Hummingbirds are back!

**Darlene** · 05-06-2008, 01:44 PM

I get so excited when they come back and just heard the little pipsqueek noise they make when I happened to pass by my open kitchen window where I have a feeder waiting for them. They are wonderful garden friends and a joy to me.

You enjoying them where you are?

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

**G'MaDebbie** · 05-06-2008, 01:58 PM

OHHHH!!!! I can't wait until we get some here! I love birds. Guess I better check to make sure I have everything to fill the feeders!

**Triskasue** · 05-06-2008, 02:17 PM

Mine have been back for almost a month here in New Mexico. I normally have a minimum of 8 buzzing around at one time. I have four feeders out. I, too, love it when they come. They have a heyday in my honeysuckle.

**PrairieRose** · 05-06-2008, 08:45 PM

We haven't seen any in a couple of years. What do you fill your feeders with? Do you use a commercial mix or do you make your own and add food coloring?

**Darlene** · 05-07-2008, 08:57 AM

I make my own & don't add food coloring. the feeders have some red on them & they find them easily. I use a 4:1 ratio, water to sugar.

**nancycg56** · 05-07-2008, 09:54 AM

I put my feeders out on Sunday and I think I had hummers there within the hour. They are such fun to watch!

Here's how I make my solution (I usually double or triple it):

Hummingbird Feeding Solution

2 cups

1/2 cup sugar
2 cups water

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Cool completely. DO NOT add food coloring to water!
Fill your hummingbird feeder and keep remaining feeding solution in the refrigerator up to one week.

**pinetree** · 05-07-2008, 03:00 PM

I'll have to put the feeders out, they don't usually stay here, but they do stop on their way to and from the mountains.

I would love to have them stick around, enjoy them for me too!

**sdrjeolsen** · 05-07-2008, 04:07 PM

We just noticed one last Saturday. He was buzzing around looking for the feeder. I made some food and hung it out.

**mombottoo** · 05-08-2008, 10:14 AM

A friend of ours told us he saw hummingbirds in his yard so I put out my feeders. I haven't seen any yet, but the orioles sure were happy.

**Momto2Boyz** · 05-08-2008, 10:23 AM

I have tried the feeders before and have had a few hummingbirds, but mostly we attract bees! Anyone have any tips for keeping the bees away from the feeders?

**dancar3** · 05-08-2008, 11:21 AM

We normally have about 40 hummingbirds here but then again they've been coming back here for about 10 years so they've told quite a few of their relatives and friends!

Later on in the season is when the bees are normally attracted to the feeders but only when they have some of the sugar water on the outside. As long as you pretty much keep them cleaned up, at least the ones here, will ignore them and eventually go away. For the really pesky ones, I get out my fly swatter and get them all!