Hummingbirds - Feeding and Photos

Tips for Having Hummingbirds as Regular Visitors to Your Yard

There are many natural feeders, that draw in hummingbirds: Jewelweed, hibiscus, Rose of Sharon, bee balm, petunia, azalea, foxglove, morning glory, hollyhock, columbine, delphinium, foxglove, blazing star, daylily, coral bells, hosta, garden phlox, cardinal flower, fuchsia, and nasturtium. Native plants are best.

Also consider providing water for hummingbirds to take a bath to clean their wings. ~Bernie


When placing a feeder out for Hummingbirds: 
Start early. Have at least one nectar feeder filled and in an easily noticed
location by the last week of April – even earlier if the weather is nice.
Catch the attention of migrants.

Put at least one feeder (preferably with some bright red on it) in the

middle of your yard, in a place where it will be in sunlight for at

least some of the day. Once migrating birds notice it and are coming

regularly, you can move the feeder to a more convenient spot. You

can also expect birds to look around and notice the prettier feeder

you have hanging close to the house.

Once you’ve attracted hummingbirds, keep them coming by cleaning and refilling feeders regularly: once a week in cool weather, more frequently if it’s hot. Most times, rinsing with hot water and a bottle brush will be sufficient. If there’s a lot of dark mold, you may have to use a very weak bleach solution; in this case, rinse very well. Don’t use dish detergent.

To make hummingbird nectar, combine 4 parts water to 1 part white
sugar. Don’t use honey and don’t add food coloring. Boil the nectar 2
minutes and let cool. Store in refrigerator.
                                                                  ~Maeve

Resource links:
Hummingbirds In Your Garden (UVM)
Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to the Garden
Backyard Wildlife Habitat in Vermont

Vermont Birds and Words