Humming bird feeders?
 

Thinking about putting up a humming bird feeder but not sure when I can expect humming birds around The Villages. Anyone have them out and seeing a lot of Humming birds?

We hang our feeder in March. A lot depends on the weather when you see them.

Migration Basics

Since 2009, I've seen my first hummer of the year in March except for this year. This year on January 2nd there was a ruby throat nectaring on the red pentas outside my office window. It was there for quite a while so I had considerable time to watch it. I next saw it, or its relative, in March.

I now have plants that they like growing in areas I can view from the house, so I no longer hang a feeder.

ok thanks, march will give me some time to make humming bird nector, i don't work as fast as i used to.

Anyone see Humming birds yet. I put out my feeder a few weeks ago and haven't seen any as of 4/1/?

The hummingbirds arrived last week. Our first was on Thursday.

2 cups boiling water, 1 cup sugar, couple drops of red dye. Mix while water is hot. Spray top of feeder with Pam to keep ants off. We leave it out until empty.

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It's best not to add red dye to the mixture. There is controvery as to whether or not the dye harms the hummers; no conclusive evidence that I've read of but to be safe, omit it. Nectar in flowers is not red. The colorful feeder itself will attract the hummer.

The generally accepted ratio of water to table sugar is 4:1. For example, with 1 cup of water, use ¼ cup sugar. This most closely minics natural nectar. “Sweeter” formulas spoil faster.

It seems convenient to fill the feeder to the brim and forget about it until it's empty, but the sugary formula will quickly spoil in our heat. Better to put a lesser amount in, dump and clean the feeder 1-2 times per week, and then refill.

I've read that hummers won't eat the spoiled nectar (just as we humans won't eat a moldy sandwich). The “empty” feeder may be the result of evaporation.

Juneroses you are absolutely correct on your post. If I make to much 4/1 mixture I store it in the fridge - replace or replenish several times a week - and always thoroughly clean all 3 feeders. They don't need the dye to be attracted and it is potentially harmful.

the birds do not need the food coloring....

We enjoyed dozens of hummingbirds up North...when we moved down here we were a bit bummed that they were not as prevalent. however, we have seen many hummingbirds at Pear Park in Leesburg, and my wife saw one in our front yard today.
She mixed a batch of nectar and hung out our best feeder......hopefully we will attract more....

Frank

1st one today
 

Saw my first one today! WOW