While I was out like everybody else yesterday trying to cover , move and protect plants I happened to see my first hummingbird of the year. I stood perfectly still while it flitted from one weed in my yard to the other. I really need to get this what I call a weed , but is probably some sort of wild flower identified.
It drank from the weed patch and then helped itself to some Columbines that all in bloom. I don't have feeders up here because I usually have plenty of plants and flowers all in bloom through the season for them to feed on, but I am wonderign with this darn cold frost snap freeze if I shouldn't put a couple of them up.
I know while I was coverign plants up I was hoping that this hummer would find a nice warm place to hide for the night. Anybody happen to know what is the coldest temp that the hummers bodies can take?
First humingbird of the season
Yay! It's always a nice surprise when you see the first one, isn't it. I'm still waiting up here, though the tracking map shows they've been up here for a couple of weeks. I have alot in bloom plus 2 feeders, but no little hummers spotted yet. I remain hopeful. :)
Deb
i would put one up just in case as it is cold. my little guy is strickly going to the feeder right now due to it being cold. i have things blooming but havent seen him on any of them since the cold come in.
Starlight - Depending on what species of hummer, some like the Rufos can take pretty cold temps. Ruby-throat prefer warmer temps.
I would definitely put one feeder up! They are there in your area, so they would probably use a feeder in your yard. :-) Everyone has mentioned the Perky Pet feeders as a good brand to buy.
Thanks for the great info. I wil go to day to get a feeder . The coldest Easter in 20 years here. no warm temps again til next thursday and just when I had finally climbe d out of all my sweaters. Got two back on now . brrrrrr
Where do I buy that Perkey Pet feeder at. Can I get it at Walmart? Since I am putting up a couple of feeders is it better to put them in the sun or shade?
I have a 6ft chain link fenc e up arund and one section I just never have gotten the last bit of fence put up. I had thought about hanging it from there. it in full sun and not too far from my Daylily patch and the blue flowerign weed patch. Would that work and also is it better make your own food or buy the stuff from the store?
Well, probably most feeders would be fine, so whatever you find at Wal-mart might work. I would leave it in full sun. The sugar water will freeze if it gets too cold, so you may want to bring the feeder in at night and then put it out each morning.
I would make my own nectar water. But use a higher concentration of sugar. Like 4 parts water to 2 parts sugar. The higher the sugar content, the more body fat it helps them to produce to keep warm. Just a suggestion. :-) Good luck!
So lucky! Still waiting anxiously in my area!
Starlight I do hope you don't get those freezing temps. tonight. Our low is supposed to be 33. I know just where Seale is. I have gone through there so many times when I went to Columbus, Ga.
Good luck finding feeders at Wal-Mart. They just keep flying off the shelves in our area. I have seven hanging now with others I keep as replacements when I need to clean the ones that have been hanging.
My hus. saw one late yesterday evening, but have not seen it today. We have had the feeder out for about a wk. Hope it got a good drink before night time and hope it made it thru the night. It was down in mid-20's last night and expected to be in mid-teens tonight. You can just guess what that has done to all of my plants and trees that were in bloom or budding out. Most of my plants have been destroyed. My gardening soul is weeping. LIZ
From yesterday afternoon.
I have one or maybe 2 Ruby Throats. They seem to like the plastic window feeders with red on the bottom (maybe because they feel safe or can see it better. Of course I love it because I can see them too. I also have lots of Red Buckeye in my woods which they seem to like and azaleas ,,and lots of other flowers later on..
Love these pictures,,, now if it will just warm up again..
Elaine
I sure want it to warm up too.