Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

I make my own sugar, and have all kinds of plants they love, but not many blooming right now, except one black salvia. Photo was yesterday and I just grabbed a camera and didn't have time to change any settings. The trials and tribulations of photography.

Quick shot of hummer

(Download)

Roger k Loc: Gulf coast of Texas

If you have the space and some sunshine, plant some things the humming birds will like. Find out what tubular flowers grow well in your area and plant them near your feeder. They will appreciate it.

Shiatsu Loc: Fort Collins

Definitely put out water for hummingbirds. They seem to like the spray/misting type so they can fly through it.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Saw our first ones in Chicago area this Monday. Feeders, running water, and real flowers help.

WAL

I have seen a few at my feeder in Rockingham County in souther NH

Royalruler Loc: Rancho Cucamonga

I make my own, last evening at last light I saw at least 24 at my feeder, but we are in California.

canoneer

I live in white hall md north of you and I have seen several hummers at my feeder. Be patient.

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

The red dye is very bad for them just sugar and water and yes 1 to 4 ratio. Boil the water let it cool and then add to the feeder.

zincgt Loc: Tucson AZ

I cheat, as there are 35-40 feeders in my complex here, and the competition is very great for the birds time. There are a lot of them, but to get the feeding time I do use the red food coloring, as it is harmless. I also use 1/3 cup sugar to 1 cup water for a higher content mix.

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

Check the Cornell univ web site you should be able to find where th red dye is bad

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

I will make my own & check it out. Many thanks, Allan

Latsok Loc: Recently moved to Washington State.

Lucky you for being able to water your roses!!! We in California are not supposed to do that anymore this year due to jerry brown's anti drought edicts. Seriously -- it is awful dry.

zincgt Loc: Tucson AZ

Please do further research from the actual Hummingbird site: quote: I just got a hummingbird feeder, and may make my own food to put in it. If i do four part water and one part sugar (I found that from this website:http://www.wbu.com/education/hummingbirds.html) will it harm the bird if I put red food coloring in it?

Red food colouring is used because the colour helps to attract hummingbirds (like brightly coloured flowers). There is no evidence that food colourings harm hummers but if you want to be sure why not make the feeder red instead of putting colouring into the sugar solution? This has been shown to work just as well. Been doing this for the last 11 years, and according to the hundreds of birds that have visited made nests in my trees and raised numerous off spring, food coloring is the absolute last thing to worry about. What YOU should be worrying about is checking the remaining food that has been in the feeder longer than two weeks. The sugar contents will begin to ferment leaving the whole feeder with a vinegar smell. THIS is very dangerous for them, as they will keep coming back to a bad feeder and testing the food.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

They just arrived here in St. Louis the last couple of days.

Shiatsu Loc: Fort Collins

Good information here but I'd like to add that the feeder should be cleaned out every few days rather than 2 weeks. This is true especially if the feeder is in the sun most of the day. Also, if putting red coloring in the nectar is important to you, you can purchase pre-made hummingbird nectar which is safe. I've used both plain and colored. Also there is a mixture that is high in calcium that should be put out while the birds are nesting and raising their young in order to give the new generation a healthier start in life. Good luck.