Hummers

we are at 61 and raining like mad. We still have lots of hummers and have to fill feeders everyday. With this rain and getting colder, would guess they will be gone soon.

That's great Edie!

Lucky you!!

It was 50-something here this morning and it's been raining and cloudy for the past couple of weeks. I was surprised to see there were still many hummers at my feeders this morning. They rushed to the feeders as soon as I went outside this morning, So of course I refilled them with fresh sugar-water.
(I hope they eat some of the mosquitoes that are so bad right now) Last year they were gone after Hurricane Ike, I think.

I was filling both of my feeders twice a day up until the rain started. That was about 8 cups per day! I'm about 80 miles north of Longview, so I thought they would have made their way further south by now.

But the Pineapple sage is in bloom, along with some other herbs that the hummers will also drink from (such as basil ~ like I see in your photo!).

Hope they stay a while longer for you. We're getting lots of much needed rain today and that always brings more hummers to our home.

Hi everyone.
We still have about a dozen or so of the hummers. I'm still refiling feeders.But it is 79 right now and the sun finally came out. I know they won't be here too much longer, but always leave the feeders out till the end of Oct or first of Nov. Just incase there is a lone hummer out there.

Hi Everyone,
Bring you up to date. On Thur. I looked out our picture window where we have 2 feeders, attacted to the windows and saw a hummer hanging up-side down. Watched for a while. I heard they do this but it was the first time I saw it. Our Temp was bout 45 at 8:30 in the AM. A bit chilly for us. I watched for quite a long time then got worried and went out to see if it was OK. Got to about half a foot with my hand and it took off. Most have been "sleeping" with one eye open. I felt better knowing it was ok. am sending a picture. :-)

Thanks edie; nice catch!

That is something. I've never seen one do that either so I'd probably be worried too! Funny.

No sign of hummers for the past two days here. It's strange to walk out to the garden and not hear them chirping!
So sad. I will miss them... till next year!

Morning.
Well we still have a few hummers..Must be the last of them coming thru. I have been told that you should take the feeders down by the End of Sept. and also to leave them up for the ones that are coming thru. Not sure what to do so keep them up ...in case the ones coming thru need a drink. :-)

Hi, I always keep one up till almost the end of November.

Well GrandmaEdie, that's exactly what I would do too. smile. I think the hummers appreciate the drink. They know what they are doing and will continue on their journey.

I saw a couple hummers the other day drinking from my Pineapple Sage that is blooming like crazy right now. It's a perfect hummer plant so I was glad to see a couple of them got to enjoy!

I took my feeders down and soaked them in bleach to clean them real good before storing them away for the winter.

Morning everyone.
Haven't seen any Hummers for 2 days. Took all feeders down except one, just in case. :-)

I'd keep the one up b/c I have a "just in case" hanging out in my yard. It's either a female Rufous or an Allens Hummer both of which are unusual for Texas. Its been here about 10 days now. I cannot get a good pic though and I can't get one of the tail fanned out to see which of the two hummers it is. Here's a bad pic.

I also had a little yellow warbler trying to drink from the hummer feeder this morning. I adapted one last year for the warblers. I guess I need to do that again, but I also want to keep one that's bee free for this unusual hummer. I might just have to get another feeder!

Elphaba,
What did you do to the feeders so the warble could drink?

In the picture above, I took off the part with the flowers which just left a dish of sugar water. Here's a pic from last year of a Pine Warbler at the same feeder only altered.

Hi Everyone,
I just put up two feeders. It's cold and rainy, but the little birds could be coming anytime and I want to be ready. It is way too cold for us, Just hope it warms up a bit.

I Elphaba,
I will try your hint and take the flowers off one feeder to see if some of the warblers that try to feed on the hummer feeders can do it..:-)

I remember that from last year Elphaba.I've seen those again on the store shelves. I think I"ll do that for the gold finch and any other takers.

Hi Everyone,
Hummers are back...Came on Thur. the 25th. Just a few, but glad to see them.
Glad I put feeders out. Just added a few more. :-))

Very good! Congratulations!

Congratulations, it's always great to hear when they're arriving!

My orioles are refusing to eat at the "oriole" feeder again this year and preferring the hummer feeders. Cute pictures!