hummingbirds

[ljlnc]

I just moved to LaBelle South and had a hummingbird feeder for a least a week without any hummingbirds. Always had humminbirds in NC. Any thoughts?

[HimandMe]

They are here....I've seen them...perhaps there is too much new construction in Labelle South just yet that keeps them away.
I live the hummingbirds!

[Barefoot]

I just moved to LaBelle South and had a hummingbird feeder for a least a week without any hummingbirds. Always had humminbirds in NC. Any thoughts?
Perhaps they've migrated further north to cooler climes like NC.
The hummingbirds start arriving here (Canada) in late April/May.
I find my hummingbird feeders also attract orioles which are lovely with bright orange breasts.

[Topspinmo]

I had more hummingbirds in my backyard Oklahoma than I seen here in central fl.:) also purple martins!

[stvaughn]

The Villages Homeowners Association Village Voice Articles - The Villages Homeowners Association (http://www.thevha.net/villages-voice/village-voice-articles/?disp=1&id=5783&aid=5790)

Read the above article in the Village Voice

[Jima64]

They are here but remember most are not native to Florida and are either lost or passing through. Also remember to change your feeder every few days in this high heat and humidity.

[cquick]

Hummingbirds are not common here in Central Florida. We are a "passthrough" area. I have heard that not too many hummers nest here.

[JerryLBell]

They are here but remember most are not native to Florida and are either lost or passing through. Also remember to change your feeder every few days in this high heat and humidity.
My wife and I are fairly serious birders and have a LOT of feeders of kinds at our home in North Carolina. When we bought our retirement home in The Villages last year, we had hummingbird-friendly plants put in and plan on putting up one or more hummingbird feeders. Despite all that, we both completely missed the fact that that hummer don't really live in Florida and only pass through (or are lost, as Jima64 points out). Ouch! The wife isn't going to enjoy hearing that!

[juneroses]

The ruby throat in my northern Villages area arrives about the 1st week in March. I've never paid attention to when I don't see it, but it and a friend or two are here now and will still be here to nectar on the firespike when it blooms in early fall. When we moved here I was determined to have hummers, so concentrated on planting what they liked. I haven't put out feeders for several years.

Among their favorites in my yard are coral honeysuckle, cuphea Vermillionaire, cuphea David Verity, salvia coccinea, salvia Hot Lips, salvia guaranitica 'Sapphire Blue', justicia "Orange Plume", both blue and red porterweed, russelia equiformis, tall red pentas, hyacinth bean vine, red firespike for its early fall bloom, and probably some others I've forgotten about.

I also have a neighbor who plants for hummers so, together, we offer what we think is a tempting buffet and have been rewarded.

I'd suggested planting some of their favorites and giving them time to find your "diner". They didn't rush to feed here initially but now they're regulars.

June

[EnglishJW]

The ruby throat in my northern Villages area arrives about the 1st week in March. I've never paid attention to when I don't see it, but it and a friend or two are here now and will still be here to nectar on the firespike when it blooms in early fall. When we moved here I was determined to have hummers, so concentrated on planting what they liked. I haven't put out feeders for several years.

Among their favorites in my yard are coral honeysuckle, cuphea Vermillionaire, cuphea David Verity, salvia coccinea, salvia Hot Lips, salvia guaranitica 'Sapphire Blue', justicia "Orange Plume", both blue and red porterweed, russelia equiformis, tall red pentas, hyacinth bean vine, red firespike for its early fall bloom, and probably some others I've forgotten about.

I also have a neighbor who plants for hummers so, together, we offer what we think is a tempting buffet and have been rewarded.

I'd suggested planting some of their favorites and giving them time to find your "diner". They didn't rush to feed here initially but now they're regulars.

June

Thank you June. We are planting a butterfly garden and will try to incorporate some of the plants you;ve suggested to hummingbirds. We have not seen one here in TV.

[Retiring]

My experience with bird feeders is that it takes time till they find the food. Once they find it you’ll see them regularly.

Last summer I saw a decrease of hummingbirds. I went to my local Wild Birds Unlimited for advice. I was changing the nectar every 3-4 days. In the heat that doesn’t work, it needs to be changed daily or every other day. Reason: what happens to sugar water when allowed to sit and heat up – it ferments. Yep, you’re feeding the birds booze. Some birds may like but most don’t. Change the nectar often.

When that hummingbird crashes into your window after feeding, it was FWI (flying while intoxicated). :)

[EnglishJW]

My experience with bird feeders is that it takes time till they find the food. Once they find it you’ll see them regularly.

Last summer I saw a decrease of hummingbirds. I went to my local Wild Birds Unlimited for advice. I was changing the nectar every 3-4 days. In the heat that doesn’t work, it needs to be changed daily or every other day. Reason: what happens to sugar water when allowed to sit and heat up – it ferments. Yep, you’re feeding the birds booze. Some birds may like but most don’t. Change the nectar often.

When that hummingbird crashes into your window after feeding, it was FWI (flying while intoxicated). :)

Thanks for the advice.

[wendyquat]

Been here five years and never been able to attract a hummingbird. I gave up this year!

[Barefoot]

In the heat that doesn’t work, it needs to be changed daily or every other day.
Good info, thanks. I didn't realize nectar could ferment.
I wondered why I have a daily lineup of hummers, orioles and even a red headed woodpecker.
I guess they think it's Happy Hour. :beer3: