Hummer Heaven
- kc dyer
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Andrea Bradshaw: Hummingbird whisperer?
The return of spring means the local hummingbird population is out in force. And nowhere more so than in the Bradshaw/Wuetherick garden.
Andrea Bradshaw has been feeding the local hummingbird population for four years, year round. She says she's careful about consistent feeding over the winter when the resident birds have no other natural food source, and is scrupulous about regular cleaning of her feeders. Normally, she averages no more than eight regularly-visiting birds a season.
Word has clearly gotten out in the hummer community, because this year's population is off the charts.
"We normally have a few birds that are consistently at the feeders, but never this many all at once," Bradshaw says. "I think we're pushing over 20 now, though they are rather difficult to count!"
She notes that she hasn't strayed from the standard recipe of a 1/4 cup white sugar to every cup of boiled water, and often makes a large batch so she has some on hand in the fridge for easy refills.
"At the moment, the hummers are draining the full feeder every two days."
In the springtime, Bradshaw says she plants red flowers to attract the birds, and give them a more natural nectar source.
"But other than having a lot of cedar hedges surrounding the yard, where they appear to be nesting, I don't really do anything else except placing the feeders in a somewhat protected spot, and not too close to each other."
She adds that the feeders are all placed up very high, in order to be inaccessible to bears.
Birdfriendly Lions Bay member Charlie Bradbury says that if you have hummers going through food more quickly than usual, it might mean you’re feeding a family, and suggests avoiding tree work as the nest/fledglings might be nearby.
"And from this time of year until the late summer you may have some fighting going on at the feeder," Bradbury adds. "This could be due to the Rufous Hummingbirds returning, as they are very territorial and can be quite assertive with the Anna’s. A second or third feeder may help calm things down, as the rufous can’t claim all the feeders at the same time."
You can read more about Lions Bay's official bird, the Anna's Hummingbird, HERE.
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Spotted the first Rufous at my feeder today! Always amazing to watch these tiny birds knowing they just flew all the way from Mexico/Southern USA! I'm refilling my feeder every 2 - 3 days which is a big spike in consumption :-) Great photo!
Hi Andrea! Amazing! We have also been feeding the hummers for 20 years now, and all winter. We have one resident who controls the territory from the high dead branch across the street. Lately a couple of visitors have been coming by and of course there is a quick rush to defend the feeder...must be a male! Never is one bird left feeding while the resident is around watching. It probably goes to your place for snacks in between. Cheers!
We feed all year as well and I cannot remember a spring with this many hummers! We have three feeders and last night there were 16 on the feeders and another 5 flying around rather miffed trying to get in for a sunset feed. Great to see so many. the female Anna's and the Rufus get along and will share feeders, but those males... ooooh they can get impatient and quite indignant. If a male is on the perch and has the feeder to himself.... he will sit there, not eat, just sit there and not allow others to the feeder. Just a brat. They certainly are entertaining though.
Amazing photo Andrea!