I saw One last week while gardening, and I'm having to refill the feeders so I'm saying I have them here, But working everyday doesn't give me time to get a picture,, But While I'm home The camera is on standby!
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
//www.agardenersforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/190118/fpart/1 I always like to look back and see when I saw my first hummer from the year before so I can compare. I read through there and I guess I didn't post when I saw my first one. But I did see that we were getting snow on April 25th!
Thorny That is the same one I have in the picture,, I placed a red ribbon on it
Cheryl,, I am sooooooooo envious, you guys up there see sooooooo many more for longer periods than the rest of the county that was an awesome Picture!
Thanks Sheri,, I knew they were drinking from it because I've had to refill it so often,, I was about to take it down and refill when I saw it! Glad I had my camera in hand at the right moment.
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
Thanks Shirley and Diane. We are pretty lucky here that we have them for so long. I think we only get 3 species in the seattle area though? I could be wrong about that. I know that the ana's hummer is the one that winters here. Poor little things must have frozen their little tooshies off with the bad freezing weather we had this winter. I couldn't even leave my feeder out for them during the freeze because it's glass and I was afraid it would break. This years goal is to get another feeder, one with perches, and a bird bath or two. We'll see. I definately want to get a really shallow bird bath to try to catch the hummers bathing, I think that would be really neat!
Great pictures Diane and Cheryl. Diane - you captured the ruby throat really well! Cheryl - that is such a pretty picture on your pretty feeder.
By the way... did you know that hummers prefer to play in mists of water? They sell misters just for that purpose, but I've had some dance in and out of the spray of my hose while watering plants!
I make my own nectar. I use one part table sugar to four parts tap water. NO RED DYE! Just stir the mixture until All the sugar dissolves. AND DO NOT USE ANY DYE IN THE NECTAR, RED, OR ANY OTHER COLOR!
I'm Thornius, the Bird Man here. I'm in Nashville TN. Welcome to the forums lisajonathan00! RED DYE IN THE NECTAR IS HARMFUL TO THE HUMMERS!!! Put the red ON and AROUND the feeders, NOT IN THE NECTAR!!
Trumpet Creeper seems to work well for Hummers and Downy Woodpeckers like it, TOO.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
My feeders are red and yellow a Hummingbirds favorite colors the wires that fasten them up are red vinyl. That's all you need. Besides mine don't start showing up until the end of June through the middle of July.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
They don't like your feeders, because you haven't put the red dye in.
Not true, Stevie. Thorny is correct on not using dye - I have read where it really destroys the hummingbird's digestive tract. One doesn't need red food - the red on the feeders is really enough to attract them.
OK, so by looking at the map, the hummers have already been seen in the Dallas area? Are these just scouts? I have my feeder out, but no signs of them yet. My Cross Vine is blooming and they usually like that. Most everything else they care for is not blooming yet.
Dallas is one of the first places to get Hummers. Hummers are funny though. The males come first as scouts then the females come. In spring the tend to depend more on the natural food although some DO come to feeders. I see more in the woods than at feeders in spring. In early July, after the young have left the nest, the Hummers finally start visiting feeders regularly. Then they are not only seen around NATURAL food sources they SWARM to the feeders. So don't expect to see many at your feeders in spring. They use the feeders more in mid-Summer.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
They don't like your feeders, because you haven't put the red dye in.
Not true, Stevie. Thorny is correct on not using dye - I have read where it really destroys the hummingbird's digestive tract. One doesn't need red food - the red on the feeders is really enough to attract them.
Oh no, I am 100% sure on this one- the red dye is really good for them, high in fibre, vitamin B and D, essential fatty acids and also kryptonite!
interesting Thornius. Last year I had out a clear with red and yellow dots with a yellow top feeder and the hummers would NEVER use it. Remember that saga? They like my red one and my plain clear ones.
Red and Yellow. You might be thinking of McDonalds.
OK, how do you guys get those little boxes within the the posts?
OK, so I'm not expert by any means, but at my house year before last I did a test...I put out 2 identical feeders...one with my homemade sugar water and the other with store bought with red color. Moral of the story....they completely ignored the feeder with the red coloring and drank from the clear "nectar" everytime.
I have not ever died my water because I did not know if it would hurt them or not, so I just did color free nectar. I do have my feeders colored up. Thanks for the advice and welcome. I have a orange trumpet vine ordered. Hope that will work as well. I will look for the trumpet creeper and get one for the other side. Thanks
Lisa - I don't mean to burst your bubble, and I hope this is not the case for you, but very often it can take about 5 years before you see the first bloom on a trumpet vine. I got my first bloom exactly 5 years after I planted it - on my daughter's birthday in August as a matter of fact. I used to be on a few other forums and that was the general consensus about those plants.
