When to put up hummingbird feeders?

   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #1  

sixdogs

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It's starting to warm up in central Ohio and after a cool few days we should bust into the 70's and boy, am I ready.
So when should we put out the hummingbird feeders? From reading earlier threads folks suggest "early" but when is early and when is too early? I don't want to miss the scouts that are supposedly out searching for habitat. Any advice appreciated.
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #2  
i would put them out as quick as the night air is not below freezing. last year we already had them here but to cold for them now.
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #3  
I agree. put them out when it is no longer going to freeze at night. Otherwise, the feeders can burst.
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #4  
Three weeks ago, we saw a couple of hummingbirds buzzing around. It was unseasonably warm and I figured they were here early. A little neighbor girl told me they also saw hummingbirds. I convinced my wife that we should put out the feeder. She put it up and we've not seen any hummers since. I think the cold snap may have sent them someplace else. Normally, by Easter we are seeing hummingbirds. I have been seeing some beautiful Eastern Bluebirds and a few red winged blackbirds. April is the month I start watching for painted buntings to show up at the feeder as well as lots of goldfinches. April and May are good bird-watching months here.
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #5  
I haven't seen the Scissor tails yet. Once they arrive, spring is here! I have seen the Bluebirds, but no red winged Blackbirds, this year. Yes, Spring is a great time to bird watch!
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #8  
Humming bird have been here steady for 4 day's, saw one a week or 2 ago. Have had allot of Finches most of the winter, of course the wren that insist on a nest somewhere on my tractor. funny thing, wren had a nest under the hood 3 years ago, I loaded the tractor and took it to a job. When I got home that little wren was all over the tractor before I could get it unloaded!!!

Blue Birds have been here for about a month, they have been steady in the BB Box for a couple of weeks.

Havent seen the painted buntings yet, but they will show when the vegetation thickens, shy pretty bird.
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #9  
How long can you go on "vacation" if you put feeders up?
Do the Hbirds become dependent on the feeder or are they just a nice thing to have?
 
   / When to put up hummingbird feeders? #10  
How long can you go on "vacation" if you put feeders up?
Do the Hbirds become dependent on the feeder or are they just a nice thing to have?

Since I make my own "nector" I try to change mine out every week to 10 days. I dont think they get "dependent" on a feeder, they eat mostly bugs from what I understand, but it is a great energy shot for them. I have also read from more learned folks, that it is a myth that a feeder will keep HB from migrating too.
 

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