Hummingbirds are knocking at our door

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Much to our surprise (given the erratic behavior of our weather), Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have reached well into New Jersey. One has even been seen in lower Bucks County, probably near Levittown.

At that rate of flight, we should see Ruby-throats in the Lehigh Valley within three or four days. The usual pattern is for the hummingbirds to hug the Atlantic Coast as they migrate north, then to spill inland into area such as ours.

Are your hummingbird feeders clean and placed in the yard to receive the buzzing little migrants? The hummingbirds will be hungry from their flight and will need to refuel. If you place several hummingbird feeders in your yard, you are more likely to persuade them to stay all summer long.

That's no guarantee, of course. Some hummingbirds that you see in April will visit only briefly en route to favorite breeding grounds north of us. But you'll still do them a favor by offering them a nutritious meal and overnight shelter. Maybe you'll enjoy seeing hummingbirds in action from your window or deck.


Locations of the sightings

The first sightings of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Pennsylvania were reported on the online service Hummingbirds.net within the past three days. A separate service, eBird.com (which accumulates reports of all bird species) has not confirmed the sightings of hummingbirds this far north.

The Pennsylvania sighting appears to have occurred in the Levittown area of lower Bucks County. Four sightings have been reported in New Jersey. The locations seem to be in Cape May, Gloucester, Ocean and Monmouth counties.

A sixth sighting was reported just south of the Pennsylvania border near Havre de Grace at the source of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

(A map showing the sightings appears below.)


Hummingbird feeding is essential

Sugary nectar is a high-energy food source that helps maintain hummingbird's wings beating at 53 beats per second. But it's a myth that hummingbirds consume only nectar. They also need protein, in the form of tiny springtime insects and spiders, to provide strength. The birds catch springtime insects on the fly. When the temperature reaches the 60s, you may see swarms of March flies, mayflies, midges, gnats and fruit flies flying above lawns. 

The weather has been so unpredictable lately that we never know whether the insects will be aloft. So at the very least, a source of nectar will give hummingbirds nutrition to continue their migration. Hummingbirds also will drink from sap wells drilled in trees by larger birds such as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.

Having hummingbird feeders available helps during nighttime cold snaps in springtime. For instance, the temperature fell into the 30s by dawn this morning. When it's cold, hummingbirds have the ability to slow their metabolism, entering a deep-sleep state known as torpor. Their body temperature falls to freezing levels and their heart and breathing rates slow. Overnight they may lose 10 percent of their body weight. When the sun comes out, they revive and immediately seek food.

Offering nectar at several locations in the yard will enable them to reach the food quickly and easily. 

Attracting hummingbirds

It's a good idea to place several hummingbird feeders at widely spaced distances within your yard. These birds (both male and female) are very territorial. They'll display aggressive behavior, and sometimes the "alpha male" will drive away all other males from the feeder. They'll even chase away bumblebees.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are among the most inquisitive birds in the backyard. They sometimes become acquainted with human behavior, especially if the human is wearing a red shirt or jacket.

Hummingbirds don't seem to mind feeders that are located on or near windows. The Bird House has window hangers that are attached to the glass by suction cups. The hangers easily accommodate the light-weight hummingbird feeders.

The Bird House carries nectar powder. Unlike homemade sugar-based nectar, the powder does not need to be boiled. Just add tap water. Also, never use red food coloring to dye the nectar. Virtually all hummingbird feeders are red, so that suffices. Moreover, scientific studies have shown that red dye may actually harm the hummingbirds.

It's not to early to head to garden centers to choose plants that hummingbirds will enjoy this summer. Among the favorites (for hummingbirds and humans as well) are columbine, liatris, monarda, native honeysuckle (not the Japanese varieties), trumpet creeper, red morning glory and red buckeye. Many of the plants are perennials, so they will bloom in your yard year after year without care.

Source: Hummingbirds.net