Congrats!

I had a couple of them last month. They were loving the firebush, red salvia and purple porterweed. The firebush was the out and out favorite. Hung around for about a month - haven't seen them in a couple weeks.

Terri

Dang! Why can't I get them here? I'm happy for you but sad for me...having these daily Morning Glories and no hummers just confirms that this area just won't attract them for some reason. Do they have predators? They ospreys maybe? Not enough wooded area?

Tom

We have them here all spring and summer. I wonder why unless there are a lot of natives here that they like. (Hernando County). I haven't noticed one for a couple of weeks, though, maybe they have all headed south to you guys. We start seeing them around here in March. I don't put out feeders, (wasps, bees, ants are a problem) we have a lot of plants that they prefer. Mainly Coral Honeysuckle, Bottlebrush, Salvia, Coral Vine, Mexican Petunia, Texas Sage, Morning Glories, Lantana. When the Agapanthas were blooming they went to those, but I can't keep those healthy, I don't know what I'm doing wrong with those, and I adore them.

My sister's in Lecanto and has them in the spring and summer too, she has feeders and is good about keeping them clean....
I'm right off a bayou to Tampa Bay in a residential area that really isn't wooded other than mangrove swamps, I think that must be the key.

For the last couple weeks we have been watching two hummers, a Ruby-throated and an Allen's, fight over our firebush. I also put up a small hummer feeder by the firebush and they will stop at that. This is the first year we have seen the Allen's hummer. What a wonderful noise he makes with his wings. I'll be sad to see them go South.

Sass - Where are you in Lakeland? I live here too and seeing an Allen's is very rare. I don't know if you know Joe M who lives in Christina but he had one a couple winters ago. Our area usually gets hummers starting around now as migrants and then those that come in Jan. or so stay through till about April. A few of us here in Lakeland have had banders come and band and id the birds as part of a 10 year study to see where they migrate to in the summer. If you are interested, please let me know and I can get in touch with one of them. Rufous are similiar to Allens, and friend and I both had one last winter. Please contact me through GW. I also posted about recording sightings through Audubon.

I am not doubting your id of your bird, just really excited cause I know it is unsual for them to be here. I know it is something that should be documented. Congrats on your hummers!

The hummers put me thru the annual firedrill....I get my one or two passer-bys. Then, I run around putting out feeders in a mad dash to keep then around (which they never use...). And, then, they are gone by the end of the week.

Tom: the main thing that seems to attract them in my yard is the Cape Honeysuckle which I keep quite high (20ft), which is their other preference. I think they feel safer not having to feed close to the ground.

I think they pass thru my area following the coastline (just a guess?). I bet you do get them, but have just not realized it's a hummingbird. It's easy to mistake them for a large dragonfly until they slow down and you can see it's a hummingbird.

Don't know if you all know about Journey North but they plot the migration of Rubys in the spring and fall. Well yesterday's posting told of a mass exit from around Kentucy when a cold spell came through on Friday. So maybe we should expect to see more coming our way. They were expecting huge numbers for the Hummingbird Festival in Rockport, TX this weekend. Guess they have one migration route that goes through that area.

I am beginning to think there are more in our area of Central Florida than I ever thought there were. Still amazed that the line between those who have them summer/fall and those of us that have them winter/spring is so close to where I live. Doesn't seem like the weather is that much different but must be something that causes them to stay in one part or the other.

Congrats to all who are seeing these beauties!

saintpfla, what time of day do you see them ? are you near downtown or over toward the Beaches ? I had one this last Mar. but none since, to my eye... I went out and bought some Hummer-plants in hopes, so am wondering what time I need to be watching more ? thanx, sally

We've had a few hummers visit our feeder the past week or so in DeLand. I'm pretty sure all were Ruby Throated and more females than males. Never more than one at a time and the most we've seen in one single day was three. We've seen them at all hours -- morning, noon and evening but more often near noon.

A couple days ago I was on the side yard trimming around my fire bush and I had one buzz me, literally felt it's wings next to my ear then caught a fleeting glimpse of it as it flew off.
I keep hoping to all out spot one feeding

mboston - The Allen's hummer could very well be a female Rufus but the coloring seems all wrong. This hummer is reddish brown or bronze(almost seems red when the sun hits it) with a white band around the neck and is smaller than an adult Ruby. I did a 'Bing' Fl Hummingbird images search and came up with what I thought it was. Any suggestions you have would be most welcome. BTW, I live in North Lakeland near the mall. Sass

Sass - I emailed you through your member's page. Please let me know if you get it. I didn't want to take over Saintpfla's posting.