Claire is correct - it's the timing. Excerpt from hummingbirds.net "Where did my hummers go? You watched the migration maps and hung your feeder in time to attract the first migrants. You kept the feeder clean and the syrup fresh, and were rewarded by lots of visits from migrants, then the activity settled down to regular appearances by the resident birds. Pretty cool hobby, eh? Then, perhaps in early May (depending on your latitude)... NO MORE HUMMERS! Where'd they all go? This didn't happen last year! Or did it? Welcome to the nesting season, folks. I'll discuss Ruby-throats in particular, but similar principles probably apply to most other species. Shortly after arriving, the females establish a nesting territory. Ruby-throats prefer secluded wetlands for nesting, if available, and proximity to your feeder is not an issue; in fact, females don't like to build nests in a male's feeding territory, and your feeder is probably part of one. Visits to distant feeders take too much time away from the eggs. When the chicks hatch, they need protein to grow, not sugar, so their mother spends most of her time catching small insects and spiders for them. During this period, I personally still see a male or two at my feeders, but typically only early or late in the day. I suspect that once their breeding duties are over, males tend to abandon territories and forage more widely to fatten up for migration. After the chicks fledge (leave the nest), expect the number of hummers at your feeder to be double what it was before the "disappearance." As summer progresses, there will be fewer natural hummingbird food sources available in many parts of the continent; feeders can have a real positive impact on the number of birds that survive, especially in the dry Midwestern U.S., so please keep them clean and fresh. And keep notes on your tiny visitors, if you like, so you can verify for yourself that this is a normal, annual process." I checked my photo library and all of my backyard hummers were photographed in July, August, and Sept. Been a long spring. Thank you, Claire. Kindly, Jane Here is a link that might be useful: hummingbirds.net

I don't think you're going to have a lot of luck with eastern white pines in the Wellfleet area. They are highly intolerant of salty air and soil. That's why as you're driving through Plymouth heading toward the Cape, you see them abruptly disappear from the scenery. By the time you reach Rte 6, scrubby oaks and Pitch Pines dominate the scenery. By the time, you reach the outer Cape, you only see Pitch pines because they are one of the few trees that can tolerate such a saline environment not to mention the high winds of the area. Their toughness is laudable even if they are the ugliest member of the pine family. If you are determined to plant some evergreens in that area, I would plant an Eastern Red Cedar. They grow fast and are branched low and thick. I see them quite often in extreme situations along coastal areas so they are probably your best best. They should be readily available. If you have to go with pines, stay away from all five-needled pines. Some pines like eastern white pine grow their needles in bundles of five. All members of this group are salt-sensitive. I would recommend Bosnian pines if you can find them. I've seen them for sale at Morrison's in Plymouth. You might also try Austrian Pines. You may even try some of the native Pitch pines. They will be a bit thicker than what you are used to seeing while they are young and especially if you give them some fertilizer. It's possible you could use some deciduous trees for your screen although the lack of them in the Wellfleet area doesn't bode well for their long-term success. Another problem is that a lot of deciduous trees that tolerate salt are invasive. Having said that, a large thick shrubby-like tree like Amur maple or Autumn Olive might work in your situation. Some of the more standard trees like Green and White Ash and Sycamore maple are very good at tolerating salty environments but they may not handle the winds out your way. You might consider a crabapple. They are tough as nails and provide the extra bonus of being an ornamental. Isn't there a garden center right on Rte. 6 as you enter Wellfleet? You can probably get an idea of what may be tolerated in your area from the types of trees they sale. As I recall, there is also another nursery on Rte. 6, just outside of Truro or maybe in Truro. You could also get some advice on your situation from either nursery.

After having been absent for so long (trips to The Netherlands and New Zealand) I came home a few weeks ago to my gardens that I had expanded (ref. post Balance in the Garden) but had not planted let alone mulched to a world of weeds I never imagined could move in so quickly (worse than second cousins on welfare). I have spent the last few weeks spreading 15 yards of mulch hoping that would slow things down but I am not so sure...any way POLLY HILL yes we need to do a trip. She is probably best known for her azalea introductions, my yucca's are in bloom now, deep pink, light pink, white, and the occasional half white half pink blossom the size of a standard petunia blossom. Magnolia's are another plant that her name is often associated with. We also have some amazing nurseries and of course a slightly different flora. I would love to host a weekend this summer and or possibly one in early fall. The first detail to work on is housing I have room to sleep eight to ten (five dormitory style in a garage apartment and two guest rooms with double beds as well as a room with one single). Rentals although I am sure are still available are very $$$ but if enough people share perhaps that's an option. Prior to making arrangements I suppose I should ask is any one interested?? Katy

3pinktrees-thanks so much! Im actually in the Northeast-Upstate NY to be exact...in a very country area! ILoveRed-thank you, I’m glad you got to see it! I had no idea this thread even still existed :). It’s amazing, as it took me 5 years to build and I’ve been in it for 5 years (and I am still not finished) so this thread was started about 1 year into it! shwshw- thank you as well-my goal was to build a simple, small, cottage like home :) Did you see the rainbow in the one pic? :)