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AMERICANS BUY LOTS OF BIRD SEED
I normally do not like to be a member of large crowds. Such is not the case with those of us that feed wild birds. Recent survey reveal that more there are more than 50 million of us in the United States. Our extremely large group annually spends more than $4 billion to purchase 1 billion pounds of birdseed!
GEORGIA’S WINTER HUMMINGBIRD SEASON
For most hummingbird enthusiasts, the opportunity to host hummingbirds in their backyards extends from March through October. When the last hummingbird leaves on its fall migration one cannot hope but wish we could enjoy watching hummingbirds throughout the year. It is a little-known fact that some Georgians actually do host hummingbirds throughout the year. In order to do this, they are successful in attracting the tiny migrants during Georgia’s Second “Winter” Hummingbird Season. This season extends from November through February.
During this season, you can see more species of hummingbirds than at any other time of the year. The species you are most likely to see is the rufous. It is estimated that anywhere from 50-100 rufous hummingbirds annually winter in Georgia. Most of the others have been seen in Georgia only a handful of times.
If you want to have the rare opportunity of hosting one of these special birds this winter, maintain a feeder throughout the winter. There is no need to keep a feeder full of nectar; however, it is important that you change it regularly.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD by Terry W Johnson
Admittedly, the chances of seeing a rufous are slim; the odds are much greater than winning the Georgia Lottery. In addition, if you are successful in having a rufous winter in your yard, there is a chance it will return the next winter.
If a hummingbird shows up in your yard this winter, please let me know.
AFTER FREEZE NECTAR SOURCES
This week much of Georgia suffered through the first freezing temperatures of the season. At our home in Monroe County, the temperature fell to 27º. Realizing that spelled trouble for many pollinators my wife and I brought in two plants (scarlet sage and pineapple sage) that have been hosting cloudless sulphurs for the past few weeks.
When the weather returned to normal, we put them back on our deck. In a matter of minutes, they were once again being visited by cloudless sulphurs, syrphid, and hover flies. While our efforts did not benefit many pollinators, they did provide a few with much-needed food. In addition, we extended the time we can enjoy watching pollinators at work in our yard.
Based on our success I decided to visit our local nursery (Mossy Creek) to see if any of their plants had survived the cold and were hosting pollinators.
I no sooner got out the door of my vehicle when one of the nursery’s staff called me over to look at a stunningly beautiful butterfly. The butterfly turned out to be a zebra longwing; it was the first I have seen this year. The whole time that I was there, the butterfly fed at lavender pincushion blossoms.
While I watched, an American lady joined it. Nearby, an Ocola and fiery skippers, and a couple of American ladies visited marigolds. All of these plants had survived the severely cold weather.
Later, our daughter told us that a hover fly was feeding on a late four-o’clock bloom beside her house. She also saw several pollinators visiting coneflowers at a nursery in Columbia County.
Admittedly, the weather was not kind to our gardens this year consequently; we did not have many sources of nectar available deep into the fall. However, we pledge to do better next year.
If you want to help late pollinators in your yard, the first thing you need to do is find out which pollinator plants can survive cold weather in your neighborhood. One great place to learn find this information is your local nursery. There is no better time do so than after our recent freeze. Armed with this knowledge you will be better able to address the food needs of the pollinators living close by.
When I returned home, I was carrying four pots containing cold-hardy plants that we are going to add to our yard.
NORTHERN FLICKER ROOSTING SITES
It is very difficult to attract northern flickers to Georgia backyards; however, it can be done. One of the best ways is provide roost sites for these large birds. For example, leave dead trees in which large holes have been excavated or enlarged by squirrels and cavity nesting birds.
Flickers also roost in barred owl nest boxes. If you see a flicker enter an owl-nesting box, do not be discouraged if it 
does not return the next evening. It seems that male northern flickers tend to roost in different location each night. These roosting sites are usually located within a half-mile square area. If roosting cavities are scarce in your neighborhood, the bird may return sooner than later.
Friends of mine find flickers roosting in wood duck boxes during the winter. They have noted that flickers tend to enter the boxes earlier in the afternoon than do the other birds that also roost in boxes. The flickers that show up at their wood duck boxes often arrive well before the sun drops below the horizon.
Northern flickers will also roost in variety of odd locations such as under bridges. They will also use our homes as roosting sites. For example, they will sometimes roost on the sides and eaves of buildings, and even inside chimneys.
