Hummingbirds have lost the love :(

10 years ago

Last year we bought a glass feeder, and i home made the nectar- they LOVED it, I could sit for hours all summer and fall + watch them feed ( and fight lol) Then we had to move temporarily due to a leak, I tried to keep up with the nectar but it did dry up. We were gone WAY longer than anticipated. So it was like 5 months that it was empty. I finally loved back in + ( cleaned out ) the feeder + replenished. Now they are NOT COMING. Could it be the SAME hummers that were here all winter and remember it was empty?? They remember? I am so sad. I moved it 6 feet away, but nothing. I am SO sad. any suggestions? i am amazed they remember that i had neglected it!! :( ....

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

10 years ago

Where are you generally? At least where I am there aren't many hummingbirds here yet so folks are just starting to put out feeders, and no one I know who has them has seen a hummer yet. And if they are in your area now, just keep the feeder filled with fresh solution, and they will eventually find it. If you have some tubular bright flowers such as fuscia or Black and Blue salvia, they may also be attracted to them.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

lisasuel
Original Author
10 years ago
i am in Califorina- def seen them in my yard perching inches away from my feeder :/
Related Professionals
Wichita Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Newport News Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Gary Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Portsmouth Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Hempstead Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Great Bend Landscape Contractors · Clarksdale Landscape Contractors · Columbus Landscape Contractors · Williamsburg Landscape Contractors · Elgin Landscape Contractors · Rockford Landscape Contractors · Vancouver Landscape Contractors · Sarnia Landscape Contractors · Santa Rosa Architects & Building Designers · Montréal Architects & Building Designers
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
10 years ago
I would recommend you put some plants that they find irresistible nearby and patiently wait for them to return. In your zone, there are so many options.

The hummingbirds in my area don't really care for the feeder as much as the plants.
lisasuel thanked popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
mehitabel zone 6
10 years ago
The books say they do remember. However, I'm sure you can lure them back. If they're inches away from your feeder, they'll come back. I would change the type of feeder.
lisasuel thanked mehitabel zone 6
lisasuel
Original Author
10 years ago
yes, i am going to buy a new feeder... thank you!!!
purslanegarden
10 years ago
It's the same with other birds. I would swear that I see the same cardinal couple coming to feed on the suet or bird seed. But if I forget for a few days, they are gone! So I do believe that hummingbirds would have this same remembrance also, and in particular, they would remember it across several months since they need the ready sources of food for their livelihood and migration patterns.