How long to keep out feeders (1 Viewer)

aimeerose72

Well-known member

• Sep 25, 2016

• #1

Hello there!
I live in Ohio, near Dayton and am wondering with winter soon approaching (in Ohio it could happen anytime!) How long should I keep my hummingbird feeders out?
Thank you!

 

jmepler

It's just a flesh wound.

• Sep 25, 2016

• #2

The rule of thumb here in Pennsylvania is to keep your hummingbird feeders up until Thanksgiving.

The reason for this is for vagrant western species. Here we have had Rufous, Allen's, Calliope and Black-chinned hummingbirds in the fall. And an Anna's Hummingbird that stayed well in to the winter.

The hummingbirds will not delay their migration just because of your feeder.

 

aimeerose72

Well-known member

• Sep 26, 2016

• #3

I appreciate your response. With so many opinions and expertise in birding, it can be difficult for a newbie like myself to know what is best..
I didnt expect the hummingbirds to delay migration due to my feeder..? I just wanted to know a timeline is all.

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Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Sep 29, 2016

• #4

FYI, when the Anna's stayed into the winter here in PA, they needed to use heat lamps to keep the sugar solution from freezing!

 

deidrahall

Birdacious

• Sep 30, 2016

• #5

I keep ours up all year round. It gets cold in the high desert but the feeder never freezes and gets the morning sun so all is good. I read somewhere that it won't interfere with migration, also see someone else noted that as well. We get Anna's all year round. Just keep an eye on your feeder and see if it's okay with the temp's in your location.

 

Last edited: Sep 30, 2016

T

TFM70

Well-known member

• Oct 3, 2016

• #6

I keep at least one feeder up thru out the winter. We do have western species over wintering here, although I haven't seen one yet.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Oct 3, 2016

• #7

Hi Aimee. I keep one feeder up throughout the winter and on nights that go below freezing, I turn a flood light, which is directly over it, on for the sub freezing temps times. Sugar water though freezes at a lower temperature. I've been rewarded on more than one occasion

 

aimeerose72

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2016

• #8

wow! thank you all for the wonderful tips!! my feeders are still up in hopes of seeing some more hummies

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InfernoOrangeSS

Veritas Aequitas

• Oct 15, 2016

• #9

Thank you to the OP for asking this and all the great responses. I was wondering this myself. We don't get many subfreezing nights/days here in AL. I'll just have to look out for the freezing times and bring the feeders in if it looks like it might freeze. I'd hate to deny a wintering Hummingbird.