Wood Thrush Notes

Hummingbird Activity to Increase Soon

In the next couple of weeks we should all begin to see more hummingbird activity at our feeders.  I’ve seen considerably more just in the past few days.  Hummingbird feeders will be significantly more important to our Ruby-throated hummingbirds in the coming weeks and months as they conclude nesting and begin feeding heavily in preparation for fall migration.  Most of us do not see a lot of hummingbird activity until mid-July as females are fully involved with nesting responsibilities and the males are guarding their territory and food sources.  Hummer feeders are just not that important to them during this time as nectar from flowers and the insects they consume are readily available.  People often mistakenly think hummingbirds NEED our feeders.  They don’t, but will take advantage of them when the time is right and the feeder and nectar are in good condition.  Making sure your feeders are clean and nectar is fresh is always important but especially now when temperatures are high and as birds begin to use them more. 

  Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (RTH), like many migrant birds, go through hyperphagia prior to migration, meaning they eat almost continuously. They ramp up their consumption of nectar from plants and sugar water from feeders while consuming large quantities of tiny insects that are full of fats and proteins. The sugar is used up almost instantly during daily activities but the protein from insects helps strengthen their flight muscles. All the energy-rich yellow fat accumulates in little storage pockets which are visible when the feathers are gently pushed aside, like when a licensed bander has one in hand.

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Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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Hummingbird fat pockets

An adult male RTH will weigh approximately 3 grams during summer but put on as much as 2.5 grams of weight by the time it is ready to head south.  They will nearly double their weight during hyperphagia.

So, if you haven’t been paying attention to your feeders because of lack of activity make sure your feeders are clean and you have fresh nectar. August and September are THE busiest hummingbird feeding months here in Middle TN so be prepared. 

The proper nectar formula is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.  Do not use brown, or raw sugar, and never use honey.  Regular white table sugar is best.  If you are making a small amount, like a cup, boiling the water is unnecessary.  Thoroughly stir the sugar until it is completely dissolved and the water is clear.  To make larger quantities it makes sense to heat the water enough to completely dissolve the sugar.

Return of the Grosbeak

The first sightings of Rose-breasted grosbeaks are less than a week away! Adult male RBG’s are very easily identified with their black and white plumage and big red V on the chest which really stands out against the stark white underside. The head is hooded with black and the wings are black with two white patches, one at the shoulder and one closer to the wing tip. Female RBG’s are primarily brown and white, with a pale yellowish breast and belly and a prominent white eyebrow. They have been described as looking like a House finch on steroids. The beak is large enabling this bird to crack open all kinds of seeds and capture insects which are a significant part of their diet during the breeding season.

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Fortunately for us, RBGs are extremely easy to attract to feeders during their migration and don’t require anything special. Offerings of sunflower, safflower, peanuts, and even suet are likely to yield good results. The song of the male Grosbeaks has been described as sounding like “a robin with operatic training.” While it is possible to hear it here, most likely it will be more common to hear further to the north, east, or west in their breeding range.

Another possible feeder visitor is the Indigo bunting. These beautiful goldfinch sized birds are a summer resident in middle Tennessee and can often be found perched in trees on the edges of meadows or fields, singing to establish their territory. Gossett Tract in Pegram and the greenway trail in Edwin Warner are good places to spot Indigo buntings in the spring and early summer. We have seen these on feeders before, however they are more likely to be spotted feeding on the ground below the feeders.