I haven't planted trumpet creeper. I hope they both flower well for you!
Some other plants that they love are sages, butterfly bushes, rose of sharon bushes, hosta flowers, mostly any tubular shaped flower.
Some vines I have grown that they like are purple hyacinth bean, scarlet runner beans, cardinal flower vine, firecracker vine, and honeysuckle vines.
I put my feeders in the dishwasher yesterday and need to make some food for them today. I have always seen my first hummer of the year the first week in May. I have recorded this for about 10 years now, and it amazes me how they are right on target every year - WONDERFUL!
I am new to vines, so I didn't know, but now I do. I will do research on the ones you stated as far as bees go. I have an archway that I want a vine to go around and thought of one for the hummers. Thanks for the info.
OK, how do you guys get those little boxes within the the posts?
OK, so I'm not expert by any means, but at my house year before last I did a test...I put out 2 identical feeders...one with my homemade sugar water and the other with store bought with red color. Moral of the story....they completely ignored the feeder with the red coloring and drank from the clear "nectar" everytime.
Hi iggygal, just click on the 'quote' button at the bottom of the window.
Lynne you were saying they are right on schedule for the last ten years,, Well I too have noticed ,, since last year I've seen at least one at my feeders between 6 and 7 PM generally around 6:25 it happened again this evening,,
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
Yes, not only do they return here during the same week, but they also tank up for the night at the same time of day as well. Glad you noticed that - it makes it easier to watch them when you are home!
Faaaaaaantastic photos Diane-----thanks for sharing.
I too am like Lynne--My Hummers and a stray Oriole or 2 come the first week of May--although this will only be my 5th year of keeping track in this house.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Lynne you were saying they are right on schedule for the last ten years,, Well I too have noticed ,, since last year I've seen at least one at my feeders between 6 and 7 PM generally around 6:25 it happened again this evening,,
thanks all,,,,,,,,, I potted up some nicotina plants in a pot and Planted some in ground I read these are in the top ten for Hummingbirds to love. I guess I'll find out,, I'm keeping a close eye on these and the feeders,, mannnnnnn I need about three sets of eyes here to help me
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
Diane - nicotiana has teensy seeds and will reseed if you let them. They are very easy to grow from seeds if you also want to collect them - just let the flower heads get totally dry. I used to grow them on my deck railing and would find baby plants the next year on the ground below!
Can't wait to see your pictures of the hummers on the flowers!
Love your pictures Diane! I just ordered a new feeder that has perches and I'm so excited! It matches my current feeder and they're already used to it so I consider this new one a bonus. I've seen 2 or 3 chasing each other around a lot today. I had never seen one before getting a feeder and now it seems I see, or at hear them, all the time. One of them buzzed right next to my ear today and scared me half to death. I hope to get some more pictures soon.
I keep trying to figure out why the hummer's all of a sudden stopped visiting my feeder even though I've seen them around a lot and I even got buzzed by one this weekend. I think I figured it out. 1/4 cup sugar to 2 cups of water is not a 1 to 4 mixture. I didn't even realize I had done that until I went to make more for my new feeder that is being delivered tomorrow. Maybe now I'll start seeing more of them. My b/f had brought up the idea of getting me a D60 for my birthday and I had originally told him that was too much camera and I hadn't even fully learned my P80 yet. I'm starting to reconsider after reading about setting up a tripod. Then I could sit on my porch with a remote in hand and snap away whenever they come by. I'll post pics of my new feeder by this weekend.
I did get my new feeder up but didn't like the angle it was at so I moved it. Haven't had a chance to get a good picture of it, it starting raining again. I would love to have a new DSLR camera, unfortunately they are very expensive. We do have one for the kids to share and my b/f (boyfriend) said I could use it too, I just need to learn it.
I was outside at 8 this morning... before the rain was to start, and before my parents were to come over to get some of the free compost we got yesterday. I wanted to spread the last bags in the front gardens so it would look nice by the time they got here.
All of a sudden I was BUZZED by what sounded like a GINORMOUS BEE!!!!! I waved my hands around my head, and said sternly yet softly (after all it was only 8 on a Sunday morning - couldn't wake the neighbors!!!) "GET OUT OF HERE!", but when I picked up my head I was so pleasantly surprised to see the first hummingbird of this year drinking from the feeder not 2 feet away!!! I quickly apologized to him, and spoke softly so he'd get used to my being there. He came back 4 more times while I finished spreading my compost, and I saw him again at about 5p.m. on the same feeder.
I can't tell you all how excited I am!!! I wait for this day every year! :ding: AND... it is the exact same date that I saw my first hummer last year. I just love how "on the mark" these tiny birds are!
