Irene, We had our first on the 22nd this year, which is a little later than usual, but we had both male and female, which is also unusual for us. The males usually are here at least a week before the females. According to my records, they start around the 17th, but other people always report some earlier. We just have one feeder up now, hanging from a gutter on the deck overhang. Later we'll put out at least one more. They like flowers to be nearby. I think they are attracted mostly by the flowers, athough they always check out a red plastic thing that hangs on a wind chime. They are attracted to the potted verbena, azalea, and petunia that we have on the deck, and to Carolina Jasmine blooms, which is a vine that is climbing on the deck. They like trees to be nearby so they can "guard their feeder(s)." They perch on a snag, usually the same one all the time, and watch for other hummers. When they see one they dart out and chase it away. Some people can put multiple feeders up, but when we do that, the dominant male guards all he can see. I can sit on the deck and the hummers will come right to the feeder as long as I don't move abruptly. Especially the females, but the males too after they get used to seeing someone there. In Ramsey Canyon, Southeastern AZ, I saw a guy with a red hat on and a small feeder hanging from the brim in front of his face. The hummers would come up and feed right in his face. Maybe you should try that! Let us know how it works. Al Warfield ----- Original Message ----- From: "IE Ries" <FEATHERCHASER@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "AudubonList" <va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 10:00 AM Subject: [va-richmond-general] Hummers? I'm going to try to attract hummers this year (got some stuff at the end of summer and can't wait to use it now). When should I set out a feeder? Has anyone seen any yet? Thanx Irene in Southside You are subscribed to VA-Richmond-General. To unsubscribe, send email to va-richmond-general-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. To adjust other settings (vacation, digest, etc.) please visit, //www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general. You are subscribed to VA-Richmond-General. To unsubscribe, send email to va-richmond-general-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. To adjust other settings (vacation, digest, etc.) please visit, //www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general.