|
|
Post by Steve Backes on May 14, 2009 10:29:29 GMT -5
Welcome to floridahummingbirds.net's Florida Hummingbirds Forum.
We hope to provide a valuable resource to individuals with all levels of knowledge regarding Florida's hummingbird populations.
To those with limited knowledge who are new to attracting or watching hummingbirds, please read the previous posts to learn as much as you can. Ask any questions that you may have that have not yet been answered. As participation increases with this forum, I suspect answers will come quicker and from more individuals. For now, be patient and I'm sure all questions will eventually be responded to. Use the forum search to look for specific topics like locations.
To those with more experience, we hope you will help with the building of the report data by reporting sightings of hummingbirds as well as answering some of the posted questions. I'm hoping for some regional "experts" who can offer advice regarding questions that require local knowledge as to which plants grow best in those locations or what time of year does your location typically see hummingbirds. I'm blessed with a terrific "neighborhood" that attracts many wintering hummingbirds but I can't really speak confidently about neighboring areas with different habitats.
When posting a sighting report, please include as accurate of a location as possible. Consider the terms one would use to search for your report. I suggest placing county in the Subject or adding to a topic that is already from that county. Include closest city and/or park. I've also received request specifically if hummingbirds are typically found on barrier islands so habitat may be a potential keyword searched.
We're not requiring that you register with the forum, at this point, in order to post a message but we do encourage everyone to become a registered member. You have the option when setting up your profile to hide most of the information that they request of you during that process.
Added 1/22/2013
We've recently noticed an increase in new members who are registering and including non-hummingbird related links to their signatures. This is viewed as improper advertising and is unacceptable. Members with these links in their signature or who include them in their posts will be banned on the first offense. If you feel a potentially questionable link should be acceptable, please message me before posting it so there will be no misunderstandings. Banned members may contact me for reinstatement if an error has been made.
Remember that it's your reports and posts to this forum that will make it a success.
Thank you for your participation,
Steve Backes
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Jun 16, 2009 13:21:01 GMT -5
It's been a little over a month since I began this site. I was hoping for more usage by now but I also realize that summer is not the season when I typically get many requests for information.
I was hoping to get more breeding reports by now but it may take a while to reach those with hummingbirds. Membership continues to grow slowly. As the membership increases, so should the number of posts. As both of those increase, I suspect it will be easier to get others to post. The more posts, the more reason to check back regularly.
I've talked about reaching those hummingbird hosts that we haven't heard from before so that we can get an accurate count of the birds in the state. That will take time as I have no direct link to them. I have to hope my sites can get placed high enough on search engines that they will find me and/or that word of mouth can create a network that will eventually reach them.
I appreciate all of you who have signed up so far and helped to get this started. Also, to those who have posted but not yet registered. And, to those who have at least stopped by to take a look. All of you help to create and active community which will help in attracting more members.
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Aug 29, 2009 16:10:14 GMT -5
Hi Linda,
If you see them only in the spring and fall, then you're seeing migrants. Not all areas will be able to attract summer or wintering birds. I can say that without landscaping and/or feeders, you probably won't attract any resident birds. Landscaping and hanging feeders (before you see them) is the first step to attracting a bird that stays.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by nannie on Sept 17, 2009 18:39:26 GMT -5
Just saying hello! was looking on the web to find out more about which kind of hummer was in my yard and found your site!! I'm really happy! My beginners questions, which I haven't yet seen answered elsewhere are, can I skip the red dye in the sugar water liquid? You don't mention it, so I'm assuming it's ok to leave it out. And how do you ban a hummer? Don't worry , I"M not planning on attempting it, but you've mentioned it a few times in different posts, so it spiked my curiosity. Could you write a little more about it, or tell me where to look?