Okay, here is my question for all you folks who use feeders for the hummingbirds.
How do you deal with the bees the feeders attract?
When I kept feeders in the past when Maxi was small, the bees were SUCH a problem, I had to take them down. I'd like to put them up again but I'm still concerned about that.
My sister said she just "deals with it, knowing they will be there." but I dunno!
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
They definitely do attract bees. I have mine in an area that the bees aren't a bother to us every day but we have a large yard and that works for us. I know that wouldn't work for you. I hope somebody comes along with a solution for you so that you can enjoy the hummingbirds!!
Merme - have you seen those glass bee traps? They are rather pretty and the bees swarm to the same liquid in there that is in the hummingbird feeders and get stuck inside. I use one near my hummer feeder and it works pretty well. Most stores sell them this season and they are very affordable.
You can even make them from 2 liter soda bottles - I did this before I bought some glass ones on sale. You cut the bottle below the opening about where the top of the label is - cut it all the way off. Then you invert the mouth of the bottle inside the bottom part and staple the 2 pieces all the way around. Poor a sweet solution - juice, hummer food, etc - into the bottom about an inch or 2 high. The bees fly down into the bottom to get the liquid but cannot fly back out.
I've seen a different humming bird today,, He looks almost all Grey in color, I saw him through my kitchen window,, I still see the red throat as well,, everyday Lynne What kind of humming bird was it on the feeder on the deck in your picture in the critter corner,, I'm trying to keep tabs on the hummingbirds we all see and what time (month) we see them, and compare it too the Migration map at the beginning of this thread
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
Red throated Hummers are soooooooo pretty, I have a window feeder on ,my bedroom window 2 ft from the computer desk,, I saw one of them within an arms reach had the window been open. I didn't even bother with the camera beside me I just wanted to study it,, I saw his red throat perfectly,, everything in detail up close and personal. Something a camera can't capture is a delighted feeling .
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
I just wanted to say that I put my Hummingbird feeders out today (well Val helped) and by this evening at 6--I saw my first Hummer. as usual he was sitting on my tomato cage that is in my large pot just to the side of my one HB feeder. This hummer was short & fat , just like the one I call "pete"--so I told Rod that this was my house & so I could decide if this was indeed "Pete" or not--and I have decided it is.--
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Hummingbirds return to the same yards each year, so that IS Pete. I'm still waiting for my three. Hummercane Camille and Fra Hummer, my two females, and Bubba Hum my lone male.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
I was so pleasantly surprised to see the first hummingbird of this year drinking from the feeder not 2 feet away!!!
I can't tell you all how excited I am!!! I wait for this day every year! :ding: AND... it is the exact same date that I saw my first hummer last year. I just love how "on the mark" these tiny birds are!
I am so very Happy for you Lynne----I too just love seeing the little guys when they return.
Thorny: How soon until your little guys return to your yard???
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Wonder if these little creatures realize we humans wait with anticipation for their return each year. if you didn't get your mixture right last year they make you wait a while for punishment or visit the neighbors yard. :wink:
They usually come around July 1st but two years ago TODAY Camille showed up, on May 5, 2007. Then we had the worst drought in Nashville's history and I didn't see her again until July 2008
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
Wonder if these little creatures realize we humans wait with anticipation for their return each year. if you didn't get your mixture right last year they make you wait a while for punishment or visit the neighbors yard. :wink:
I am lucky in that no one else on my street or nearby feeds them. I have 3 feeders out for them and plant many flowers that I know they like, and they reward me each year by returning - good deal!
If you have more than one hummingbird feeder, place them out of sight of one another. This will keep an aggressive male hummingbird from dominating additional feeders.
Paint yellow bee guards on hummingbird feeders with red fingernail polish to discourage bees and wasps that are attracted to yellow.
I just read this in Birds N Blooms. If you have more than one hummingbird feeder, place them out of sight of one another. This will keep an aggressive male hummingbird from dominating additional feeders.
sounds right, Sheri-- I have 2 feeders and they ARE in sight of one another---My Pete sits on the Tomato cage that is closest to the one feeder on my deck and doesnt't let too many other hummers feed on that feeder---However HE eats at the feeder out in the flower bed---Strange bird.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
I've got some on the window so they are in sight of one in the yard.
