I've had my feeders out for over a week and refreshed my nectar Saturday morning. I have a routine I replace the first two, put them out and then do the other two. While I was finishing the last 2, I looked up and a male was already feeding at one I'd just changed. Amazing to me how they know when there is new nectar, but they do! Smell? That's some sense of smell! Anyway, saw another Saturday afternoon and about 4 yesterday. Most seem to be passing through and still migrating north but I thought one yesterday returned again, so hoping to have a "regular" stick around. I was also looking for a flowering plant that would also attract hummers, and bought Fuchsia at Home Depot, which says it attracts hummers. Bought them on a whim and put them out Sunday, but now in reading, sounds like might be a challenge to keep in my area due to heat. I also saw another goldfinch at my finch feeder Saturday, so hoping I'll get them coming back.
Hooky, I put my fountain back out too. I was really happy with how it handled winter storage and it looks good and fired right up. I'm using a plug in pump though, not solar. Anyway, I had a dove land on it and drink from it Saturday, so I'm hopeful that with having it out the entire season, it will attract birds and hummers! The last bird news is I always like attracting bluebirds. I saw them scouting my box earlier this year a couple times, but some Chikadees beat them to the punch. Not what I wanted, but I like them too. Pretty happy with how my bird efforts look at this point.
PS, I also switched my regular bird feed to safflower to discourage squirrels and starlings. I've been told the seed pod is too hard for them to eat, and it's worked. No squirrels or starlings, but the finches, cardinals, doves, chikadees, etc... all like it (essentially all the birds I like). I've even seen bluebirds eating it at my sisters house, although I've yet to see that on my feeder.
