An informal poll about Ruby-throat Hummingbirds

I have this theory that I don't get many hummingbirds because I live "in town". I have lots of hope this is not true!

So if you get Ruby-throats regularly through the summer, please describe for us your location.

Rural — you live out of town, no other housing very near
Almost Rural — you live in a developed area in a rural setting. Maybe you have woods in back of your house, or you live on a lake, etc.
Suburban/Town — you live in a town or suburb where you have neighbors next to you
City — you live in a big city

Hey Mrs_ed, there's hope for you, same kind of location as you, Suburban/town with a few trees on the lot.

Suburban/town only a few but here every year, I have about 2 acres with many large mature tree's.

This message was edited Jun 22, 2009 9:06 PM

Well...I guess I am almost rural...woods around with lake nearby

yes, Nanny, THAT ONE I knew! ;-)

LOL...then why didn't you already have it down then!! ;0)

hee. I wanted to show off!

hee...you bad!!

Now...on with the poll please.

My location is rural even though I have neighbors. We are surrounded by hayfields and lots of wooded areas, rivers and streams. Mrs. Ed and Nanny...LOL!

HI I would say I am almosty rural. I have the dowtown area of the city of Nashua nh very close by. It is under a 10 minute drive. However the Merrimack River that divides Nashua from me is only a 2 min ride. I have a decent amount of woods in the area, however the houses in my neighborhood are all on under an acre lots Some with half their lots still wooded while others are pretty much clear. So I am definitely in the middle.

I'd say almost rural for me Mrs_Ed.

I live on a farm so I'm in a rural setting.
MIL lives 4 miles away in Sun City, she and all of her neighbors hang out feeders. Lots of well fed hummers in Sun City. LOL!
Hope this helps.
WIB,
SW

I live in a large development with lots homes.

I'm hoping now that the Trumpetvines,Monardas and other things are starting to bloom that the hummer activity will pick up.

so, that's a suburban for you? And you get them all summer, right?

I live in a small village, population maybe 120. I have neighbours to the sides and across the road, but fields and woods behind me.
They adore my Honeysuckle.

Normally yes.

I get quite a few every year. During peak season, there is at least one at any given time. Usually 2 or 3 at a time throughout the day.

I am Suburban/Town. I live in a very populated area in the middle of a well developed housing area. Surrounded by houses in every direction.

I have lots of flowers - bee balm, honeysuckle, hummingbird vine, etc.

Wrong continent for hummers here, regardless of level of urbanisation :-((

Resin

No hummers??? Wow...that's almost grounds to move...

I am almost rural and usually have 10+, though this year I only have 2 and my neighbor that has been feeding for years too, has only a couple of small males. I think I am going to believe the theory about hurricane Ike causing them to not return in the normal numbers.

Almost Rural- only two houses close to me. Fields, creeks, and woods all around. River withing a few miles

Hummer population is way down right now. Could be because of the 100+ temps!

Crazy, I'm going to say you're rural then…

Half an acre in the suburbs, only one neighbor next to me, one across the street. And a cute and quaint candle store on the corner. Lots o trees, flowers, and hummer feeders also. I get about 5-8 hummers each spring/summer with most action in August.

Well so far looks like there is hope for me!

The annual salvias are blooming and soon the new perennial agastaches will bloom. I've got my fingers crossed!

Have not seen one here since May 18.

Wow! I've had two visit daily, every 20 minutes or so to my Honeysuckle. I think they have a nest in the Mock Orange but I'm chicken to go look. One your blooms kick in they'll come back!

I've never had summer hummers. Only a couple in the spring and then a good migration in the fall for 5-6 weeks. I'm on a mission to change that. Yes, I have tons of plants and a couple feeders.

Meanwhile, I go to my Mom's in the country and get buzzed by them. Then I go to a friends northwest of town here and get buzzed. They're fighting over feeders, but let me tell you, I have two that go untouched!!!

That's just strange! Do your neighbours feed them do you know? Maybe they're just filling up somewhere else...

We are very rural and always have hummingbirds. I would think it was opposite - that 'in town' means more flowers and more feeders to lure them. I usually buy some red annual salvia as soon as they are available in the spring as a 'lure.' Then I have to bring them in many nights before our last frost! That's for "newbies" -- we do have hummers that have come back. We know because we are so isolated. One year a hummer appeared before I had the feeders out. He went RIGHT to the spot on the front porch where one hangs and hovered there fretfully. I panicked and was afraid he'd leave before I could get the feeder out!! He hung around though. :)

Have you painted your roof red yet? Maybe when they migrate through in the spring you need something to lure them to your place. A red umbrella might be better - the neighbors won't be calling the loony wagon for you...
My plantings are red/white/blue-purple and they start blooming in the early-early spring so that any bird flying by can see something yummy down here and come investigate. My hosta's are blooming just outside my office window and I have not had a single hummer for the last week... I guess I am just having a bad year and that they just haven't found your house yet.

almost rural, Mrs_Ed. I have two hummers for about 2 weeks now. that is my norm. one male ,one female. my bee balm is getting ready to bloom and my black and blue salvia and new red one i found is almost in full bloom ...those were the favs last year. sometimes i have had up to 4 hummers but that is usually later in august so my guess is the babies come to the feeders too then. all your new flowers will help.

surburban/town. But a small town. I see a few in the early morning and late evening. If it gets real cloudy they come anytime. My sister who lives in the country has a lot all summer.

LOL Juney! I AM looking into getting a big red tablecloth. An idea I think I saw here on DG. Been looking for one of those old fashioned metal lawn chairs too, that I could paint red.

in the spring I put out the feeders with red ribbons. I also have red tulips. I bought some of the red salvia splendens right away too. I got a couple passing through. After I put in the new flower bed at the beginning of may, I put in the other annual salvias. I spied one female visiting it and then the feeder. That was the last one on May 18. For the past two years I have only had a couple spring visitors. then nothing until the fall migration in late august.

I have read that it may take as long as 5 years to attract regulars. Each year I add more stuff. I have WAY more items than either of those rural locations I mentioned before.

As for feeding, I have seen two other feeders on this block, but I really don't know if they are attended or not. One is across the street and one is down and across the alley, maybe 4 or 5 houses.

I keep trying. Clearly from our "poll", it is not an issue of living in town.

Juney...DO NOT give her any ideas...she just might do it. She is on a mission to fix this situation!! LOL

I know! I shouldn't have even mentioned it! LOL Now she might get the idea to paint the town red!



I wonder if my neighbor's red truck has helped the hummers find my yard....hmm.......

Actually, there's a few houses here with bright red tin roofs...quite attractive really...

Darn, I missed my opportunity last year when we had the roof done. WELL, I could always do what Rose does and put a big neon arrow on the rooftop.

ROFLOL!!!

Of course, I'm really tied up with the Ruby-Throat pajama project right now, so the roof project might have to wait.

Ruby throat pajama project? Is that those jammies with feet in them?

Hi!

I always thought we were rural, but according to your 'definition', we're Almost Rural.

Marilyn