Indigo Bunting

Last but certainly not least, we will begin hearing the first reported sightings of hummingbirds as they begin to pass through in early April. By mid-April, sightings of hummingbirds will be more common. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see any hummingbirds early on, as activity at feeders doesn’t really pick up until mid-July. As we tell folks, they didn’t travel all this way for sugar water! The reason these tiny travelers leave their winter homes in Central America is to reach their breeding grounds in eastern North America. After their breeding season concludes and they begin to fatten up for their migration back south, that’s when activity at the feeders will begin to pick up. That is why we see such a sharp uptick in feeder activity in late July, August, and into September.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Early Spring Hummingbirds

Every year at this time we regularly answer the question “when will the hummingbirds arrive?” and “when should I put out a feeder?”   The first reported sightings of Ruby-throated hummingbirds (RTH) in middle TN are just a few weeks away.  There are usually a few local sightings by the last week of March while the vast majority of RTH’s begin arriving or passing through between early April and mid-May.  Male hummingbirds tend to arrive ahead of females.   At my home in Cheatam Co. nearly 30 years of taking note of my first RTH sighting is between April 4th and 10th, and always an adult male. 

Some of these early arrivals may rest and feed for a day or two before continuing on their journey to their final destination, which may be as far as Canada.  Those that stay in mid-TN will then begin establishing territory, courting and nesting.  Their interest in feeders is minimal at this time.  Why?  Unless a hard freeze kills blooms and no flowers are available nature provides hummingbirds with everything they could possibly need, which is nectar from plants, and insects for protein.  The first hummingbirds to arrive at my home in Cheatham County usually spend more time at the Columbine blooms than at the feeder.  Early blooming perennials and native plants are a very important nectar source for hummingbirds.  People living in rural areas tend to see hummingbirds earlier and more often than people in more urban areas.  Why? The simple answer is rural areas provide better and more nesting habitat for hummingbirds.

Activiy from the peak part of the season in August.

Temper your expectations.  Do not expect to see a lot of activity early on.  We suggest putting out 1 or 2 feeders with small amounts of nectar the 1st week of April.  There is no need to put out a lot of feeders nor should you fill feeders to capacity.  There just isn’t that much feeding activity early on.  With the cool nights your nectar can last a little longer than in summer but do pay attention to the quality.  You should still change the nectar once or twice a week depending on temperatures.  Keep it fresh and the feeder clean.  This is very important to the health of the hummingbirds.   You must remember Ruby-throated hummingbirds do not need sugar water but only take advantage of it.  If the nectar is not in good condition they will find other sources.   

Hummers will come to feeders more frequently when they are ready and that typically occurs near the end of their breeding season.  Usually, late June to mid-July is when we see an increase in activity at feeders.  Most of the offspring from possibly 2 broods has fledged by then and as August arrives feeding activity will be at its busiest as adults and youngsters visit feeders and pack on weight and energy rich fat in preparation for the migration back.

It is certainly possible you may see a bird or two take advantage of the feeder before moving on to its final destination.   It is not true that if you don’t put out a feeder now you will miss them later in the summer.  Some people wait till July to put a feeder up, and have success.

The Best Solution for Hummingbird Nectar

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 unless you are making larger quantities for storage in the fridge.  The nectar is ready after the sugar has been stirred in and fully dissolved.  Do not add color in the form of food dye. Color is absolutely unnecessary and potentially harmful.  Also, DO NOT use natural raw sugar or honey.  Regular white table sugar is best.

Next week …The Grosbeaks are coming!

And Lights Out Nashville!

Early Summer Hummingbirds

A day doesn’t go by at The Wood Thrush Shop that we are not asked “what’s wrong with the hummingbirds?” “I don’t see any coming to my feeders.” “Are they here”? 

All of our summer resident Ruby-throated hummingbirds are here and well into their first or even second nesting of the season by now.  Like Bluebirds they all don’t start nesting at the same time.  There could be as much as a month difference in the first nesting phase of the earlier arrivals in March and April and the later arrivals in late April to mid-May.

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The nesting phase is the reason people generally see far less of hummingbirds now as opposed to mid-July through September when they are seen so readily at feeders.  One must remember hummingbirds do not come all the way from Central and South America for sugar water.  It’s of little need to them during the first half of their summer residency. They are very satisfied with nectar from flowering plants, and insects for protein. Hummingbird feeders are not in high demand at this time and will serve only for quick visits and a brief drink.  When nesting is near conclusion in mid to late July and early August that is when hummers begin visiting feeders with frequency and intensity to fatten up in preparation for the long migration back to Central and South America. 

