Necessities for Widlife Photography?

For the past 3 months, I've been picking up wildlife photography. Birds are really my thing, and definitely one of the harder things to photograph. My big interest is hummingbirds, and I'm going to try to get a little studio going in my backyard next season. This will most likely be a branch with an area for bait, then a background behind such as some flowers.

I'm using a Nikon D3100 with a 70 - 300mm VR lens f/4.5-5.6, and mostly hand shooting. With around $1000, what should be the first things to get? I have a tripod that isn't the best, but I think a wireless shutter release would be more than fine. The problem with my current tripod is that when I press down on the shutter release, the force of my finger causes the camera to move a little bit.

All suggestions welcome!
Cheers!

Yes, you do need a better tripod.

Tripods are not supposed to move when you press the shutter release.,

Since you will evetntaully be buying a heavier telephoto lens like a 300 mm f/2.8 or 200-400 mm f/4, you need one that can hold at least 7kg.

Remote shutter releases do not have to be wireless. I use a standard, Nikon MC-30A Remote Trigger Release with plugs into the camera.

Your D3100 can use the MC-DC2 Remote Release Cord (1 meter) which costs less than $36, so you still have a lot more money for other possibles accessories.

Water treatment pills, mosquito repellants, sunblock lotion, and a good number of fresh underwear.

Oh, backyard? The tripod is essential. The wireless remote should solve finger shake problem. All you need next is a bowl full of sugared water you can splash around the leaves and flowers of the plants in front of your camera.

I'm not about the wireless remote shooters. I'm old school and use the wire ones.
I also shoot birds. As we have some rare birds in our area that is just amazing to catch on "film"
a tri pod is a must more so if your using a longer lens.

my answer isn't of much help. As i'm not a professional but I do have a passion to snap away. And have been snapping away for many years.

These folks have some tips for shooting animals.
http://www.geofflawrence.com/photographing_animals.html

You'll definitely need a better tripod and remote shutter. I prefer the wired ones to the wireless, honestly. You're going to want a stronger telephoto than 300mm or else you're still going to have to get pretty close. I have that trouble--mine goes up to 250mm and I was trying to shoot some sandhill cranes and couldn't get close enough to get very close-up shots before I scared them away.