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Post by Joe M on Nov 27, 2013 10:00:30 GMT -5
This high pressure system is sending the first real cold weather of the season into Central FL. Not good for your flowering plants but there is an "upside"!
Cold fronts normally push hummers further south where food sources are still plentiful. So, be on the lookout for hummers that may be looking for a friendly feeder, and a place to rest up or stay for the winter.
Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by lukerjedi on Dec 17, 2013 13:56:59 GMT -5
Hi Joe, I'm over in the Clermont, Oakland area and I have just started as a hummingbird gardener. I got a head start because my side yard is connected to a slice of conservation. This area has many natural blooming plants, but I added firespike, firebush, firecracker, salvia, and a cape honeysuckle. I have a feeder as well, but I saw a ruby-throated hummer just a couple of days ago. This bird only used the firespike and firecracker bushes. I have now seen a hummingbird 5 times since last April when I started this new hobby. They usually frequent the firespike and that is it. It doesn't seem like I am able to keep the birds for more than one day at a time. Looking forward to hearing more reports from this area.
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Post by Joe M on Dec 23, 2013 15:53:00 GMT -5
Hi Joe, I'm over in the Clermont, Oakland area and I have just started as a hummingbird gardener. I got a head start because my side yard is connected to a slice of conservation. This area has many natural blooming plants, but I added firespike, firebush, firecracker, salvia, and a cape honeysuckle. I have a feeder as well, but I saw a ruby-throated hummer just a couple of days ago. This bird only used the firespike and firecracker bushes. I have now seen a hummingbird 5 times since last April when I started this new hobby. They usually frequent the firespike and that is it. It doesn't seem like I am able to keep the birds for more than one day at a time. Looking forward to hearing more reports from this area. Just keep your feeder clean with fresh sugar solution and one of your occasional visitors will get curious and try it out. Hummers don't instinctively visit feeders but once they do they use them as a preferred source of nectar. I have noticed that if you have several hummers in the yard, they are very quick to follow the lead of another bird that is using a feeder, "monkey see, monkey do"! As an added thought, I have observed that feeders are not all created equally, and don't appeal universally to all hummers. One hummer may be attracted to one style and another hummer may be attracted to another style. Try two or three different style's and see what works. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by moboston on Dec 23, 2013 18:52:00 GMT -5
Just chiming in that Tom, who also lives in Clermont area and visits this site, often has hummers when those of us in the Lakeland area do not. Perhaps he will see this and join the conversation. I think he pretty much sees them throughout the year.
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Post by lukerjedi on Dec 24, 2013 14:25:22 GMT -5
You guys have feeling much more optimistic about it! I will get my second feeder out and see what happens. I should add that the first hummer a I've seem came to the feeders. It was prior to my planting the garden. Thx for the replies!
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