals or Bluejays recently? Seeing Cardinals or Jays with an alarming lack of feathers on their heads is quite common after the breeding season.

Molting is the process by which birds lose damaged or worn out feathers with new ones providing them not only with healthy new feathers but often a new look to their plumage in the form of new colors or patterns that may indicate a bird’s age, sex, or season of the year.  Feathers are comparable to our hair or nails made from the same basic ingredient, keratin.  

Molt is not a “one size fits all” occurrence.  There is great variation by species and even by individual from year to year.  While molt is associated with this time of year any time a bird loses a feather a new one will immediately begin to grow in its place. 

Occasionally, Cardinals and Bluejays will lose all their head feathers in a short amount of time and while it takes a while for the new ones to grow in the result will be a bald bird.  I’ve seen a number of male Cardinals recently that were in between bald and the emergence of new feathers.  They look rather odd as their heads under the feathers are dark gray to black.

Molting Cardinal

Hummingbirds Getting Plump

I’ve seen some chubby hummers at the feeders lately as they continue to feed heavily and store fat for their long journey.  There’s plenty of time remaining to enjoy hummingbirds as they prepare for their return to Central and South America.  While you may have already seen a reduction in numbers of hummers at your feeders keep in mind Ruby-throated hummingbirds continue to head south from as far as Canada.  These very birds may show up at your feeders at some point weeks from now so keep the fresh nectar coming and your feeders clean.  Earlier in September I was in Maine and had several sightings of hummingbirds.  Isn’t it amazing when you consider the distance traveled by these little dynamos?

Wood Thrush Notes: First Migrants Arrive in TN.

Sale Continues and GBBC

Our February sale continues through this Saturday the 18th on all bird feeding related products. Seed and feed, and all bird feeders and accessories are marked down. Get ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count which takes place Feb. 17-21. Take part in this fun activity where your backyard bird data is used by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Visit www.birdcount.org for more information.

First Neotropical Migrants Arrive in TN

We naturally think of migration happening in “spring” and “fall”, however, spring migration has already begun and just last Saturday some of the earliest songbirds arriving from Central and South America were spotted in a couple of locations in TN by avid birdwatchers. One location, the Duck River Unit of TN National Wildlife Refuge in Waverly, is a very popular and productive birdwatching location.

Neotropical means relating to or denoting a zoogeographical region comprising Central and South America, including the tropical southern part of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Tree swallows were spotted in both Chattanooga and Waverly. Tree swallows are a beautiful bird that we see with regularity using Bluebird boxes statewide. We have had customers report having Tree swallows in Bluebird boxes for many years now. Tree swallows are primarily insect consumers, but unlike other swallows, can eat plant foods which help them survive potential wintery weather of early spring. Tree swallows are often seen in open field areas away from trees but get their name from commonly nesting in tree cavities.

Tree Swallow

The Swallow family in general is among the earliest migrating birds to return to N. Am. every spring. This family consists of Purple Martins, Tree, Cliff, Rough-winged, and Barn swallows.

Spring migration for Ruby-throated hummingbirds, as usual, is closer to April. It is not uncommon for a few hummingbirds to be seen and reported the last week of March, but the vast majority of Ruby-throated hummingbirds will arrive in, or pass through, TN between the first of April and mid-May.

Fall Slowdown and Fall Hummers

Fall Slowdown

Many of you have already noticed a slow down at your feeders. Sometimes it can be abrupt and dramatic. You may even notice some species become practically non-existent. Bird feeders in September and October are typically very quiet. This is surprising to some but actually normal and understandable. With the conclusion of the breeding season birds are now in less need of the quick, easy food source at your feeders. While raising their young during the months of March through July birds expend tremendous amounts of energy raising young and will take great advantage of backyard feeders. We sell more seed and suet during those months than we do in winter.

Young birds are mostly independent now and the lives of adult birds are at a much more leisurely pace. In addition nature is producing an abundance of food at this time. Not only are insects still plentiful but every tree, shrub, weed, and wildflower are producing seeds, nuts, and fruit. There is literally food for birds everywhere. It is a great example of the fact that birds do not rely on our feeders but simply take advantage of them in times of more demand for food. So, don’t worry that you are not seeing many birds around the feeders right now. It is totally normal. About the time we get the first frost or two, you will begin to see a return of your favorite birds to feeders. I don’t know about you but a good frost sounds good right about now.

By the time October arrives you will begin to see a few of our winter visitors, like Junco’s, White-throated sparrows, Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Kinglets, and hopefully, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Although, with the Pine siskin issues (salmonella) we had last winter I would prefer they not visit us this winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will continue to be present through October though their numbers will be fewer with each week that passes. The peak of hummer feeding activity has likely passed so I reduce the numbers of feeders I offer by a few. As mid-October arrives I will continue to offer at least two feeders. And because there is always a remote possibility of a western hummingbird showing up I will leave one feeder out beyond Thanksgiving.

Rare Mexican Violetear

Each year a few people around the mid-state are pleasantly surprised to discover a hummingbird investigating a feeder that may have been inadvertently left out with no nectar. Two customers within 3 miles of The Wood Thrush Shop experienced Rufous hummingbirds last fall. Western hummingbirds that have regularly been seen in TN include Rufous, Anna’s, and Black-chinned. Last year a Mexican Violetear was trapped and banded in Montgomery Co. For more information about wintering hummingbirds you may want to visit southeastavianresearch.org

Hummingbirds, The Fun is About to Start!

