As this is the first winter that many of us have been feeding Anna's Hummingbirds and we are having an unusually cold winter (it got to 18F this morning on our tree farm east of Redmond), we must try to keep our little jewels alive through this truly cold weather. As I reported, we use test tubes with stoppers and bent glass tubing for feeders. The fluid in the pendant tubing will freeze unless the hummingbirds visit very often. It behooves us to try to keep these fascinating creatures alive during these very cold days. After all, we attracted these hummingbirds, and they are depending on us for their sustenance. We probably have at least a half dozen hummers depending on us right now, and yes, they do get into the chasing and guarding mode; certainly exciting to observe, but that expends a lot of energy. We now are putting out feeders on all sides of our house, hoping to keep them all well fed. It will take some doing to take care of these little beauties during this most unusual cold snap! Therefore we are keeping a watch on the feeders and often exchange frozen tubes with warm ones. At 30F they seem to be OK, but when it gets down to 18F, both the feeder tubes and the main test tubes begin to freeze. We also are bringing in the feeders at night to keep them warm. The weather prediction sounds as though it will be necessary for us to keep up this regimen all week.
We also have a pond near our house, and it now is frozen over. No Mallards or Wood Ducks came to our cracked corn feeders this morning, but Juncos, Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Steller's Jays, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, House Finches, Pine Siskins, and an occasional Purple Finch are enjoying their meals of sunflower seeds, sunflower chips, and cracked corn; although the Black-capped Chickadees have deserted us. Douglas Chickaree Squirrels continue to brave the cold weather, but the chipmunks are nowhere to be seen. It is hibernation time for them.

Erin Woods
Woods Tree Farm
Redmond, Washington