Scouse

One of the things which amazed me last year in BC were the humming birds. I never associated these amazing little creatures with Canada, but I have been following their migration patterns with interest ever since.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

Have they visited you yet?

Any 'secrets', [apart from red feeders], for attracting these tiny birds?

hot wasabi peas

When I lived in Victoria there were a few resident Anna's hummingbirds in my neighbourhood and many Rufus(?) hummingbirds throughout the warmer months. When I lived there I planted a lot of Bee Balm, Salvia, day lillies and other stuff I can't remember the names of in my garden and I suspect many other people in the neighbourhood did as well. The local garden shop had sections "plants to attract bees or beneficial insects or hummingbirds or butterflies or bats or whatever" and I just bought a variety of stuff. I have noticed the hummingbirds seems particularily attracted to the Bee Balm and the Salvia (that's why I know their names!).

Amazing little birdies aren't they? Thanks for that link.

iaink

I just love them, mesmerising. I was like a big kid when I first noticed them in the garden. We dont do anything special to attract them, just hang the feeders. Its still a bit too soon in ontario...usually June/July on.

Dont but the special food, just a 1 part sugar 4 part water solution is OK. The whole feeder doesnt need to be red, but Keep everything really clean, and you can use the same solution to attract orioles..the bird, not the cookie.

Linda P

How wonderful, anyone know if I am likely to see any in Edmonton!
We had a pair of blue Jays in the garden when we first arrived, they were beautiful! I would love to see the little Hummingbird.

Scouse

I'm not an expert, but I don't think you are likely to see any of these amazing little birds.

http://home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/h...ol.html#bottom

Perhaps somebody with more local knowledge could help!!

Crispie

You know they are in Nova Scotia aswell.
We viewed a house that had the Humming Birds as a selling point.

Scouse

Yes, I know. They really are amazing little birds.

They average about 20 miles per day, but can cross the Gulf of Mexico [approx 500 miles?? ] without stopping!!

I have just totally fallen for these little things!!

I am a volunteer at a wild-bird rescue centre, which deals with eveything from Owls to Eagles to Blue-tits [when it's really cold!!], but hummingbirds really get me excited!!

Sad, or what!!

Crispie

Will ask your advice on how to induce them to our garden feeder...
when we get a house, a garden, a feeder...... a pr permit....

hot wasabi peas

I've seen Ruby-throat hummingbirds near Edmonton (in Vegreville near the Ukrainian heritage village where there were a lot of wild flowers in bloom), so I suspect if you can attract them, you'll see them.

Edit: if you look at the first map Scouse provided a linked to: http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html you can see that they will eventually get there and it looks like you could follow their progress. Cool eh?

"Thanks to the 3,429 people who reported their first hummers of 2004!" LOL!

Corky

Well we should see some hummers this weekend as it is the time for them to arrive. Actually I think the first sighting last year was end of April but last weekends weather would have put them all off. The are very territorial and it great fun to watch them argue over the feeder...I keep telling them there is room for 4 but do they listen.....no!

Scouse

Yes, apparently several sightings have already been reported, Corky, so the weekend looks good!

Feisty little beasties, aren't they!!