Here we are at the beginning of August and the time has come for Ruby-throated hummingbirds to ramp up their interest in feeders and the action will be fast and furious now through the end of September until as late as mid-October. Hummingbird nesting is likely near conclusion. If you have been discouraged by the lack of hummingbird activity thus far this summer now is the time to make fresh nectar, clean up the feeder and try again.

For many of you the spring and early summer months produce little if any activity at your feeders. Why? Let’s not forget Ruby-throated hummingbirds DO NOT make the long journey here from Central and South America for the sugar water in feeders. They DO NOT NEED the feeders but will take full advantage of them when they are through nesting and fattening up for migration becomes their primary goal. Hummingbirds have been migrating here for thousands of years to breed and to take advantage of the abundance of insects, which is their primary food source. They would be here even if hummingbird feeders did not exist.

It is thought by many the reason for this sudden surge is they have just "come back" from where they've been. Actually, it is because summer resident hummingbirds have concluded raising one, two, or even three broods of offspring and are ready to begin taking advantage of nectar in feeders.

Ruby-throated hummers usually raise two chicks at a time so when the nesting phase concludes you may be seeing at least 6 young hummers coming to feeders. The youngsters, male and female, look very much like adult females. Then as hummingbirds from more northern locations begin funneling through TN in late August and into September the fun really begins. Wave after wave of hummingbirds begin passing through TN on their way to the Gulf of Mexico where they will eventually find their path across. Hummingbird migration is triggered by the days now getting shorter, not necessarily temperature or weather.

The best nectar you can offer hummingbirds is a simple 1 part sugar to 4 parts water solution. It is not necessary for the water to be brought to a boil before adding sugar. The nectar is ready after the sugar has been stirred in and fully dissolved. Do not add color. Color is absolutely unnecessary and potentially harmful. Also it is bad to use natural raw sugar, the kind that is slightly brown in color. Regular white table sugar is best. When making larger batches for refrigeration boiling the water is recommended.

As October approaches and numbers of hummingbirds have decreased significantly it is good to keep at least one feeder out to provide late migraters a “fueling” station. It is not true that leaving a feeder out will cause hummingbirds to stay and ultimately not migrate.

Summer Hummer Notes

This week’s blog addresses a few of the questions we get on a daily basis this time of year. Without a doubt the number one question asked is “where are the hummingbirds”, or “is there something wrong with the hummingbirds this year”? The answers are the hummingbirds are here, and no there is nothing wrong. As far as we are concerned this is business as usual when it comes to the timing of hummingbird activity. Rate of feeding activity can vary year to year based on factors like excess rain, or drought. In past years, during very dry weather, we would see hummingbirds visit feeders earlier and more often for lack of natural nectar producing choices. This year there has been ample rainfall producing plenty of natural nectar opportunities. And of course hummers consume insects for the protein in their diet. There’s never a lack of insects in TN summers.

Widespread, powerful spring storms, such as the straight line winds we experienced about 2 months ago, could possibly have destroyed many hummingbirds’ nests in progress causing them to start from the beginning. And we know from experience hummingbirds are typically not extremely interested in our nectar feeders until nesting is concluded. So these two factors could cause a delay in hummingbirds looking to take advantage of feeders in areas hit hard by spring storms.

But mostly the reason hummingbirds are not seen in early summer as much as they are in the latter half of July, August, and September, is because they are here to nest and sugar water is just not critical to their normal daily lives. Any day now, though, as nesting concludes, hummers will begin to look to feeders with more interest. This is when 1 or 2 broods of babies will have left the nest, parenting responsibilities of the adult females is done, and the process of fattening up for a couple of months to prepare for migration back to Central and South America begins.

Other voiced concerns in regard to hummingbird feeders include the presence of Downy woodpeckers and House finches, two species of birds that often take advantage of the sweet water in hummingbird feeders, but not to worry, they will not deter a hummingbird. Feisty and aggressive hummingbirds are not concerned with either of these birds and will harass them until they leave, or move over.

Bees and wasps on the other hand can be a problem, particularly Yellow jackets.  Hummers are no match for a feeder covered with this aggressive bee.  Strategies to reduce the impact of bees on hummingbird feeders include: 

• Take the feeder down for a few days, or move the feeder to a different location.  Hummingbirds seem to be better at discovering the new location easier than bees. 

• It is believed bees and wasps are most attracted to the color yellow. Since many hummingbird feeders have yellow plastic "flowers" or other parts, try removing such parts or painting them red - once bees learn where food is, they fly back to the hive to report their findings, so avoiding their attention works best.

• It may also help to rub a little vegetable oil or a clove of garlic around the feeding ports.

• The Aspects brand Hummzinger, or the Bird’s Choice Hummerfest are the best feeders of choice to deter bees.  It’s “dish” design never allows the nectar to touch the feeding ports like bottle type feeders.  Hummingbirds can easily reach the bottom of these feeders with their long tongues.

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Aspects Hummzinger High View available in 8, 12, 16 ounces.

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Birds Choice Hummerfest available in 8 and 12 ounces.

Make no mistake, though, the hummingbird activity at feeders is very close to being very busy. If you have been disappointed in the response to your feeders thus far and given up now is the time to make some new nectar, clean up the feeder, and get it back out. If the sugar solution in your feeder turns cloudy, it's spoiled and needs to be replaced. This can happen in as little as two days in the kind of heat we are experiencing this week.

And a reminder that the proper solution is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Do not add color or honey which can be harmful.

Have a nice weekend and we’ll see you soon.