And,,, regarding trying to get a picture,,, can you give us some advice? Can one use a "regular" digital camera, or do you need special equipment with zoom lenses etc. ? the flash doesn't scare them away?
thanks
Nannie
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Sept 18, 2009 17:28:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Gardendipity on Mar 6, 2010 18:33:30 GMT -5
Hi Steve! Thank you very much for this great web site. I met you last weekend at the Library, during the Master Gardener Hummingbird presentation. I enjoyed it so much and really learned a lot. Thank you again for all the time you put in to help all the rest of us.
We built our house about 10 years ago, and from the beginning we landscaped it with almost entirely hummingbird and butterfly plants. It took us a couple of years before we actually spotted a hummingbird. We didn't have any feeders up, and it is possible that the hummers had been coming to our yard and we just didn't know it. We saw our first hummingbird about 8 years ago, and we have managed to draw at least one each year since then.
I am getting ready to put in new plantings in the "territory" style that you have suggested. We currently have at least two hummers, and possibly more. We would like to draw them year round if we can.
Thank you again, I am looking forward to being part of your online hummingbird community!
|
|
|
|
Post by traceyi on Jun 20, 2010 20:17:02 GMT -5
Was trying to find info on Florida hummers and found your site. New to hummingbirds. I was looking to grow some black eyed susans and the seed packet suggested to plant with blue salvia. Next thing I knew I was seeing butterflies and hummingbirds visiting the blue salvia blooms. (I have a 5 gallon planter of blue salvia. No other hummingbird attracting flowers in my yard.) I immediately put out a feeder hanging over the salvia. I believe I have had at least 3 different birds visit. 2 are visiting daily and the 3rd one seemed to just be passing through. Don't know enough yet to know what kind they were. I would say the activity started very late May/early June. Thanks for the site. Alot of good info in your FAQs. I'm in Jacksonville - Duval County - Northeast Fl.
|
|
|
|
Post by virginiaann on Aug 21, 2010 13:36:28 GMT -5
Hi Steve,
This is a wonderful site. Thanks so much for starting it. I'm in Levy County and have had returning hummingbirds for several years now. They're back again this year. They seem to arrive around April and leave sometime in late summer... maybe around September. They really love my feeder right outside my front window, but the trumpet vine out in the back yard is also a big draw. I've definitely seen the ruby throated male, but are there other types here in Florida ? I've seen quite a few without the ruby throat but they have an iridescent green tail. Is this the female of the ruby throat?
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Aug 22, 2010 10:38:20 GMT -5
virginiaann,
I would have to guess that you're seeing female or young Ruby-throateds. Only the adult males have the solid red gorget. Rufous Hummingbirds are just begining to arrive here and other species are a month or two away.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by janisk717 on Oct 6, 2010 7:48:32 GMT -5
I live in Sarasota county less than a mile from Sarasota Bay. About 2 years ago I planted a Hummingbird bush in my backyard. I was excited to see my first hummer this past spring, thinking at first it was a large moth. Not sure what it is though. It's got a white neck but not a red head as in Ruby-throated. And the back is an emerald green. I have also seen two at once but one was chased away by the other. He seems to like sitting in my Crepe Myrtle trees not too far from the bush. Can't seem to get him to eat out of the feeder though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Oct 7, 2010 11:20:08 GMT -5
janisk717,
It sounds like you're describing a female or young Ruby-throated Hummingbird. They lack the red throat of the adult male. We do have a number of different sphinx moths that look like hummingbirds but none of them have an emerald green back.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by farritail on Nov 17, 2010 10:15:32 GMT -5
Hello, Dania Beach here, and am I glad I found this site! My home is just a couple of miles south east of Ft. Lauderdale airport and a mile east of the Atlantic. I've been trying to attract Hummers for several seasons and this year I will stay with it I guess through March by hanging and maintaining several feeders located throughout the back yard. I curently have one feeder hanging above a Fire Spike bush in full bloom. For the color effect, I have a large red glazed ceramic bird bath and my yard is lined with an 8 foot tall red Ixora hedge. My neighbor's yard is lined in a 7 foot tall red Hibiscus hedge, so... there is a lot of red in the yard. Flamigo Gardens in Davie, which is approximately 13 miles west has already had Hummer sightings starting last month, but I have not heard of any sightings as far east as I am. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, and boy do I appreciate this site. Thanks!! Farritail aka Kim.
