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Hummingbird Garden

I am moving - what to do now?

17 years ago

What shall I be doing now to transition? I will be leaving in 3 weeks to a month. All winter I used a stronger solution, yesterday I went back to putting 1/4 c. of sugar in the measuring cup and bringing the (filtered) water level up to 1 cup and then heating it to turn it into syrup.

There have been a couple of little females and a number of flashy, aggressive males around my 2 feeders. I want to do the right thing, the house is not on the market and may stand empty for a while before it is sold so of course, there will be no one here to replenish and clean the feeders.

Feeling guilty - what's the best thing to do in this circumstance for the little ones?

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Comments (7)

birding_nut
17 years ago
I would say gradually start limiting the feeders down to one, then refilling it less and less to show the hummers that the food source is dwindling and perhaps encourage them to move on to other areas. Do you have any flower plantings around your home the hummers can use in it's place?

BN
babesy
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes, you're right. But when they see us out there, here they come! I have to harden my heart, I guess. But I will do that.

2 cape honeysuckles over at one side of the yard by the pool, but those are sun-sensitive and will be dried up mid-summer, with our blistering heat - which is coming already.

Then, near the feeders, there are some red oleanders. I have never seen them feed there - oleanders are poisonous, I understand. Would their nectar be poisonous to the hummers?
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birding_nut
17 years ago
Nectar is never poisonous. It is designed to attract pollinators so that the plants can reproduce.

I wouldn't feel guilty about leaving. Hummers, like all birds, are resourceful. They will move on and find new areas of food. After all, their natural nectar sources are constantly in a state of flux as flowers dry up and stop blooming and new ones start in different areas.

BN
babesy
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, duh. Of course you are right. I hadn't thought of the oleanders quite like that.

I am going to an area S. of Dallas/Fort Worth airport, and we have a woods, and a creek. I am so hoping for hummers, too.

Thanks for your help!!!!
cindra
17 years ago
Not to worry babesy! I used to live in the area you are moving to and you will have lots of hummers!! In fact, I've lived in a lot of different places in Texas and always had hummers. Take your feeders with you and put them out asap, it won't take long.
christie_sw_mo
17 years ago
Is there a neighbor you can give your hummingbird feeder to when you leave?
babesy
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, that's a good thought, Christie. I will ask around, tho' most folks are sooooo busy. But there is one neighbor I can ask.

Thanks for that thought.

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