Date: 09/15/2011

Number: 15

8 a.m., 09/15/11 had about 15 at feeder.

We have had 4 resident ruby throat humming birds at our feeder since late July when we put the feeder up. Resident birds tend to be agressive and only one can drink at a time and when another arrives he/she will drive the other away before drinking. The residents drink about 4 oz. of sugar water in 5 to 7 days. On Tuesday morning (9/13/11) near dawn we had 7 at the feeder and by 8 a.m. they had emptied the feeder and it was refilled with 16 oz. of sugar water. By dusk we were counting about 12 birds around the feeder, which has room for 10 birds. Migrants show little agression and we commonly see 5 to 10 birds sitting on the feeder at one time. In the morning we had 12 birds at feeder and by 8 a.m. on Wed. (9/14) the feeder was empty and was refilled with 16 oz. When we got home at 5 p.m. it was completely empty and was refilled with 16 oz. A HB expert speaking at the MMNS last fall said that for every bird you can count at your feeder there are 6 in the area which would mean we have 70-75 birds feeding at our feeder. The birds weigh about 0.12 oz. each - wt. measure- and are drinking 0.21 oz - liquid measure - per bird in an 8 hour day. Last year for days we could see 12 birds at our feeder and they were drinking 40 oz. per day. Todays need was greater than yesterday so look for future postings to see what we need tomorrow. AMAZING!! What fun!!!

Clinton, MS

Latitude: 32.4 Longitude: -90.3

Observed by: Prentiss G.
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