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Another well-known foraging method for hummingbirds is to hover close to the sap-dripping holes from yellow-bellied sapsuckers and to feed on the insects attracted to the sap (as well as on the sap itself?). Jim in Wolfville ---------- From: David&Jane Schlosberg <dschlosb-g@ns.sympatico.ca> Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 12:16:25 -0300 To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Subject: RE: [NatureNS] ants invading hummingbird feeders Hi, Jean. I was concerned about the ants because they consumed so much of the syrup. A third of my container was gone in a couple of days, when no hummers were about. Also, we've really been overrun with these small ants this summer, and I don't feel that I want to feed them. You've given me a new perspective on the situation, though. Drat! Everything's always more complex than it appears! Thanks. Jane -----Original Message----- From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Jean Timpa Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:21 PM To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Subject: [NatureNS] ants invading hummingbird feeders I don't maintain hummingbird feeders, so I am not quite sure why there is such a fuss about the ants? Do they actually clog the openings to the feeder? I can see that it would not be so much fun to try to handle feeders with ants on them when replenishing the freshly made syrup. My curiosity about this is that hummingbirds do require a certain amount of protein in their diet, and I would think that the presence of the ants so close to their source of sugar syrup would be helpful to them and give them a far better chance at a balanced diet. Surely this is how hummies capture small insects, as they invade natural flowers for nectar. Are these syrup feeders really for the hummingbirds or for us? Jean Timpa in Wolfville
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