We have been following Patrick's post about the weather. We are a few miles east of him at a little higher elevation and away from the Sound or Lake Washington which moderates the temperature to some degree. We could be a little colder than him but we don't know for sure.

We brought the feeders in for the night and put them out just before dawn. It was still dark. Our feeders hang from the eves on opposite sides of the house. We no more got them up and we had an Anna's at each. We have confirmed the accuracy of the thermometer and had it in a pot near the feeder. It also is hanging from the eve causing some warming effect from the house. It may have been colder in the trees where they perch for the night. Fortunately there was no wind.

The pictures were taken with a flash because of the lack of light.

14.3 F






We saw at least 6 before the cold. It will be interesting to see how many are still around after the cold spell ends. Sometimes they move to a lower elevation when it gets this cold. BnB

BobnBernie
20 miles ESE of Seattle Sunset Zone 4

Panasonic FZ28
Canon PowerShot S80/Leica APO-Televid 77 20-60X lens

Now that is COLD. What brave little birds.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Hey There Bob and Bernie,
It is good to have you check in. I don't think our temps here in NY have been that cold as yet. Now those are really tough little birds for sure. Keep us posted on your flock when the temps moderate.


Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

We were at 15 degrees this morning when I put the feeders back outside and, like at Bob and Bernie's, they were being used almost immediately.

I've observed these past two freezing days that they seem to be feeding more often (no real surprise) and are much fiercer in defending their feeders (like Patrick found.) I ended up putting out three feeders for the three Anna's so they wouldn't hurt each other or wear themselves out.

I just read an idea on a Washington state bird watching list for keeping the juice from freezing during the day: hand warmers!

Here's what was written:

"One packet of a handwarmer, duct taped to the bottom of the feeder, will last up to 8 hours (which is all the daylight we happen to have in December) and keep the liquid solution from freezing.

If you bring the feeder in overnite, then tape the handwarmer to it at daybreak, it lasts all day."

He continued to recommend toe-warmers. Evidently they come with an adhesive strip making the process a tiny bit easier. I may try these! I had to defrost the three feeders twice today.

Another person said they use one of the feeders that "suction-cup" (is that a verb?) to a window. Evidently whatever heat from the window keeps the nectar from freezing during the day.

...Hey Bob and Bernie, you need to come up North where it's warmer!! ...you know I'm just kidding Unfortunately, the temps tomorrow aren't any warmer than it has been and Wednesday - more snow...

Ruth
Everett, WA
Zone 8

Hand warmer are another great idea. Thanks!!! In this kind of weather I bring my feeders in every 3 hours and change out the slush for warm sugar water. When we have winds and snow or winds and freezing rain some of the hole in the feeders will freeze over. But this a.m. all my feeders went out with hand warmers and foam rubber-banded to their bottoms. Looks like they all have little coats on. (-:

Wow...Bob & Bernie and Susan have seen colder temps than I have....I believe 19F has been my lowest so far.

Our forecast says there's a new front moving through tonight, bringing snow. As long as our temps are going to run so cold, I'll be happy to have more snow on the ground to offer more insulation for the in-ground plants.



Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place