Hummingbird Reminder

A reminder to consider keeping a hummingbird feeder up and maintained through the winter. There are some western species of hummingbirds that regularly winter in the southeastern United States. If you have a hummingbird still using your feeder after November first, please let me know. Mecklenburg County has recorded five species of hummingbirds during the late fall / winter months. North Carolina has recorded 11 species, so the potential exists for something really rare to show up at your feeder.

Rufous Hummingbird

Photo by John Ennis

Don’t worry. Leaving feeders up does not discourage the birds from migrating. They have already migrated to our area and are looking for a site with suitable cover and food source to spend a few days,  weeks, or perhaps the entire winter. Perhaps they will choose your yard.