Bird Feeders - Your Bird Feeder

Get those hummingbird feeders ready for the 2011 spring migration of the ruby-throated hummingbirds. The migration back into the United States of the ruby-throated hummingbirds has started. February 23rd, 2011, was the first reported sighting of the ruby-throated hummingbird on hummingbirds.net along the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi.

Few details are known about the migration of the hummingbird. Not many hummingbirds are banded each year and of those who are, very few are recaptured to provide the necessary facts of the tiny bird’s migration activity. It is unlikely that enough data will be collected to fill in the unknowns, until very small, lightweight transmitters are invented.

The ruby-throated hummingbirds have started to migrate north after spending their winter in southern Mexico or western Panama. The tiny hummingbirds must double their weight to fuel this extremely long journey. Many of the birds will be migrating up to 2500 miles, including a trip across the Gulf of Mexico that is around 500 miles long and will take some 20 hours. Some ruby-throated hummingbirds will choose the longer, but less difficult, trip along Eastern Mexico into Texas and then migrate up the United States from there.

The males begin the migration first with the females following approximately a week and a half behind. The ruby-throated hummingbirds will spread the migration over two or three months.

After arriving in Eastern Texas or southern Florida they travel as far north as Nova Scotia, Labrador, New Brunswick or as far west as Minnesota into Manitoba , Saskatchewan and Alberta. Depending on the weather and the availability of food, the ruby-throated hummingbirds will travel up to 20 miles a day. It is fascinating and evidence shows that individual hummingbirds use the same migration route and return to the same place each year.

Follow the ruby-throated hummingbirds migration this year and don’t forget to get the hummingbird feeder ready because they will need a sip all along their route.

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You do not have to go far to enjoy and learn about birds and bird watching. Your own backyard can serve as a fun place where new bird watchers can start learning the basics about birds.

To construct the best birdwatching area in your backyard, you can make use of different bird feeders filled with a variety of seeds. Different styles of feeders and seeds will attract different birds to your yard.

Experiment with the various seeds in the bird feeders to attract the specific birds that you want to see in your backyard. Your geographic location is one of the main factors that will determine the birds that will visit your feeder.

Some of the more common types of bird feed are black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, striped sunflower seeds, nectar, safflower seeds, millet and thistle. You will learn what seed attracts which birds to the different feeders that are placed around your backyard.

Get to know how far away feeders need to be from each other. Birds like to have a safe landing area away from their predators. Place feeders close to trees, bushes or shrubs. It is important to keep feeders away from noisy streets or any other noisy areas that could spook the birds.

Backyard Bird Feeder

Increasing the number of plants in your backyard will almost guarantee that more birds will be visiting your bird feeders. You can even try to create a layered garden to provide richness and diversity in your garden. You can add layers by planting clusters of shade loving small trees, shrubs and ground cover under taller trees. The birds will love the plants and your backyard will be transformed into a beautiful natural woodland.

Now it’s time to sit back, observe and study your backyard bird habitat. Make sure you have a clear view of all the feeders. A basic pair of binoculars is needed to catch a close-up look of all the birds. These optical devices will greatly increase your ability to identify birds by their distinct markings and behavior. It will not take long until you become very familiar with many of the birds that will be coming to the feeders.

As you become more involved in bird watching, a spotting scope can provide you with a closer look at your new feathered friends.

There is nothing better than watching colorful birds fly around a native and natural garden that almost looks like the bird’s natural habitat.

Technorati Tags: Bird Feeders, bird seed, bird watching, Birds, Your Bird Feeder

Have the ruby-throated hummingbirds reached your area yet? Check out the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Spring 2010 Migration Map to see!

After their long journey from southern Mexico or western Panama the hummers have made their way up through the mid and eastern parts of the United States and into Canada. They have been spotted on the eastern side of Quebec, near Toronto and Ottawa and some have continued as far north as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Did you know that most hummingbirds will migrate to the same spot every spring?

I have to tell you that the first ruby-throated hummer of the season I saw was on April 30th, precisely the same day that I saw him last year. Maybe, I was looking harder that day, too!

Here are two more interesting facts about hummingbirds:
1. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are 3 – 3 3/4 inches long with a wingspan of 4 – 4 3/4 inches.
2. Hummingbirds are very intelligent. From one year to the next they can remember places and individual people (How do they know that?).

I hope you have your hummingbird feeder cleaned, filled and out for the hummers. After their long spring journey back to their favorite spot they will certainly need the nourishment.