What about this part - Paint yellow bee guards on hummingbird feeders with red fingernail polish to discourage bees and wasps that are attracted to yellow - One of my feeders came with yellow the other didn't.
have not had much luck so far this year with my humming birds return i did see him a couple of times early in the morning around June 1st but nothing since I have put a feeder out perhaps the mixture is too weak could someone give me the recipe, thank you oh last year I also had a humming bird moth on my rose of sharon which frequented around the same time each evening for about a week and then it was gone Iwas well pleased at seeing this it would lovely to see this again but do not know of its life cycle perhaps I was lucky and it was just a one off,stelbel. ont .Canada.
have not had much luck so far this year with my humming birds return i did see him a couple of times early in the morning around June 1st but nothing since I have put a feeder out perhaps the mixture is too weak could someone give me the recipe, thank you oh last year I also had a humming bird moth on my rose of sharon which frequented around the same time each evening for about a week and then it was gone Iwas well pleased at seeing this it would lovely to see this again but do not know of its life cycle perhaps I was lucky and it was just a one off. ont .Canada.
Hi there, Dont give up.. it is breeding season, and when mine first showed up in may they again were scarce until the past week or so. I have bunches now.. I boil 4 cups of plain water then add 1 cup plain sugar once the water comes to a boil Store it in a quart plastic juice pitcher, like the rubber maid ones.. And refridgerate. Just keep the feeder fresh and in a space that is in the shade most of the day, other wise the mixture will not keep as long and you will be changing it more. Do not let it get cloudy, a sign of bad bacteria growing. If you dont have hardly any birds now, just fill the feeder half way. When you start attracting them you can fill it up or even add another feeder in another part of the yard. One last note, I find the 4 to one mixture is just right, but I do know some watchers that use a 5 to one.. and the hummers will still go for it. Remember its just an energy boost so they can hunt for insects, its not their main diet. I also know some fils that use a 3 to one mix, thats almost like syrup, and they dont visit as often, too sweet. Good luck and dont give up. they are around!
Last edited by Ditchy; Jun 15th, 2009 at 03:28 PM.
Thorn, you mentioned that birds return to the same yards each year. Is that because of the food or because it's on their route to wherever? If a person moves and the new tennants don't put out food will the birds stick around or move on?
I have a hummingbird hanging out on the bartlett pear guide wire. He's just sitting there. He's one of the emerald green ones if that means anything. He welcomed me home as I was walking up the sidewalk to the house. I guess he wanted to thank me for all the petunias. He seemed to like them anyway.
You have a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, T.K.! Get a feeder out. The Hummer will stick around and MORE may probably come. Your nectar should be one part table sugar to four parts tap water. NO DYE!!!!! Dissolve the sugar in the water completely and hang it up. The Hummers will find it easily. Set up a comfortable chair and maybe a camera about 10 feet away and enjoy the show. The Hummers don't mind. they aren't bothered by people at all. They LOVE people.
Last edited by Thornius; Jun 19th, 2009 at 08:34 AM.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
Mine seem to be having a good time buzzing my head and scaring the crap out of me when I'm working out there this year. And, they are getting really good at staying and taking nice long drinks when I don't have my camera and only taking quick drinks when I do. They play with me.
fantastic picture---my feeders are down for a few days---the neighbors bees were all coming to my feeders & killing themselves in my nectar.---I will put them back the 27th. :wink:
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
have you guys found the hummers extremely active lately. I keep thinking that means it's time to fatten up and move on. They like the window feeder Diane gave me better than the other two and I'm having to fill it every day.
Mine are extremely active right now, Sheri. They are cleaning my feeders out on a daily basis also. I know it is getting time for them to leave here. It is getting chilly already. I will be sad to see them go.
I suddenly have THREE coming to my feeders again! Here is a pic I took of one of them I took yesterday, a female that was born in my yard last year who has returned again this year. I call her, Fra Hummer.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
have you guys found the hummers extremely active lately. I keep thinking that means it's time to fatten up and move on. They like the window feeder Diane gave me better than the other two and I'm having to fill it every day.
Sheri: yes I have 2 large hummingbird feeders--and I refill them usually once a day now. The Orioles have even began coming back to my one feeder.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
I got a letter from my little male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Bubba Hum. He's staying in the deep jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula living in a flower filled vine that is growing down the front of the Mayan Temple of Death. He's met this local female Hummer, Quetzaco-WOW-WOW!! She's a gorgeous blue-green Hummer with a 12 inch long tail. Apparently they have hit it off quite well. He says he will see me next spring and says he sends his love to everyone on the forum here.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes..
EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
Beautiful, Thorny. I have seen pictures before. I think we don't see those up here because their tail keeps them from migrating. Too much luggage to drag on long distance trips.
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
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But I did see that we were getting snow on April 25th! 
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Please keep them there! I have been seeing more and more of those these days which is mind boggling considering the price of gas!
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I hope so ~I have a lot of HB Plants started this year, 
I quickly apologized to him, and spoke softly so he'd get used to my being there. He came back 4 more times while I finished spreading my compost, and I saw him again at about 5p.m. on the same feeder.
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