Abbotsford, British Columbia | Chilliwack, BC
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Chickadee Chat February 2012 Newsletter 

Click the link below to read it.

chickadee chat february 2012

 

 MASON BEES HAVE ARRIVED!

We now have our mason bees in stock for the spring season. Due to the unseasonally cold weather we had last spring, the number of bees harvested was significantly down. If you need bees or would like to start your own bee colony, we suggest that you do not wait but come in soon as stock is limited. If your mason bees will be spending some time in your refrigerator before going out in your yard, we recommend that you place a damp towel close to your bees so they stay well hydrated.

 

Just a Thought February 2012

It is amazing what a little cold weather does for bird feeding! That arctic blast was nature's way of reminding us that "Yes, it is still winter" and "Yes, you do live in a northern country so don't expect it to be ALWAYS mild".

 

 

The birds seemed to come from everywhere when the first snowfall hit. Several chickadees become a dozen, juncos were everythere and the varied thrush population went from 2 to 30 in just two days. Every tree and bush was alive with movement and the ground was thick with towhees, sparrows, juncos, thrushes and squirrels. And they were all hungry!

 

 

 

 

Since our feeders froze shut due to the snowy, cold weather, our birds turned to our suet, cylinder and tray feeders. No matter what time of day you looked, someone was on something eating everything. The varied thrush colony were the first to arrive just before dawn, looking for whatever morsels were left behind from the previous night and waiting hungrily for Cliff to supply breakfast. Our ruby-crowned kinglet made his winter appearance, dashing back and forth from the evergreen hedge to the cylinder feeder. He preferred to stay out of the wind as much as possible! Unlike the bushtits, who seemed to enjoy dancing with the wind as they visited the feeders.

 

 

 

 

 

But the biggest surprise was the visit by the red-breasted sapsucker. They are beautiful little woodpeckers (between a downy and hairy in size) with a white spotted back, yellowish belly and a brillant red head and chest. Very shy and skittish, they rarely come to feeders. But this male got so cold and hungry that he decided to try the nutty cylinder in the front yard. And surprisingly, he has continued to come back every day even though the weather has improved. He and i are having an interesting time of it - I, determined to get a good picture of him and he, determined to hide BEHIND the cylinder so I can't. And, unfortunately, he's winning. But he is such a beautiful bird; I guess I'll let him eat his dinner in peace and just admire from afar.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, the hunt continues for the perfect picture!

 

Anna's Hummingbird Update

 

There were questions this year regarding the hummingbird solution. Most housholds were aware that the solution strength for winter is 3 parts water/ 1 part sugar but I had several inquiries about the need for electrolytes in the liquid as well. I did some research and talked to John, head naturalist at WBU head offices, about this. What I have determined is that the research in non-conclusive - we just do not know enough about the matter to recommend anything but feeding white sugar solutions to your birds. The 4-1 or 3-1 solution resembles the sucrose hummingbirds receive from the flowers and that is what is recommended by Cornell Institute of Ornithology as well as other hummingbird experts. It has not been proven if electrolytes can be added at a level that is safe for the health of hummingbirds. I know that there are some pre-mixed solutions available that have electrolytes - I would be very reluctant to approve them. Again, not enough is known to determine if these levels are safe or if the electrolytes remain even properly mixed throughout the bottle - do you want to take a chance that you gave your birds a toxic dose from the bottom of the bottle?

 

And do not use a solution sweeter than 3-1. The small kidneys of our birds require a large amount of water to break down the large sugar molecules (more water is needed the more concentrated the sugar) and this will result in dehydration, kidney damage and possibly death. As well, the larger sugar molecules will coat the hummingbirds tongues', making it difficult for them to feed. 

 

(The photo of this curious Male Anna's is by Mrs. Nickerson in Chilliwack, Thanks!)