Saw my first hummingbird today!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

I put up the feeder on the weekend and saw ONE hummer today! :) woo hoooooo!!! I like Sandi's idea for planting some red petunias, so I'll do that this week.

Now, I boiled the water and sugar to get rid of possible bacteria. How long should I leave this first batch of nectar outside before replacing it? The feeder holds about 4 cups of nectar.

[Donna]

Congrats Stacey---

I leave mine quite a while.........

Did you add a little red food coloring or is your feeder red?

Donna

[sandilyn]

Yay Stacey!!! I put mine up today too and one came right away- but they have been coming to mine for about 5 years now. (In fact, sometimes that is my reminder to put the feeders up- I see them hovering around, looking for the feeders!) Soon you will have several coming! I usually change the liquid every week.

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Congrats Stacey---

I leave mine quite a while.........

Did you add a little red food coloring or is your feeder red?

Donna
My feeder is red. The instructions I got for the nectar recipe said to not add red food coloring. I don't know why not though.

[Sandersmr]

You don't need anymore red than what is on the feeder - too much red may actually turn the hummers off. And how long you leave you nectar in the feeder depends on temperature and the presence of ants or other insects. Here in TX, you really need to change the nectar out every couple of days. The bacteria that can form is deadly to hummers.

[Amy Eileen]

I have never seen one in person before!