Posted by Molly Plank on March 24, 2006

Q: When do I put out my hummingbird and oriole feeders for northern Indiana?

A: This is a difficult one to answer because it depends on where you live. In Florida, hummingbirds are already arriving in January but don't make it to the upper Great Lakes until May. So, for northern Indiana you're probably OK to begin watching in early May. If you have a local bird club, they'll probably have dates for you that are quite accurate. I have a Pin Cherry that blooms in my woods early May and the Orioles are always there at that time so this is how I know when they'll be back. Of course, Orioles sing so one can often hear them long before they're even seen.

I find that my sugar water goes bad (gets moldy) quickly so I don't put much in at one time and therefore must clean and refill often. If you want, put just a little in your feeder a wee bit earlier than you think is correct to be sure to have food there when they do arrive. Hummingbirds really do home-in on red so some people put red ribbons or even flowers around their feeders to encourage that first "visit". Once hummers know the food is there, if they don't leave your area for nesting elsewhere, they'll be back again and again for food.

It's really exciting to see hummingbirds come up so close and be able to watch their behavior. Since hummers live several years, once you get a bird using your feeder, they'll likely return each year and their progeny after that. Very best of luck to you with your birds.

John Wiessinger ( March 24, 2006)