|
|
|
|
Post by hallcn3 on Feb 9, 2011 21:59:30 GMT -5
It seems like they like red flowers the most. Is there anothercolor that attracts thr hummingbird?
|
|
|
|
Post by arkvilla on Mar 5, 2011 8:54:02 GMT -5
Hi,
I am Sandra and I live in the UK, we don't get hummingbirds here but we have a vacation home in Florida which we are visiting in March ( 2 weeks today) and then again in August.
It would be an absolute dream of mine to see a hummingbird and I thank Steve for this site which I am now going to read through.
Someone has said that Hontoon Landing, in DeLand, would be a good place for us to visit in March so we are thinking of doing that - does anyone know about this place and do you agree it would be worth us going?
With many thanks everyone
Sandra
|
|
|
|
Post by gmwelcome on Apr 24, 2011 13:23:32 GMT -5
Hi. New to the site. Moved here 6 years from Savannah Georgia where the hummingbirds were everywhere. Haven't seen any here in Cape Coral but really miss them. Doing research to make a flower bed for them and put up my feeder. Any tips on which plants to attract them. Thanks.
|
|
lynne
New Member
Posts: 38
|
Post by lynne on Apr 25, 2011 12:19:52 GMT -5
My cape honeysuckle and the orchid tree works wonders for me. While they bloomed the hummers never touched the feeders.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gardendipity on Apr 25, 2011 21:06:03 GMT -5
Welcome! We had three hummers in our yard from December through April, and have had hummers for about five years now. Here's what they like best in our yard: Porterweed, fire cracker, fire bush. We let some of our fire cracker plants grow to about 15 feet tall, and the hummers love them. Our other fire crackers are kept just a few feet tall. All of these are common plants available at any garden center. Hope this helps!
|
|
|
|
Post by whhumer on Jul 9, 2011 14:00:59 GMT -5
Thank You. I have enjoyed hummingbirds for years in NY and recently on vacation in Georgia. Just purchased a feeder and some flowering plants here in Winter Haven. Started reading posts from members in the area, Lakeland and Auburndale have already been helpful. Thanks again.
Glenn
|
|
|
|
Post by lmcc4088 on Sept 2, 2011 13:47:08 GMT -5
Hi, everyone, I've been enjoying hummingbirds for a few years, but never joined any clubs or forums other that on one site last spring, I reported my first sighting, but didn't join, just a guest.
Anyway, I was lucky this year, first ruby throat showed on Feb. 28, '11, had a great year, had at least 10 birds all year.And, almost have names for them, and they seem to know me. I have 5 feeders hanging on the eaves of my screend porch. Daily, just at dawn, the start to show up, when I speak to them, they come to the screen, as if to see me, or say good morning. They feed til dusk, daily.I have two dominate males that control the others, young males and females.Of course, they like music, so I never turn the radio off, I've noticed that when the radio isn't playing they aren't as active, so the music is part of the attraction.
It's Sept.2, '11, only have two females left, the rest have flown. Probably part of their attraction here are my flowers, many roses, and plumbagos.And, I change the feeders weekly, just a 1 to 4 sugar and water mix, no color added.
Well, thats it for now, have a great day, Larry McCullough.
by the way, I live in Okahumpka, Fl. zip 34762, about 35 miles noth of Orlando, Fl.
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Sept 25, 2011 17:59:58 GMT -5
We've recently had issues with people signing up for this forum for the sole purpose of posting ads for various services that have nothing to do with Florida or hummingbirds. It's a nuisance and links may not be legitimate. We are deleting these posts and banning the members as soon as they are discovered. If you see one of these posts, don't click on any links.
If this continues, we may need to change the way we do things. If necessary, all members will need to be approved by an admin and only members will be able to post.
