Hummingbird questions

[dizzy]

My sons spotted one at 11:30 am today in our backyard. They say there was a bit of red on the throat. Just curious do your hummers hang around in your yard? Or do they take a sip and bolt away? I guess it depends on the time of year and what your backyard has to offer.

mike

[Howieh]

My sons spotted one at 11:30 am today in our backyard. They say there was a bit of red on the throat. Just curious do your hummers hang around in your yard? Or do they take a sip and bolt away? I guess it depends on the time of year and what your backyard has to offer.

mike

They normally sip and run at about five minute intervals except early and late in the day when they come every minute or so. I didn't put the feeder up until late June so I didn't get migrants but at least two females became 'regulars' the next day! Next year I'll put up two feeders as soon as the first migrants are reported north of Lake Erie and with luck I'll get to see some duelling males (or nesting females!). I don't have many flowers in my yard but there are some phlox that the hummers go to if I'm too close to the feeder when they show up.

[dizzy]

Hi Howieh, thanks for replying. Sounds like your getting alot of action.

mike

[Howieh]

I guess it depends on what you mean by action (today happens to be our anniversary and there's probably a joke implied but we won't go there...) I know when I'm home I can go sit in the back yard and within ten minutes (usually sooner) a hummer will visit the feeder but lots of people have more than one feeder with many hummingbirds hanging around all the time so, of course, it's all relative!

One thing I will say - if you are going to get involved with hummingbirds you'd better have a lot of time on your hands because they can become addictive (not to mention feeder maintenance in hot weather because of the possibilities of mold, nectar fermentation, etc.). I actually bought a second one but I think I'll wait until next spring before using it.