Visit my other posts for more information on Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Spring 2010 North American Migration and Prepare Your Hummingbird Feeder For The Ruby Throated Hummingbird

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The ruby-throated hummingbirds have made their way into the mid-section of the United States. They were first spotted in the states in February around the panhandle of Florida and eastern Texas. Some of them will make their way as far north as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Labrador and west as far as Minnesota into Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada. Check out the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Spring 2010 Migration Map. You can see that they are as far north as the Kentucky/Indiana Border and as far northeast as Virginia.

One thing that I have found interesting this year is that the ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating farther west into areas of central Texas. It will be fun to see exactly how far west they will venture.

In early spring, a fascinating event to watch is the ruby-throated hummingbirds migration route around the Allegheny Mountains. You will notice the vacant areas in southwestern Virginia, eastern West Virginia, north-central Pennsylvania and western Maryland as they seem to avoid the Allegheny Mountains. It usually takes a week or two for them to fill in this region. See if you notice this happening this year.

Here are two interesting facts about the ruby-throated hummingbird that you can use to impress everyone at your next party:
1. The hummingbird’s heart rate can get up to 1260 beats per minute.
2. The hummingbird has the largest brain, percentage wise in relationship to total body weight-4.2% of all birds

Keep an eye out for your first ruby-throated hummingbird this spring. Your hummingbird feeder should be out and ready. They will soon be reaching your area if they haven’t already. The ruby-throated hummingbirds will appreciate the nourishment after their long trip from Mexico or Panama.

Visit my other posts for more information on Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Spring 2010 North American Migration and Prepare Your Hummingbird Feeder For The Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Technorati Tags: 2010 hummingbird migration, bird feeder, Bird Feeders, Birds, hummingbird, Hummingbird Feeder, hummingbird migration, hummingbirds, ruby-throated hummingbird, ruby-throated hummingbirds, Your Bird Feeder

The most important piece of equipment for every bird watcher is a good pair of bird watching binoculars. Whether you are watching birds at your bird feeder or hiking along a trail, here are a few things to consider when purchasing bird watching binoculars.

The main components of bird watching binoculars are the following: the eyepieces (the end that goes up to the eye), the objective lens (the larger end of the glasses), the prisms (the glass inside the binoculars that receives the light) and the focus wheel (usually between the eyepieces).

Bird watching binoculars come with many different numbers attached to them. But, what do all these numbers (i.e. 7×35, 8×42, 10×50) mean? It’s not as complicated as it sounds. The first number (i.e. 7, 8, 10) in the group of numbers is the magnification. All that means is the objects that you are viewing through your bird watching binoculars will be 7x closer, 8x closer, or 10x closer. The choice is yours. For example, you have a pair of 8×42 bird watching binoculars and a bird is perched in a tree 80 feet away. The object will appear 8 times closer (80/8=10ft.). So, it will look like the object is only 10 ft. away from you. Picking the right magnification depends on the way that you will be using your binoculars for birding, but remember that the higher the magnification the steadier you need to hold the binoculars.

The second number attached to that group of numbers on your bird watching binoculars is the objective lens diameter. The objective lens is the far lens or larger lens on the binoculars. The objective lens diameter is the size in millimeters (i.e. 35, 42, 50) of the lens. This just simply means that a larger objective lens will let more light into the binoculars. The more light that enters the objective lens, the better the details and the brighter the image. If you are planning to use your bird watching binoculars more towards dusk or in the dark then the 50mm lens will be a better choice.

Bird watching binoculars have one of two types of prism designs. The two types are porro and roof prism systems. The porro prism system has a z-shaped optic path. What does this mean to you? Bird watching binoculars employing this system are bigger, bulkier and heavier, probably not a choice if you do alot of walking and hiking to watch birds. On the other hand, a couple of advantages of the porro prism is that they will have a wider field of view and they will cost less.

The roof prism system uses prisms that overlap closely, resulting in a slimmer and more compact shape. This makes the roof prism binoculars more lightweight. The drawback with the roof prism is that the field of view will be narrower and they are a more expensive bird watching binocular.

Another very important feature to consider when purchasing bird watching binoculars is the ease of focusing the binoculars. With birds constantly in motion, look for a pair of bird watching binoculars that has a quick and sharp focus wheel. Look for the focus mechanism on the binoculars to focus from far to close in one or less revolution. You want your binoculars to feel comfortable in your hands.

Remember, it is an individual preference and you should buy the best bird watching binoculars that you can afford.

Click The Three Models You Need To Check Out to see a review of binoculars that I recommend.

Technorati Tags: bird feeder, Bird Feeders, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, watching birds, Your Bird Feeder

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