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Date: 1/21/25 7:22 am From: Sophia Cox (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: SPECIAL NOTE About Sugar Water Feeders!
Hi, all, I have never had the pleasure (and responsibility) of feeding an overwintering hummer, but I just wanted to say how much joy these posts bring me. Conversations like this are one of my favorite ways to restore my faith in humanity at moments when I am frustrated and disillusioned by world events and wondering if our species is fundamentally flawed. I love knowing that there are people waking up before dawn on the coldest days of winter to diligently thaw and refill feeders for these tiny, beautiful, vulnerable birds. Thank you, Susan and others, for continuing to provide these public service announcements and advice for anyone doing their best to protect a hummingbird in the winter. Cheers, Sophie On Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM Steve <sshultz...> wrote: > A chilly good morning to all! > > Heating these feeders really does make a difference. Susan put two feeders > out this morning, the one out back is already frozen. So I will switch that > out with one kept inside here in a few minutes. > > The one out front, which has a heat light, is liquid and attracting birds. > I was particularly happy to see that our little northern parula made it > through the night and seems content to slurp on sugar water this morning. > > Even if you don’t have one of the bulbs that emits only heat and not > light, during the daytime, the light does not really make too much > difference to the birds, but the heat certainly helps. So no matter what > you have, don’t hesitate to put it out there as a lighted liquid feeder is > better than a frozen feeder :-) > > Steve Shultz > > > On Jan 21, 2025, at 8:17 AM, Dwayne Martin <carolinabirds...> wrote: > > > There are also this type of heated feeder that I am now using. It heats > with a 17W heating element, so no light. This morning it was 14° here and > all the liquid in the feeder was still liquid. > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://a.co/d/4Niw2T6__;!!OToaGQ!t7_emkocylAtcxe1kf6bFt5jEHfQc1H7GuxrP6ClkVhTVqHARuhlnERWfG87gsigwd1IW2e1eaJ1Ogeh-dchUVE$ > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://a.co/d/4Niw2T6__;!!OToaGQ!rRHrEGGQGnfeXqp8b66qyJGK1WZHNvz1vzZ_E69ge8fJsmiykAXPkus8eab9hzvmiMpvRes5PD_QOQ3MFCUh$> > > > > Dwayne > ************* > Dwayne Martin > Hickory, NC > <redxbill...> > > > On Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 7:52 AM Nate Dias <carolinabirds...> wrote: > >> As a follow-up to Susan's good advice for keeping hummingbird (and >> oriole) nectar feeders thawed, a good feeder heating setup is to use a >> clamp light with a heat emitting bulb that ideally does not emit light, >> especially red light, which I have found hummers sometimes avoid (perhaps >> thinking it is fire or a flame). If you have one of the 'shepherd's >> crook' type feeder hanging poles, you can clamp the light on the rod below >> the hook for hanging your nectar feeder. >> >> Be sure the clamp light is rated for the wattage of the bulb you use with >> it. >> >> This is an example of a clamp light: >> >> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.lowes.com/pd/ProTorch-1-Watt-Incandescent-Clamped-Work-Light/1002623128?store=&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-elc-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_PLA_ELC_Online_E-F-_-1002623128-_-online-_-0-_-0__;!!OToaGQ!t7_emkocylAtcxe1kf6bFt5jEHfQc1H7GuxrP6ClkVhTVqHARuhlnERWfG87gsigwd1IW2e1eaJ1Ogeh5wo8vWM$ >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.lowes.com/pd/ProTorch-1-Watt-Incandescent-Clamped-Work-Light/1002623128?store=&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-elc-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_PLA_ELC_Online_E-F-_-1002623128-_-online-_-0-_-0__;!!OToaGQ!oJc8XrL9VOL2H0yrBA8MEnHYabtdddTUyXKn0sMzyMBSs79NuEQy3QedsR93yVYs_TDnVySJYREgbf1t202JjIwkX-ly$> >> >> Most pet stores carry heat lamp bulbs for pet reptiles - the ceramic ones >> are the sturdiest but cost a bit more: >> >> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/environmental-control-and-lighting/heaters/thrive-reptile-ceramic-heat-emitter-5290810.html__;!!OToaGQ!t7_emkocylAtcxe1kf6bFt5jEHfQc1H7GuxrP6ClkVhTVqHARuhlnERWfG87gsigwd1IW2e1eaJ1Ogeh0Vgtjfc$ >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/environmental-control-and-lighting/heaters/thrive-reptile-ceramic-heat-emitter-5290810.html__;!!OToaGQ!oJc8XrL9VOL2H0yrBA8MEnHYabtdddTUyXKn0sMzyMBSs79NuEQy3QedsR93yVYs_TDnVySJYREgbf1t202JjDw-fNM8$> >> >> These are more delicate, make a small amount of purplish light but cost >> less: >> >> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zilla-night-black-heat-incandescent-bulb-1273531?store_code=1528&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla_with_promotionlocal&cm_mmc=PSH7CGGL7CCCY7CCCO7CPM7C07CaxsvnXfjRWFFwpetHmZu757C7C7C07C07C7C7C21467366052__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJQ!!OToaGQ!t7_emkocylAtcxe1kf6bFt5jEHfQc1H7GuxrP6ClkVhTVqHARuhlnERWfG87gsigwd1IW2e1eaJ1OgehCcEUspI$ >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zilla-night-black-heat-incandescent-bulb-1273531?store_code=1528&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla_with_promotionlocal&cm_mmc=PSH7CGGL7CCCY7CCCO7CPM7C07CaxsvnXfjRWFFwpetHmZu757C7C7C07C07C7C7C21467366052__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJQ!!OToaGQ!oJc8XrL9VOL2H0yrBA8MEnHYabtdddTUyXKn0sMzyMBSs79NuEQy3QedsR93yVYs_TDnVySJYREgbf1t202JjL7OJ44V$> >> >> >> Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC >> >> -- >> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/__;!!OToaGQ!t7_emkocylAtcxe1kf6bFt5jEHfQc1H7GuxrP6ClkVhTVqHARuhlnERWfG87gsigwd1IW2e1eaJ1OgehtPT_Vz8$ >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/__;!!OToaGQ!oJc8XrL9VOL2H0yrBA8MEnHYabtdddTUyXKn0sMzyMBSs79NuEQy3QedsR93yVYs_TDnVySJYREgbf1t202JjAEoSBTm$> >> >> "These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands >> more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle >> shot." -- Bror Blixen >> >> >> On Mon, Jan 20, 2025 at 10:27 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote: >> >>> All, >>> >>> For those who are maintaining sugar water feeders, the next few >>> days—especially the mornings will require some real vigilance. The 4:1 mix >>> for hummingbirds will begin to freeze at about 27o. So that will be a >>> concern at the coast as well as inland. >>> >>> Monitoring your feeder will be very important if you have a hummingbird >>> visiting. Especially if it is a Ruby-throated! These little birds are >>> not as hardy as the westerners. Same goes for those with warblers, orioles >>> and tanagers. They really will benefit from our help during this >>> significant cold- and for some- snowy weather. >>> >>> If you have been in touch with me about having a winter hummer, then you >>> should have received winter feeding tips. Hopefully those with heated >>> feeders will arise to find thier feeders thawed. But I would advise all to >>> be awake, up and checking on your feeder at dawn (just before 7AM) to be >>> certain the birds have sugar water for that important first meal of the day. >>> >>> Let me know ASAP if you need tips: I have several tested methods for >>> keeping feeders thawed. The simplest is to rotate a thawed feeder from >>> indoors when the one outside begins to freeze. Of course, that strategy >>> does require being an early riser and then at home to do so until the >>> mercury rises.... >>> >>> I will be right there myself given we have been maintaining two Perky >>> Pets that have not only regular Chickadees, Brown-headed Nuthatches and >>> House Finches drinking from them but also a Northern Parula. That little >>> bird is also eating suet but it really seems to love our sugar water. My >>> heat lamp is ready to go first thing in the morning! >>> >>> One last thing-- if you have a hummer or oriole feeder up in hopes of >>> attracting someone special, it is not too late! You could have a bird find >>> you in the next couple days. >>> >>> Stay warm and safe everyone! >>> >>> Susan Campbell >>> Apex, NC >>> >> >> >>

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