Steve Backes
admin
|
|
|
|
Post by rostuart on Nov 3, 2011 18:53:57 GMT -5
We are new to Florida and now live in Port St. Lucie. Have seen more than one hummingbird for an extended time in an oak tree this morning and then again this afternoon. found your group through Google, hoping to learn more about Florida hummingbirds. The oak tree has a section that seems to be struggling, leaves are yellowing and falling off, the thin foliage making it easy to see the birds. They seem to be feeding on something in the tree.
Rob Stuart
|
|
|
|
Post by kittkatt on Jan 2, 2012 20:23:38 GMT -5
Hi,
I could not believe my eyes this morning when I saw a hummingbird in my neighbors bottle bush tree. I did not think they came this far south.(Miami)I bought a hummingbird feeder to put in my yard. I am hoping to see more tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Jan 2, 2012 23:05:32 GMT -5
noname, Your chances of seeing a hummingbird are best anytime between fall and spring. Ruby-throated and Rufous are the most likely species that you'll see but others are possible. A list of the species that have been reported in Florida can be found here: floridahummingbirds.net/10201.html |
|
|
|
Post by noname on Jan 3, 2012 19:24:02 GMT -5
noname, Your chances of seeing a hummingbird are best anytime between fall and spring. Ruby-throated and Rufous are the most likely species that you'll see but others are possible. A list of the species that have been reported in Florida can be found here: floridahummingbirds.net/10201.htmlThanks Steve. Love your site!! |
|
|
|
Post by Mary Turner on Jan 14, 2012 14:23:23 GMT -5
Hello, We just moved to Largo Florida from Middletown Ohio. I am a hummingbird watcher that planted a small garden for hummingbirds and butterflies. What I wanted to know is; Can I plant a butterfly bush in this area, and are there hummingbirds that stay in the Florida  area and how do I get started again attracting these lovely birds Do I need to join this forum? |
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Jan 15, 2012 8:07:52 GMT -5
Mary, Rather than starting from scratch and with little detail a few answers to your question. Lots of info on the web under the search topic 'Hummingbirds. You needn't join (but why not)? Most butterfly plants work for hummers but not all! Lots of discussion about hummer friendly plantings on this and other sites but be aware that plants that do well in Ohio will probably not do well here in FL. Start with these two sites to get some fairly useful info! www.hummingbirdresearch.net/p1.htmlwww.hummingbirdsplus.org/MissionHistory.htmlJoe M. Lakeland |
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Jan 15, 2012 8:21:59 GMT -5
Joining the forum will make it easier to follow your posts. Your profile will keep a record of posts. Clicking on those links is quicker and easier than searching the forum for a previous post. It will also allow you to edit or delete your posts.
|
|
maryt
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by maryt on Jan 15, 2012 8:34:32 GMT -5
We just moved here from Ohio and was wondering if there are many hummingbirds around here. We had several feeders and a small butterfly & hummingbird garden which attracted several birds and butterflies. Need information on how to attract those lovely little birds at our new house, what should I plant to attract them. Any information would be helpful... Newbie transplant |
|
|
|
Post by karrieoverbay on Feb 5, 2012 11:18:04 GMT -5
Hi my name is Karrie & I live in Santa Rosa Co. in the Panhandle. Has anyone seen hummers here yet? I'm going to put up feeders today because I remember seeing some data last yr that showed people in this area seeing hummers as early as Feb 15. We had quite a few last spring & summer, not sure what kinds. Any tips on providing nesting sites?
|
|
|
|
Post by moboston on Feb 5, 2012 15:38:00 GMT -5
I know that the hummingbord bander study froup has been banding in the Pandhandle-Mobile area since last fall and are seeing numerous species and lots of Rufous. You should start having them during migration earlier than we do in Central Florida and that could be as early as Sept for us, so yes put up your feeders!
|
|
area and how do I get started again attracting these lovely birds
