I have a regular umbrella hanging over the feeder that my female uses because it its out in the open on a shepherd's hook and she has yet to slow down coming to the feeder. The feeder the male is using is hanging from the branch of a dead tree and I don't see him much at all. I use a 3 to one nectar mixture so it isn't being diluted that much but I still change the feeders twice a week right now while it is still cool.

Penny

My feeder is close enough to my patio umbrella that I could open it over the feeder. I thought about it but, I guess I thought the hummers wouldn't see the feeder that way. I am going to try it now, it's worth a shot.

My Hummingbirds LOVE the rain....The more rain and wind the more Hummers. Anybody else encounter this? It is pouring here in Rhode Island w/heavy winds right now and they are out in full force. I have counted at least 8 or 9 flying from feeder to feeder.

I have not noticed any drop in hummingbird visits during the rain. I saw my first bird this year, a male, on May 2nd, and he visited my Bleeding Hearts in the midst of a light rain shower. Interestingly, the Bleeding Hearts point downward, so I imagine their nectar does not get diluted by rain. I suppose columbines or any other downward facing blossoms would be similarly protected.

Similarly, my hummingbird feeders are also immune to the dilution effect because they are made from bottles that point somewhat downward. There's simply no way for the rain to get in.

Sometimes I get the sense that all the rain we've been having might even increase the frequency of their visits--perhaps because of the cooler temperatures, and perhaps some of their natural nectar sources get diluted. I haven't, however, noticed them coming in the middle of heavy showers, but they do seem to make a strong showing when the rain slackens.

Roxanne, I'm in RI too (Northwest part of the state), and my hummingbirds have come out in full force. I've never seen such activity before (rain and all). We used to see two hummingbirds, but yesterday and today, I'm noticing 4 or 5 - and they sure are busy. I almost get dizzy watching them fly back and forth between my two feeders.

I actually had to move my son from the kitchen table to the DR table last night to finish his homework because he was too distracted watching the birds!

I don't think the constant rain made any difference here. They weren't coming before the rain either. All I've had so far is a few quick visits. With many salvia in bloom, including B&B, and all my honeysuckle, I am at a lose to explain.

Pam, I am on the Foster/Scituate line and I have never seen so many hummers. We have always had them but this year we have way more than ever.

Ours sure are busy too. The other day my husband was standing by the sliding door(which was open)and one actually flew in the house at him and flew back out. I have 4 feeders and they are non stop from one to the other....nothing bothers them either. While we clean the pool we have to keep one eye open for hummers or else one of these days one of us is going to collide with one of them. My dogs don't even phase them, Well the females anyways...I noticed my males are a little shyer.

I am soooo excited, to have so many so early, and all my flower gardens hav'nt even bloomed yet!

We have them full force in rain as well in Massachusetts.
Ellen

Here is a link that might be useful: hummers on feeder

I got my rain guard. I have been using it for a while. It definitely seems the hummers have no problem visiting the feeder now. I did open my patio umbrella over the feeder for a temporary fix. It helped too, although I think the hummingbirds were just arriving still. Which accounted for me not seeing them often. It seemed as though I had a few visit the feeder just in passing. I now have one male hogging my the feeder. I've seen him chase away others at the feeder. He seems to be very shy of me and my family being outside. I would love to get a good picture of him, but I can't even be standing outside, when he's there, or he flies off! I did get a close up look, at a less timid female. I was standing about a foot away from the feeder at eye level. Very Cool! I found a rain guard that I fell in love with, it looks like an umbrella and it's red to help attract the hummers. I'll put a link to an online resource, I found. Look under hummingbird feeder accessories. It was hard to find the red one. It's made by PAR*A*SOL. If you check out their website they have a lot of good looking hummingbird feeders and great accessories to boot! Some girls accessorize their wardrobe, I prefer to accessorize my garden LOL.

Here is a link that might be useful: PARASOL Red Rain Guard