When should I put my hummingbird feeders up so I don't disturb their migration.
Hummingbird Migration?
No matter what you do you will NOT change their migration. When they get the yen to migrate, they do. To say otherwise is to perpetuate an old wives tale. You can leave feeders up all year round but the only thing you will attract are ants and sometimes finches until the hummers migrate back. We have ruby throats twice a year - spring and fall - and some of them like it here and stay all year by choice. Occasionally we have others that are indiginous to the Rio Grande Valley but they will show up here - some say if the wind is blowing right. How true THAT is I don't know. Hope this helps. Put up your feeders and enjoy the hummers while they are there.
Ann
Thanks! Helpful info!
My hummers are about gone. I did see one yesterday but that was the first in 3 or 4 days. I think I'm going to put my feeders away; there's plenty for them to eat in my own yard now with flowers (I plant specifically for them) and bugs
Karen
I think I'll put mine away too. I haven't seen any lately. My pineapple sage is in bloom as well as my blue salvia which they love if they show up.
My flowers are about kaput, but I still have 3 or 4 hummers coming around my feeders. They seem like juveniles--certainly none with scarlet throats (mature males) left in our yard.
We have two that seem to be a pair and they are delighted that the old male (thug) has left and they can have the feeder to themselves without being threatened. I think they are having so much fun playing together they have forgotten they should be flying south.
I did read in an article that there is some thought that the 'stupid' and impaired HBs might be the ones who hang around too long-- the old survival of the fittest theory...
kc--what do you have blooming that they love? My HBs rarely go to my flowers (and I thought I planted especially for them!)
http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/hummingbird_late.htm
Our perennials have stopped blooming so the hummingbirds are relying on the late hot annuals that I put out. We will keep our feeders out over winter (this is the second winter that we have had feeders). There are two species that stay all year around. The Black-Chinned hummingbird who dominated the feeders all spring and summer is due to migrate to Mexico or Central America this month sometime. I am sure the other species will enjoy that. All summer long, it was like the Keystone Cops around the feeders with the Black-Chinned male hummer racing all over to keep his domination of the two feeders. The feeders are on opposite sides of the yard so it was a feat.
Thanks,
Chuck
My hummers seem to like all my flowers- nicotiana, impatiens, lantana, salvia, verbena bonariensis, nasturtium- they seem to go for most anything.
Karen
Hi Everyone, There are still hummers in the northern states like Pa. etc. I will not take down my feeders till mid October because I know there might be injured hummers that will be going through later than others. I only have one thing left blooming that they sort of like but my Trumpet Vines (which were their favorite) are all done blooming. Looking forward to next year!
k--sounds like your wintersowing was a success! I wish I had some nasturtium blooming but forgot to plant it.
Saw my two late, loyal hummers this morning, but I sense that our HB fun is winding down. Nevertheless I washed out all the feeders and refilled today, hoping for the odd wayward wanderer.
I did notice them checking out my cardinal flowers today. First time I have seen them visit them all summer, I think. And I saw a couple of them visiting thistle in the park. I wonder if I can grow thistle in the garden or is it one of those 'invasives'?
This Birdwatcher's Digest article about late summer blooms for hummers mentioned thistle too for HBs in our area.
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyard_birds/hummingbirds/late_plants.aspx
I still have a couple of hummingbirds visiting - usually later in the afternoon. I have two feeders out but am going to remove one. I have also observed them visitng the butterfly bush at the corner of the house. I have a hummingbird plant but all I have observed there is them sitting on the trellis that holds the plant. A couple of questions - is it ok to go ahead and trim back the buttefly bush - I know you are supposed to trim them - just don't know the best time of year.
My hummers really love the Pride of Barbados and the tall ruellas plus the feeder. The PofB is pretty close to being finished - probably in about 2 wks. but the ruella is doing better than ever since it finally got a little shade so the blooms stay on thru the evening. The monarchs finally found the butterfly weed even tho it is kind of hidden because I didn't plant it but kept it in a small pot it came in - have 3 cats.
Ann
Okay I'll bite; whats the Pride of Barbados?
Pride of Barbados
Closer view of blooms - Pride of Barbados
jladybug--
Why do you want to trim back your buddleia? Aren't the butterflies coming through your territory this month?
I deadhead mine every few days to keep the bloom coming on and then I trim back in late winter. Some people in our area trim back in late fall, but I recently read that it is healthier for the plant to stay intact through winter.
Wow that Pride of Barbados is Beautiful!!! Thanks for showing the photos.
Thanks unique for showing the pics. I have mine in the ground. In the fall after they are bloomed out I cut them back to size I want, the plantsgo dormant and new shoots come from the roots. They are easily grown from seed and will bloom maybe the first year but definitely the second year. They like a moist soil and fertilizer. They are known by the name of Mexican Bird of Paradise or (some type of) Poinciana. to plant the seeds you will need to soad and nick the seed.
Ann
I wish I could say that one was mine, but it actually belongs to my sister, Connie (maidentheshade). We evacuated to San Antonio last year when Rita came through Southeast Texas. A very good friend of our mother's gave us some seeds from her plant. We both planted the seeds. At first, mine were doing better than Connie's. Then I needed to move them because the tree they were under had black sooty mold. Bad mistake on my part to move them to less sun. I've recently repotted them and moved them back where they started. Connie are blooming and putting out seeds. Mine are just sitting there, but Hey, they are still alive! I get green with envy whenever I see hers. :-)
Janet
Thanks for the info on the Butterfly bush - yes I do have a lot of butterflies right now - in fact they are running my Brittany (Dog) crazy because she likes chasing them. In fact she kind of pushed my bush lopsided from running around it so much and that is one of the reasons I thought I should trim it back - but guess I will wait until further up in the season before doing it. I don't want it to get real tall - I would like it to remain full as it is right at the corner of my house.
Everyone seems to have some really unique plants - maybe someday I can get some started here.