I have read that these early migrating hummingbirds feed at Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker holes. Because of this, I was thrilled to have a Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker in my back yard this winter, although I only caught him using one
of several mature black walnut trees.

This brings up a few questions:

What attracts hummers to trees that YBS have used?

Are most early migrants seen in heavily forested areas?

What trees do Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers prefer?

Knowing that there should not be any blooming nectar sources this early, do
early migrants even care about red surveyor's tape?

To increase the chance of seeing an early migrant, could one tie surveyor's
tape to the branches of a tree used by a YBS? (This actually came to me as a
middle of the night, can't go back to sleep vision of my walnut tree adorned
with red like Christmas Tree tinsel, and inspired the rest of the questions)

Thanks in advance

Laura
Elsberry, MO
Zone 5b

Our pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers showed up this week and started there mating rituals, there will be much electrical transformer drumming for the next little while.

Paper birch and weeping birch seem to be there favorites here in the spring and for leaving the fledglings on, in the winter we don't see them there off somewhere else.

We have a weeping birch in the front yard and I am amazed its still alive its almost solid holes, they might be able use it again this year I am sure they will try hopefully it will produce, last year it didn't so they moved to the neighbors paper birches.

I have seen rufous use the sap wells and I have seen five Sapsuckers on the tree at one time when the babies are fledging.

If this tree dies we will replace it with the same thing just for the sapsuckers.




Martin
--
Vancouver Island, zone 8B
Nikon D70/D200 300 f4 af-s, 400 2.8 af-i
www.frogpondphotography.com
www.frogpondphotography.blogspot.com

Laura there are many of us who have used red to attract that first migrant. Ribbons, hats, birdbaths, and tablecloths to mention a few. Some even paint the homes red or put on a red roof. Also red water hoses. Adorn that tree with red tinsel and post a picture.

It is amazing what will come to mind in the wee hours of the night or early morning.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31