Friday, December 4, 2020
Hummingbird Feeders
With winter just around the corner and colder days ahead, we are calling Fraser Valley residents to consider helping our native population of Annas hummingbirds. We haven’t always had a resident population of hummingbirds over the winter, however with a combination of climate change and residents maintaining a feeding schedule in the winter, the Annas population has managed to creep North.
Choosing to feed a family of hummingbirds is an important responsibility to take on. Once you start feeding them, you must maintain your feeder through the winter. Why you ask? Hummingbirds can starve to death in just one day. Hummingbirds are very territorial and if they were to try to join another feeder they would likely not succeed.
Here’s what you need to know about what and how to feed the hummingbirds. Make sure your sugar water mixture doesn’t freeze solid. Some ways to achieve this are bringing it in at night, having a back up feeder to swap out on very cold days or purchasing a hummingbird feeder heater.
The water you make is just a four to one ratio of water to sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil and allow to cool completely and then add to your feeder. Often, in the very cold months it’s a great idea to have a few and rotate them to keep at least a couple unthawed.
The hummingbirds are usually busiest first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. You’ll be rewarded by seeing many visitors on a regular schedule. If you capture any photos or videos, we’d love to see them!