Oakland Estates Neighborhood Association

get those feeders out ! the lil guys depend on us!

Thank you I-MAN. I've had my feeders out since late February. Did you know that some Hummers don't migrate to the south like most do. I recieve emails from The National Association of Humming Bird Watchers. They recomend that we in mid to south Texas keep at least one small feeder out through the winter months for the birds that do not migrate. I have three feeders going now and by the mid-summer I'll have at the most 5 in my back yard. Last year thay came in flocks and they are fun to watch. There is one that visits a small bird house that my wife put up for decoration. He has a Black head, with a bright yellow neck, and a green body.  Since living here I have planted several Humming Bird bushes and Butterfly bushes in my yard . planting red and colorful flowering plants will give the Hummers and other creatures a variety if food sources to choose from. I thank you again for sharing your intrests in our comunity and remember not to feed the fish.

Laird make sure [you are probably aware of...}, that you use feeders that do not attrack bee's. last summer, [my first in the "hood"] I was amazed at the cluster of bees on my feeder. One day I found a dead hummer at the base of the tree where the feeder was hung.

 I have scince bought a "best Feeder" and don't think I'll have that happen again ! They are a joy to have around.

L-man out :)~

Thank you I-MAN, I'll look for some. The nectar if made too sweet will attract the bees, and those little bee's are the Hummers worst enemy. I try not to make the nectar too sweet and I try to refresh the feeders with fresh nectar at least once a week as suggested by the feeder manufacturer. I have found some really fancy, high priced feeders on line that claim to deter the bees, but after seeing one in a friends yard full of bees I won't get one. Last year I put a light coat ofdish soap around the base of the feeders to deter the bees and it seemed to work until I changed the nectar. The smell of the lemon scentedsoap is something the bees don't care for. Have a great time in your fine back yard and try one of those bee attractors out past the fence in the green belt.