If you have seen northern flickers in your, I would love to hear about it.
BACKYARD SECRET – WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE MONARCHS IN GEORGIA DURING THEIR FALL MIGRATION?
The best time to catch a glimpse of fall migrating monarch butterflies is during the months of September and October. Records, however, suggest the greatest number of these butterflies pass through the state in mid-October.
With that in mind, if you want to see these large orange and black butterflies, spend some time outside during the next few days.
Good luck!
WHERE ARE THE FEEDER BIRDS?
Every year when early October rolls around, people tell me that the number and variety of birds visiting their feeders and birdbaths has dropped off significantly. That always leads to question, “Where are they?” Depending on where you live, and whether not the habitat near your home has changed, and other factors, the reasons for a decline can vary from yard to yard. That being the case, I attribute the drop-in activity around most bird feeders to three things.
Many of the common migratory birds that inhabit our will shortly reach their winter homes. That alone can make a big dent in your backyard bird population. While many of these birds do not often visit seed feeders, they do frequently bathe and drink at birdbaths.
In late summer and early fall, the abundance of seeds produced by native plants is greater than it is at any other time of the year. As such they birds have an abundance of places where they can feed this provides them with lots of spots where they can dine elsewhere.
Another reason your backyard bird population is low is that for folks in most parts of Georgia, southbound migrants have not yet reached the Peach State. This is the case for white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, blackbirds, and others.
Another thing to consider is some of our permanent residents, such as the chipping sparrows have yet to form winter flocks. Consequently, if your yard is not in a chipping sparrow breeding territory, chances are you will have to wait awhile to see them in your yard.
The bottom line is be patient, if your feeding area is safe, feeders are stocked with variety of foods, and clean water is close by, I promise they will come; just be patient.
TELLING GULF FRITILLARIES FROM MONARCHS
During October, we see more monarch butterflies in Georgia than at any other time of the year. Because monarchs have become so rare, when we spot a large orange butterfly flying about our yards, it is easy to assume we are looking at a monarch when it is actually a gulf fritillary. In fact, since gulf fritillaries are more common in our backyards at this time of the yard, the majority of the orange butterflies we see are actually gulf fritillaries. With that in mind, here are a few tips that will help you tell the difference of a gulf fritillary from a monarch.
The dorsal side of the gulf fritillary’s wings is bright orange and displays black spots scattered about its wings. Three black-rimmed white spots decorate the leading edge of each forewing. When this butterfly closes its wings, you will notice large silvery spots cover most of the underwing.
In comparison, the duller, orange-colored monarch is noticeably larger than the gulf fritillary. The topside of its wings is marked with prominent black veins. In addition, two rows of white spots are present near the tips of the wings. Its underwings display black veins set on a muted orange background.
Another clue to the identity of the monarch is its flight pattern. Monarchs flap their wings and they glide for a brief time; gulf fritillaries do not glide.
Both of these butterflies are beautiful; however, I wish that we would see as many monarchs as we do gulf fritillaries.
SOON THE HUMMINGBIRDS WILL BE GONE
Here at my Middle Georgia home, during the past few days the number of hummingbirds visiting our four feeders has dramatically decreased. As late as last week, my wife was making 20 cups of nectar a day in an effort to meet the birds’ demand for food. Today for the first time in weeks, only two feeders needed to be refilled. I suspect that the rubythroats are rapidly disappearing in your backyards too.
With that in mind, I would like to know when you first noticed a noticeable drop in the hummers visiting your feeders. In addition, it would be great if you report the date, the last hummer is seen in your yard. I have been studying hummingbirds for more than 30 years and still have much to learn about these fascinating birds. Your information would be helpful in delineating the fall migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird in Georgia.
If you do respond to this request, please include the name of the county where you live.
WHAT CRITTERS EAT SUET AT NIGHT?
If you feed suet to the birds that visit your backyard feeders, there is a chance when you make your morning check of your feeders, you will find that your suet was eaten by some critter during the night. If this occurs, you will undoubtedly scratch your head trying to come up with the name of the nighttime raider.
You know the culprit is not a songbird or even a crow since these birds are not active at night. In rare cases, the nocturnal raider may be a barred owl. Yes, there have been a handful of reports of barred owls visiting suet feeders. Apparently, the chance of this occurring is greater if rodents are visiting your feeding area to dine on seed scattered on the ground.
