Hi Tweeters,

In previous years I've retired the nectar feeders after the Rufous
hummingbirds leave in late summer. I regularly keep just two feeders, on
opposite sides of the house. This year for the first time we've had some
Anna's around, and I've kept up one feeder. I see at least one male
Anna's using it often.

First night down into the 20s, and this morning the Anna's was
frustrated by the frozen nectar in the feeder. I've swapped out a
liquid-filled feeder, but I'm not sure about keeping up this routine all
winter.

We have a heated birdbath, but we have no outdoor outlet convenient to a
feeder location. I can keep swapping out thawed feeders for frozen ones
(I have two to use). But my main concern is: what happens when the
Rufous return in March and the Anna's is/are all territorial about
*his*/*their* feeder? I want to avoid that. So should I cease putting a
feeder out now and give the Anna's time to adjust and locate other
sources? Or, do any of you have experience with this and can reassure me
that the Rufous can successfully reclaim their territories when they
return?

I know this has been discussed here in the past, but I'm not aware of
any archive access for Tweeters.

Thanks for your advice,

Kristi Hein
Anacortes
khc
at
picturesandwords.com