With that in mind keep fresh nectar in the feeder but do not fill to capacity.  Small amounts are recommended now to decrease waste and major cleaning of feeders.   In warmer weather with temperatures near 90, nectar is only good for 2-3 days at a time.  If your feeder is getting full sun you may want to adjust to a shadier situation or be prepared to change the nectar even more frequently.

Remember to only use plain white table sugar to make nectar, no brown or raw natural sugar, no honey, and no color.  A 1 part sugar to 4 parts water ratio is the perfect solution.  Making it sweeter is no more appealing or beneficial to the birds. 

Be patient, hummingbirds will begin visiting feeders when they are ready.  We should see an uptick in activity around mid-July.

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We will be closed Monday, June 19th.

We will see you on June 20th!

Wood Thrush Notes: Native plants & Hummingbirds

Consider Native Plants

Many of you, including myself, experienced loss, or at least significant damage, to plants with the rapid temperature drop and freezing weather this winter. Most leafy evergreens really took a hit as wind and subzero temperatures caused leaves to turn brown and drop off. This does not mean the plants are dead, and one will have to wait to see if new growth emerges. But if you are planning on replacing some plants, I suggest choosing native plants.

Habitat loss is the number one reason for species decline as development continues to reduce land once occupied and utilized by insects, birds, and animals. Vast amounts of natural habitat are now becoming islands of habitat. Scientific studies confirm wildlife thrives in greater numbers where gardens are planted with native plants that provide seeds, nuts, fruit and produce valuable blossoms for nectar. Spring is nearly here and gardening will be on your mind. Give some thought to replacing those cultivated varieties of plants with natives and the rewards will be great. Aside from attracting birds that do not visit feeders native plants require less watering, attract pollinators from bees to butterflies, do not require pesticides, survive tough TN growing conditions, and they are beautiful. A great local source and recognized as one of the leading native plant nurseries in the U.S. is GroWild in Fairview, TN. www.growildinc.com

The Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee is another good resource for plants and information. They will be having their annual plant sale on April 8th from 9 am to noon at the Nashville fairgrounds. Visit their website for more information. www.ppsmtn.org

Another organization you may want to be familiar with is Habitat Connection. Habitat Connection is a non-profit organization made up of a small group of people sharing a passionate interest in improving habitat on a small scale, namely our yards. Their goal is to improve the health of our ecosystem in yards and to create connectivity for birds, wildlife, and us. They can help you implement a plan specifically for your yard. Check out their website to learn more, www.thehabitatconnection.org

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When are the hummingbirds coming?

It’s a question we hear a lot in the store beginning in February. We are just 2 ½ weeks away from some of the first sightings of Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds (RTH) are in fact moving this way as they do every year at this time. Male RTH’s begin arriving along the Gulf Coast in February preceding females by as much as a week to ten days. There are no exact arrival times but year to year observations suggest they are quite punctual. For 30 years I’ve noted the first siting of a hummingbird at my home. It’s never been earlier than April 4 and never later than April 11. And it has always been an adult male. It's often thought if it's warmer here they will arrive sooner. Perhaps warmer weather will aid them in their migration but it doesn’t mean they will get here that much earlier. After all they do not know it’s warmer here. Migration is triggered by the lengthening of daylight hours, and instinctively they have made this journey from Central and South America for thousands of years. The very earliest hummingbirds may be seen in the last week of March with the bulk of them arriving or passing through from mid-April to mid-May. Many of these birds will continue to their breeding areas as far north as Canada and all areas in between while some settle here for the summer.

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The other question we answer regarding hummingbirds is “when should I put a feeder out?” You may put one out as early as the last week of March but do not expect late summer-like activity. Feeders are of assistance but certainly not like they are prior to fall migration. This year may be different in that plants that provide blossoms for nectar may be in short supply from winter damage. We shall see.