Author Topic: When I planned a Butterfly/ Hummingbird Garden I never... (Read 3205 times)

miguynmkoi · « **on:** May 08, 2008, 05:28:32 PM »

Thought I would get a hummingbird family!!!

Make that "3" hummingbird nests that I've found by chance.

I've seen so many hummingbirds all over the garden this year buzzing around but to my surprise I found tiny nests built on my string lights. The first 2 nests I totally missed the babies but had lots of poopee droppings under them. Hope this means there were babies feeding in them.

Then I caught this momma a couple of days ago building this nest. Even after she laid an egg she kept looking for materials to finish the nest. On all the nests there are bits of blue/gray paint flakes from my kitchen trellis! I think she is used to us since she is in our patio cover in direct line of the sliding door to the house. If we walk too close she flies off nearby. So now we need to skirt the walls to make an exit.

It's been overcast the past few days but when Momma bird is out in the sun her back is a beautiful green and her throat has a bit of red. I see many hummingbirds with the red head too. Where's Poppa?!

Kittyzee · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:14:26 PM »

awesome!

Another instance where "if you build it, they will come" theory! I would love it if I could get hummers to next around my yard

Kittyzee · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:15:30 PM »

I mean "nest"

Jerry · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:26:34 PM »

Nice photos, we have had nests evey year. They are facinating.

Esther · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:30:52 PM »

How exciting!! I would love to have a nest where I could watch what was happening.

Sunbeam56 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:48:03 PM »

How wonderful!

We have lots of hummers, because I plant for birds, too - but have never found a nest.

bunny56lbc · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:56:36 PM »

How cool is that ! Nice pictures too

bonnie

Double S · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2008, 07:51:05 PM »

I saw a hummingbird at my front door the other day. I need to get a hummingbird feeder!

Sandye · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2008, 08:56:07 PM »

How wonderful! I saw a hummingbird flying outside my kitchen window yesterday looking for the feeder that is usually there, and hurried to get a feeder out. I haven't seen him/her since then but I hope it comes back. I loooove watching hummers.

The closest I've seen to a nest is seeing the same hummer repeatedly flying to one of the trees in our back yard. I'm sure it had a nest there, but it was too high for me to find it. $:-\$

Ruthie · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2008, 09:10:29 PM »

WOW!!!!! We have ruby throated hummingbirds...lots of them...but I have never seen a nest! These photos are awesome!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2008, 10:11:53 PM »

Thanks everyone! I'm totally thrilled with this great find. I've never even thought something like this would happen and voila! I get 3 hummingbird nests. I watch this Momma bird while she continuously builds her nest thicker for the new baby to be. I can't wait to see the baby! I'm a bird watcher now.

Esther · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2008, 05:19:27 AM »

Do they typically lay just one egg?

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #12 on:** May 09, 2008, 07:37:24 AM »

I don't know how many eggs they normally lay but this nester had only one for a few days now. The egg is about the size of a small jelly bean. I can't imagine this small bird pushing out more than one!

lindaky · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:39:23 AM »

Cool! I have lots of hummers too but have never found a nest. I will be looking for one now. I think they usually have 2-3 eggs.

Kat · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:56:14 AM »

Very exciting!

emm · « **Reply #15 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:31:56 AM »

That is so neat Annette! I do like a pretty garden but I really like gardening and ponding because I love the wildlife that comes into our yard. What a special treat you've had! So nice that they've built the nests where you can see them. emm

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #16 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:35:57 AM »

This is our reward when we can share our garden and pond with the (good) wildlife.

We are hummingbird-stockers now. We fight over the one pair of binoculars to spy on the poor bird who now does not have an ounce of privacy.

If she thought she was smart building her nest under our patio...WRONG!

We turn the patio light on at night just to peek. But the string lights she built her nest on will have to remain off until baby is gone. We will have to restrain ourselves.

Joyce · « **Reply #17 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:58:04 AM »

Annette, Jamie was so impressed, she printed your pix and is using your story as her show and tell in school today!

tootsie · « **Reply #18 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:15:57 AM »

Those pictures are great! Pretty soon it will be time to make the syrup for them and get the container outside

Last year I was walking out to the deck and heard someting tap, tap, taping? I walked over to the greenhouse and to my surprize there was a little hummer in there trying to get back out, but she was smacking into the windows

I too have watched them after they have been to the feeder. Pretty soon they just fly out of site

They are just so much fun to watch

tootsie · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:19:28 AM »

Well Geezzzzzzzzzzzzzz, I was looking for the picture of my hummer !

tootsie · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:29:48 AM »

and one more,

Mikey · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:30:31 AM »

Three! Not fair!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2008, 12:34:27 PM »

Joyce, tell Jamie I'm honored to be in her show and tell.

Funny Tootsie, I looked real hard to see a hummingbird wiz by in your first photo.

The hummingbird in your photo looks just like the one in my yard! They are fascinating!

Mike, I have 2 spare empty nest you are most welcome too.

Mikey · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:09:31 PM »

We had one build a nest in a potted ficus and raise young several years ago but I have not seen a nest since. At least I'm feeding several of them no matter where they live. I feed the blue jays also and I get a kick out of watching the hummers chase after them after the jays pick up their peanut.

karen J · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:41:32 PM »

miguynmkoi, Your pictures are fabulous! I can't even get a pic of a hummer, much less a nest. The egg is the size of a jelly bean? Wow. Wonder what the baby bird looks like.

Quote from: tootsie on May 09, 2008, 10:15:57 AM

Those pictures are great! Pretty soon it will be time to make the syrup for them and get the container outside Last year I was walking out to the deck and heard someting tap, tap, taping? I walked over to the greenhouse and to my surprize there was a little hummer in there trying to get back out, but she was smacking into the windows I too have watched them after they have been to the feeder. Pretty soon they just fly out of site They are just so much fun to watch

Tootsie, a similar thing happened to us. We had two hummingbirds get stuck in our veranda skylight at our Va house. The two had flown up into the skylight and got their wings caught in the window frame. Kevin (DH) took out our ladder, climbed up, and un-wedged the poor things. After he got down from the ladder, the two hummers stayed in his hand for about 5 minutes. We just stood there in awe, looking at them. Then they flew away...and that was that.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #25 on:** May 10, 2008, 09:30:18 AM »

Quote

the two hummers stayed in his hand for about 5 minutes

The rescued birds like their rescuer/hero

.

I wonder how long it takes a hummingbird to hatch? Do I start pacing yet?

Ky Kim · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2008, 07:01:43 PM »

Oh, wow! That is just too awesome!

I found some really cute feeders at Walmart this season. There small single feeders for 97 cents. I bought 6, the hold a decent amount but not like some of the huge ones that you fill up, and it spoils before they get it used up. I'll try and take a pic of it, I just love'm.

Kim

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #27 on:** May 12, 2008, 12:37:06 PM »

To my surprise.. there are now two eggs for Momma Hummingbird! There is a definite difference to the nest too. It's deeper with the higher rim around the nest! It was a very Happy Mother's Day all around!

ponderer · « **Reply #28 on:** May 12, 2008, 01:33:51 PM »

That is really terrific! So tiny. Can you tell what the nest is made of? Looks like cat-tail fuzz. Or fiberglass insulation! ICK.
I am jealous, would love to find even an empty nest.

Mary