Secrets for a Successful Hummingbird Season

 
 They're the smallest birds but some of the fastest flyers. And they'll soon be buzzing around your place searching for that certain source of nectar.
    Yes, the hummingbirds are headed our way. With a little preparation now, you can enjoy them all summer and even into early fall.

In 2006, we saw our first hummer in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 26, but typically, they arrive about three weeks prior to Mother's Day. Put your feeders out a few weeks before that to ensure catching their attention when they first arrive.
    The key to a successful hummingbird season is early preparation. A quality feeder , a constant supply of nectar and a garden mister will keep the hummers around all season.
    Feeders are generally available in two designs. One is the inverted bottle that drains into either a reservoir or tiny tube. The other is a dish similar to a saucer with a cover that contains feeding ports. Each type has its advantages. The bottle, for example, holds more nectar and is available in a variety of designs ranging from functional to decorative. The saucer, on the other hand, is easier to clean. Both work equally well, though, and are available online or in our store, with the least expensive beginning for just under $10. (Click here to see our online selection.)
    Once you've chosen a feeder, you'll want to find a suitable location to hang it. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red and most feeders have some coloring on them. No matter where you hang your feeder, they will likely find it. So, consider where you spend the most time, either in or outside your home. Then, hang your feeder within view. That way, you'll never miss the action. If you have a feeder that tends to drip, placing it in a shady location will help.
    To keep them coming around, keep your feeder clean and supplied with nectar. A weekly cleaning using hot water, a brush and perhaps a few drops of household bleach (rinsed well) will do the job. Later, when temperatures soar, the feeder should be cleaned two or three times a week.
    As for nectar, consider making an ample supply when you have a free moment. Fill you feeder then keep the rest in the refrigerator. That way you'll always have plenty on hand.
    Hummingbirds, like many birds, love a good bath. They prefer to zip in and around fine mists of water, which creates plenty of entertainment. You can set up a mister for them by simply attaching one to your birdbath and connecting a waterline to an outdoor water source. Misters complete with everything needed for setup are available in our store for around $40.
    As an added bonus for your hummers, you may want to include some of their favorite plants in your yard. They'll usually go to anything that produces a flower with a tubular shape. For starters, try penstemon, columbine or a trumpet vine.
    Try these tips and you'll have nature's smallest avian wonders as summerlong guests.

To see our full line of Quality Bird Watching Gifts for Attracting, Nesting and Feeding Wild Birds including: Bird Feeders, Birdhouses, Hummingbird Feeders, and Bird Baths, and Unique Home and Garden Decor such as Wind Chimes, Mylar Windsocks, Garden Gnomes and more, go to www.BackyardBirdsandGardens.com

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