New Regional Category

[Steve Backes]

I've added a Regional Category with Boards for Panhandle, North, Central, and South Florida discussions. I've also included a Board for Polk County. Additional "Regions" can be defined as needed.

These boards are for discussions that will benefit from regional participation like "when or where can I find birds in a specific location?" or "what plants will grow in my yard?". Local events like plant sales, Audubon meetings, or "field trips" would be another use of these boards. I'm a good source for answers to these questions if it's regarding the Tampa area but not for other areas. Local questions are best answered by someone from that area.

I encourage everyone to check your region's board routinely and answer other member's questions whenever possible. This regional format should make it easier and quicker for newcomers to the forum to find information that relates to their needs.

[dsillyp]

Sorry for posting here, but I'm new and couldn't figure out where to ask the question. I'm here on Ft. Myers Beach and would love to hang a feeder but I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do. Coming from PA, I've been hanging them and enjoying the Ruby's' for years and would love to do the same here. Do you think it would be okay to hang it on a tree on the beach or would I be attracting the wrong kind of animal? Thanks much.

[Joe M]

You may be disappointed since I an not sure that we have many reports of Hummers in the FT. Myers area during the summer months. You are more likely to attract them in your area in the winter months (overwintering hummers). Hummers in the central to south Fl area are pretty scarce in the summer. I rarely see more than one or two during the summer but have regulars (5-12) in the winter months. Unfortunately our population and prevalence of Hummers is very different than PA. On the plus side during the winters you may very well see some western hummers that rarely visit the eastern part of the US.
Keep the faith and have the feeders out Sept. to Feb. to ensure a better chance of hosting them!
Joe M.
Lakeland

[sunnydee]

I was surprised and excited to see a female ruby throat today 6/13/2013 in my firebush tree around 2:30pm. I live in West Palm Bch in southeast Fl. I have at least 5 hummers in the fall and winter every year and this year also had a male Rufous that stayed from Feb until April. I have never seen a hummingbird down here in the summer months. Is it possible that they would nest here? Going to put out a Nectar feeder tomorrow in hopes that my favorite little bird will stay around and hopefully be joined by some friends I have firebush, firespike red and purple, orange trumpet vine, red hibiscus and native as wel as nectar and larval plants that attracts many butterflies too.Very happy to find this site to share info and learn more. Thanks.

[Carol]

Dsillyp, For a really excellent source of info ,including a gift shop with books and extensive butterfly and hummingbird garden in the Ft Myers area, I recommend you visit Manatee Park. Located just East of I 75 on Palm Beach Blvd (HWY 80)

The park is a treasure trove of native plantings representing several Florida natural plant communities and habitats, easy walking trails for viewing , kayaking, all in a small park setting.

Volunteers , including Florida Native Plant Society members, Audobon members etc, and park Rangers are dedicated to Lee Counties natural resources, friendly and helpful. The Park often host tours , lectures and native plant sales where a larger variety of natives are available than one can normally have access to.

You also have a wonderful native plant nursery in Ft Myers, All Native Garden Center and Plant Nursery, the owner works in conjunction with Gulf Coast University , and you will be able to find natives adapted to your (often harsh) Beach/Dune community, that can withstand high wind, salt and even occasional salt water intrusion.