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Post by kastern on Jan 30, 2007 10:01:53 GMT -8
Checked back in my records....last year the 1st hummer seen was a female on March 22nd, (usually the males arrive back first with the females a week or so later); In 2005 the first one seen was on March 11th and in 2004, March 18. Haven't checked back further but I do know they seem to be arriving back a little earlier each year (with the possible exception of last year). I usually put my hummingbird feeder out the 1st of March.
Kathy
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Post by fouram on Jan 30, 2007 12:34:03 GMT -8
Thanks, Gord--Kathy. I knew the males show up slightly sooner than the females, and Thanks for the great records, Kathy--I will likely--depending on the weather (also I am sheltered here--between apts) put out a feeder close to the first of March. Interesting note on the Anna's Gord. If there were any of the flowering bushes in the area, I may have been tempted to try a feeder much earlier. Upon research I found the UBC Botanical website and found a variety of bush that seems to attract the Anna's to stay in selected areas around the North Shore/Greater Vancouver area in spots. Of course I forget the name of the bush, however it is a fall/winter flowering shrub!---Al
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Post by fouram on Mar 11, 2007 4:15:21 GMT -8
Just got back to town. Has anyone spotted any Hummers yet? I assume the weather has been a challenge for us as well as any migratory movement to manifest itself? Hope to hear from any of the members/guests if they have spotted anything new?---Al
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Post by Dave on Mar 11, 2007 22:08:12 GMT -8
Hi Al, Hummingbird Feeder is filled and up, but no visitors yet....should be soon I will for sure let everyone know if there is a visitor. Dave
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Post by tammy on Mar 13, 2007 7:56:09 GMT -8
I haven't any hummingbirds yet, but the House Finches have found the feeder. We don't get many hummingbirds in the section of New Westminster I live in. You have to have a lot of plants. I have coral bells which seems to attract 1 or 2. But the finches suck my feeder dry. Now if only it would stop raining so my coral bells would dry up and start to bloom.
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Post by Gord on Mar 13, 2007 8:56:22 GMT -8
Hi Tammy and welcome! You'll probably see a hummer before we do, so let us know so we can expect them! I had finches too at my hummer feeder. They would even yank the bee guards out to get at the food better! Clever little guys. In the later summer when their little ones left the nest they'd teach them the trick as well and there would be a whole swarm of them on the feeder getting all hyper.
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Post by fouram on Mar 15, 2007 17:17:02 GMT -8
Got the feeder up to-day, we shall see if I can get any takers! Tammy, I got a feeder from Jason that, while the finches CAN feed at it, I think it is too much work for them (so far) I don't mind--last season, at least something was able to make use of it, even if they were the finches ;D ;D ;D---Al
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Post by fouram on Mar 27, 2007 9:17:56 GMT -8
Returned home late yesterday afternoon, my Hummer feeder has not been touched (I think) --So, fresh concoction out for them to-day, see if I can get anyone interested in stopping for a sip or two?---Al
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Post by tuchp on Mar 31, 2007 12:36:06 GMT -8
hello Al,
I think you need some flowers!! Initial attraction - so they find the feeder. As Tammy stated, coral bells is a fav. of hummers - a pot of those under the feeder may help - or red salvia, later in the season. Right now, not much is in bloom - however, I have heard of people using a pot of artificial flowers - apparently this does work. ( I have not tried it myself) One more interesting tidbit, about perches - the hummingbirds love to perch on my clothesline - not while feeding, just for a little rest or to preen - a simple wire clothes hanger, if made available, works very well for this purpose. Not too attractive, but effective, is to hang a banana peel near the feeder. It will attract fruitflys - which hummers love as well. Hopefully, some 'apartment friendly' tips for you. Cheers, Pat
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Post by fouram on Mar 31, 2007 13:57:48 GMT -8
Interesting notes, Pat. Thank you for that. While I have not seen fruitflys yet, I have had, by my patio door, Lacewings!-seems as if they may have been in the area of the runners, and hatched with the warmth of the apartment. I plan on getting a few flowering plants, and if I have to get an outsized planter to house them--no problem this year, as I am on the ground floor. Once again--thanks for the tips, please keep them coming---sooner or later, I will have done something to the Hummers satisfaction ---Al
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Post by fouram on Apr 1, 2007 12:28:48 GMT -8
Went out, got some Coral Bells, Bee Balm (heard that was good), large planter so they have plenty of room to expand (if that is what they do--spread?) so it is a wait for a bit of warmer weather, as well as a good start at growing-- and see if they are enough of an attractant ;D ;D ;D ---Al
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Post by tuchp on Apr 1, 2007 15:07:32 GMT -8
Excellent choices Al. Both are great for attracting hummers - expect the bee balm to fill the planter once it gets going! Good Luck! - Pat
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Post by fouram on Apr 1, 2007 15:52:52 GMT -8
Thanks, Pat. About all I can do for now, hope the plants prove an attractant here. Will (hopefully) keep everyone posted with positive results---Al
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Post by fouram on Apr 18, 2007 16:13:17 GMT -8
Finally! Just got home from shopping, opened the patio door approx. 6 inches, sat at the computer, heard a "familiar buzz" looked out saw my FIRST Hummer of the season, sipping fresh nectar from the feeder, ;D ;D ;D reached for the camera, ---spooked him --about 5 minutes later--"instant replay* --but it was here!!!--Hooray!!--now that I have the camera, hope to get the same variety that I had last year, so I can post and have help in identification---Al
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Post by fouram on May 11, 2007 16:01:26 GMT -8
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