Birders, Alfred Adamo wrote:
> The RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was observed sitting on a open perch on the east > side of a White Cedar adjacent to the feeder at the south side of the house > between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. It was evidently warning itself in the sun after > surviving a very cold night. Mr. Yendt came out of the house to check the > hummingbird feeder to find that the sugar/water solution was partly frozen > despite it being under two warming lamps. Perhaps a heating coil could be > inserted in the feeder? Actually, there is something available called Heat Tape, which is basically a wide strip of tape wrapped around a wire heating coil, with an electric plug at the end. This can be wrapped around the upper portion of the feeder, as long as the feeder is glass on top and not plastic. The heat lamp that I usually recommend is a red spotlight style that is about 200 watts, which you can put into a small aluminum parabolic-type socket. This should be placed about 18-inches (45 cm) from the feeder. If temperatures are consistently predicted to be around -10, then move it closer. These bird have survived multiple nights of -15 to -18 C, so having the nectar in liquid form for their first feed in the morning is the most helpful thing that can be done. Another possibility is to take the feeder inside well after dark, and replace it before first light in the morning. This has an additional advantage of warmer, room temperature nectar in the morning for the bird to feed on. It does require a committment to wake up early enough every morning, since these birds have been known to start feeding as early as 6:30 a.m. even in mid-December in northern latitudes. Allen Chartier [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1442 West River Park Drive Inkster, MI 48141 Website: http://www.amazilia.net Michigan HummerNet: http://www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet/index.htm "Allen Chartier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
