Any Hummingbird Watchers Out There?

Ossa

Elenamarie

I am in Canada and got my feeder at Walmart  made by cedarworks

Jaytee

Hi chickadee, Elena and lioness!    They are amazing, and its hard not to smile when you stand there watching them.  Chickadee, they should be showing up any day, looks like they are being spotted in Texas in quite a few places----but sounds like you are ready!!

It was unseasonably warm today in Ohio....feels like we are almost a month ahead, am wondering if they might get here earlier than usual this year.  Our weather is likely to change though and usually does.  Probably about the time my daughter will have spring break. We had a 12 inch snow in April many years ago.  Sure don't want to see that happen again.   I will be interested to see what that migration map looks like next week after this week of really warm weather.  

Good night everyone---

Jaytee

Hi Ossa---must have missed your post while I was typing mine. Do you usually see them this early up in Canada or are you having warmer than usual weather too?  

That museum sounds amazing, chickadee.  I was thinking about a restaurant that was featured on a Food Network show quite a while back.  Some little diner out west somewhere, I can't remember what state is was in or even what its name was but they had hummingbird feeders up all around the place and they talked about having to make gallons of nectar a day.  Anyone heard or know of this place? 

Ossa

Jaytee..

They usually show up about this time a year.. I am on the west coast about two hour north of Seattle We have very mild winters here

Wren44

Ours have stayed all winter. We have a feeder hanging from our deck roof and will put another one in a tree outside our living room window.  I love to watch them.

Chickadee

I think I missed him. Something flashed in the corner of my eye and then I noticed a tiny sway to the feeder. There is no wind today. Have to hang out near the kitchen window more.

beth1965

Hello all-i love hummingbirds! I really love to paint them birds are my specialty unfortunately my photography skills are not as good as my artist skills i was wondering if anyone has any good hummingbird pictures they wouldnt mind me using to paint once i get feeling a bit better. I am trying to get some incentive going for myself to keep on doing what i love doing.

FilterLady

Hi ya'll: I cleaned my feeders and made some nectar and hung one out on our deck where we usually have about 3 in various places around our deck.

Today, I saw the first one of the year!  Last year, they were swarming like bees.  They would light on the feeder as I would take it down to clean it and fill it up.  When I brought it out, they would land on it as I was hanging it up!  I love those hummers!

Jaytee

Yay FilterLady for seeing your first one!   The migration map shows a lot of movement just since Monday.  Looks like they are spotted as far up as N Carolina now.  I am really getting anxious to see one.  

How many feeders does everyone hang up?  I am up to about 5 now.  Have to have one in the front yard and several in the back.  Think I will get one this year that attaches to the kitchen window so I can see them close up.

Last year a chemo buddy of mine had to spend some time in a nursing home after a bout of pneumonia, I took her a window feeder and just prayed that the birds would find it--they did.  She loved watching them and everyone who came in the room was excited to see them.   Wish I could buy a feeder for every window at that place.  

SoCalLisa

SoCalLisa

Jaytee

Beautiful pictures!    Did you take them in your yard?

Chickadee

So envious of you Cali girls. Beautiful picture.

Jaytee

Did you get to spend more time by the kitchen window, Chickadee?   Have you seen one yet? Hope so,

coraleliz

SoCalLisa-What kind of hummingbirds are they? Nice pics!!

Blessings2011

Jaytee - I had a feeder that stuck to my kitchen window with a suction cup - I loved it!!!! And so did the ants...

My MIL is in a nursing home. We hung a bird feeder outside her window. She loves it...watches it all day long....it's a regular bird feeder, though, not a hummer feeder. That would be hard to clean and fill on a regular basis. As it is, the other birds go through a bag of bird seed a week!

SoCalLisa - what stunning pics!!! Of course, all your work is gorgeous....

Chickadee

Still waiting. I must have imagined that first one. But any day now.

Jaytee

Blessings....... Oh, those pesky ants!  Hate em.  I do know of a little suction cup bracket, then I could use an ant guard with a small hanging feeder.   I'll figure it out somehow! 

FilterLady

I usually have about 6 feeders out and they'll still swarm around them!  So far I've only seen one but I know more are on the way!

The photos are beautiful!

Paisly

Hi i am a hummingbird watcher. I love those little busy birds.

Jaytee

Hi Paisly-----I am anxiously awaiting their arrival here in Ohio!   What part of the state are you located, I am in central Ohio.    Are you loving this unusually warm weather?

vicky3blum

Thank you for starting this thread! Almost one of those tiny yet wonderful answers to prayer. I came to the board feeling pretty sorry for myself.  My first oncologist appointment was yesterday and at the time of my mastectomy someone had forgotten to put in an order for an oncotype so I have to wait another 2 weeks to see what my treatment will be.  the day after the appointment we are moving in a camper to the mountains. In an attempt to save our home [ we spent all og our money plus more on our youngest son who is quite ill] we are trying to rent it out.  Anyway, I came to the board to try to cheer up a bit and here was the hummingbird thread.  That reminded me how excited I am to hang hummingbird feeders all around our camper, plus hang many on trhe 10 miles of trais in the area we are moving to.  Thank you so much! I am excited again.

Paisly

Hi Jaytee! Loving the warm weather. I live in Strongsville, sw of Cleveland. I cannot wait to put out my feeders.

cinnamonsmiles

Does anyone know of a website that could tell me what flowers to grow to attract hummingbirds? I live in central WI. And, do any of you have a  homemade recipe for making food for hummingbird feeders?

I have one or two that like my zinnias,but I would love to attract more!

YramAL

Can someone post a nectar recipe for the hummingbird newbie?

Thanks,

Mary 

makingway

You're gonna love this! It's a live webcam of a nest near where I live in California http://phoebeallens.com/

Anonymous

Hummingbird nectar is typically 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. 

If you love orioles, get an ORANGE feeder and do 1 part sugar to 6 parts water.  Orioles are attracted to the color orange, love orange halves and grape jelly.

I've heard that making the nectar a little sweeter might keep them at your house instead of your neighbors but I don't know if that's healthy for them.  The orioles will also eat hummingbird nectar if you just don't feel up to making two.

Another tip (I subscribe to Birds & Blooms magazine...), make up a large (I do a half gallon at a time) container of nectar and just refrigerate what you don't use for the next time around.  That has saved me tons of work.  I do warm up the nectar (about 20 sec in microwave) I'm going to use next in a separate cup so that I'm not putting out really cold nectar, though.

Chickadee

Sugar water= 4 parts water 1 part sugar



I use my 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup. 1 cup sugar. Microwave the water to almost boiling. Add sugar. It dissolves better in very hot water. If the water boiled be careful pouring the sugar in as the water can erupt.



Let it cool and then add to your feeders. Keep leftover in fridge.

Jaytee

Hi vicky-------sounds like you have been through so much.  How is your son doing?   Wish you didnt have to go through bc on top of it all.  Will be keeping you and your son in my prayers.  Last spring I was going through radiation after having a mx in Feb.  Before that I had 5 months of chemo.  Watching  those hummingbirds gave me something else to focus on during the spring and summer.  Sounds like it will be good for you too.  You have got a lot on your plate, but if you can, pop in and let me know when you see your first birds and let me know how you are doing.    hugs to you----judy

Anonymous

LOL, Chickadee...thank you for adding the cooking directions.  Didn't even think of that!!  Definitely boil the water.  I usually add my sugar and water together and bring it to a boil on my stove top when making a large batch.