Tag: Hummingbirds

Backyard Birding: A Soap Opera of Feathers in Central New York

Dear fellow birdwatching control freaks,

A group of four northern cardinals perched on a branch surrounded by lush green leaves, showcasing their vibrant red plumage and distinct crests, in a bright and serene natural setting.

For those of you who, like me, are old enough to remember flipping through TV Guide for the latest Guiding Light episode, a soap opera (per Wikipedia) is a long-running radio or TV serial full of melodrama, ensemble casts, and just enough sentimentality to make you reach for the tissues. Well, move over, daytime TV, my patio feeders in Central New York have become the stage for a full-blown birding soap opera, and I’m the meddling matriarch trying to manage my feathered “children.”

Here’s the latest drama unfolding in my backyard:

  1. All My Cardinal Children

Every evening from 4 to 7 p.m., a father-and-son cardinal pair swoops in for their sunflower seed fix. How do I know they’re related? Two male cardinals sharing a feeder without a squabble is rare, usually, it’s a feathered showdown, with one chasing the other off in a huff, because, you know, it’s a bird-eat-bird world out there. (Want more cardinal gossip? Check out my post on cardinals.) But one night, the young cardinal showed up alone, looking worried. “Dad? Where are you Dad?”

 Just watch this homemade video of him chirping his little heart out.

Amateur video of young cardinal missing his dad. Turn up the volume.

Like any worried mama, cardinal, or human, I started spiraling. Was Father Cardinal hurt? Captured by a hawk? Or, heaven forbid, mixed up with the wrong flock at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge? My mind raced back to those sleepless nights, fretting over my own teens: “Are they in a ditch? Snorting coke somewhere? In jail?” Thankfully, to my utter relief, Daddy Cardinal zoomed back the next night, bold as ever, like nothing happened. Crisis averted, but my heart’s still recovering from the drama.

2. One Hummer Life to Live

Then there’s the hummingbird saga. Between sweat bees dominating my feeder and one ruby-throated hummingbird chasing its rival away, my heart broke watching those tiny jewels miss out on the sweet nectar I painstakingly boiled and cooled just for them. So, channeling my inner mama bear (or mama bird?), I grabbed my trusty fly swatter and charged outside to shoo those stubborn bees away from the feeder.

Big mistake. Those bees were as stubborn as a boyfriend refusing to sit through The Notebook. They turned on me, angry as a wet hen at Daisy Hollow Farm. I darted back inside, swatting bees from my hair, and took cover behind the screen door. But those little pests zipped right back to the feeder like it was an all-you-can-eat wing night at Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse. I get it, it’s in their nature, but have you ever tried to control your kids, your pets, or even wild birds? CNY bird nerd wants to know.

But the bees kept stealing the spotlight. I was too furious to record them. Now that it’s September, I’m not bothering to replace my feeder with a bee-proof one (like this one I’ve got my eye on). Fingers crossed for a winter sale at Amazon. For now, the hummingbird drama had me on edge, but I’ve learned to let it go. Sometimes, you just have to let the birds (and bees) sort it out.

What’s your feeder drama?

Have you witnessed a showdown at your feeders or out in the field—maybe at Green Lakes State Park or the Finger Lakes trails? Share your stories below so we can laugh, cry, and console each other over our backyard soap operas. Let’s keep the birding drama alive!

Hummingbirds: Finger Lakes Brainiacs Who Never Forget a Feeder

Dear Hummingbird Fans,

On May 1, 2025, I’m buzzing like a Tom Thumb’s Ice Cream on opening day, my first Ruby-Throated Hummingbird hit my feeder before I could sip my morning coffee. This green-glitzed diva hovers with the grace of an acrobat. Happiness evolves watching these marvels flit just feet from my window. Their brilliance lifts my spirits. But her best trick? A memory so sharp it makes my ADHD brain look like a hyperactive squirrel, that thinks their sunflower seeds are in the hummingbird feeder. Say what??

Nectar GPS Masters
Hummingbirds plot nectar stops like an Amazon driver’s route from Syracuse to Ithaca. My backyard Ruby-Throat visits every salvia patch as though it’s on her Yelp list. Meanwhile, I forget whether I ate breakfast. They know a flower refills in 15 minutes, much like the patron at Foxy’s in Homer. Last spring, one little visitor seemed to ignore my shiny new feeder. Instead, she chose to swoop down near the Tioughnioga River. Here’s a tip for future success: keep your feeder in the same spot every May. Those feathered friends have your ZIP code locked in like bikers heading to Dinosaurs BBQ.

Do they remember us?

This incredible bird remembers every feeder and nectar source across the Finger Lakes region. It’s like she has this amazing mental map. A natural brainwave that astounds me every time she returns, reminding me how mind-blowing these hummingbirds are. Each flutter of her wings creates a mesmerizing display. I find myself absorbed in the mini-ballet dancer of nature outside my window. Every sighting feels like a springtime gift. It transforms an ordinary day into something truly special.

Here’s why these tiny geniuses rule my patio

Experts suggest hummingbirds remember when it was last there and whether it was worth the trip. That means the birds we watch might see us as Bru 64, serving up Guava Passion Fruit. There’s one adorable hummingbird that often buzzes around me. She zips so close that I can’t help but feel she might have a little mental list of ‘Weird Humans that feed me,’ with my face proudly stamped on it.          

Brainier than most birds
Did you know that their brains pack a punch, accounting for a whopping 4.2% of their body weight? It’s like having a mini Einstein in charge of my feeder. That fancy little part of the brain, the hippocampus, is an absolute genius at mapping out flowers. Far superior to my own attempts at navigating through Walmart on a busy Sunday morning. Scientists say their extraordinary memory is crucial for mating. It is essential for survival, too. For me, in my yard, it means they never forget the spectacular salvia patch from Valley View Gardens. It’s a favorite hotspot for bird-watchers. Gardening enthusiasts love it, too!

“Got a brainy hummer?” Share your best feeder story or a photo of your feeder setup in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

Bonus: Keep your feeder steady for a week. Let me know if she returns with all the wisdom of a PhD graduate from Cornell University. Until next time, keep your nectar flowing and your memory growing.

PS: My favorite nectar recipe: 4 cups of water for every 1 cup of sugar. Heat the water until it reaches a boil, then add the sugar. Cool it in the fridge, and voila, you’ll have fresh nectar.