Hummingbirds 2010 Feeding

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Amazing! I am so pleased to see the hummingbirds back in full force. Since we are experiencing the hummers in numbers greater than ever before, I wanted to ask other MyLotters if they are seeing more this year than last and if so, What area are you in? I am in BC, Canada. The throats of these birds are truly magnificent, from neon pink to dark red, even orange. It is fun to watch them, entertaining the spectators constantly. Currently we have two feeders up. (We are going to get two more for the other side of the house) One with pink flowers and one with red flowers. Both feeders are active with the hummingbirds, from daylight to dark, everyday. Although I read in one discussion that the feeders were needing to be refilled daily, we have not that many. We replenish both feeders once a week. There are two particular hummingbirds that are a hoot to watch. One will be at one feeder and the other at the next. The one at the far feeder will come to what seems to chase the other hummingbird off the other feeder but that bird picks up and takes off before the other hummer reaches him. Cute. I wonder why they chase each other.. I read a similar discussion that helped to answer: Why do humming birds fight over the feeder http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2080794.aspx It is said that it is the males fighting but allow the females. How many hummingbirds are you seeing this year and are you feeding them as well? Proper Proportion of Water and Sugar is 1:4 It is not recommended to use honey as honey attracts mold far too easily and is extremely toxic to the humming birds. Use only a Granulated Sugar. I add the sugar and water, bring to a boil and then cool before filling the feeders. Never Use A Brown Sugar. Unprocessed cane sugar is okay for humans but said to be very bad for hummingbirds due to the high levels of Iron! Use only granulated sugar and tap water, boiled. Filtered water will be more susceptible to growth of bacteria. There is a powdered feed mixture for hummingbirds, available from stores but I have read that it is not recommended. Never Use A Dye Colored Feed or use dye in your hummingbird feeders either. The hummers do not need their feed to be red in order to attract them. Just yesterday I seen a seed food formulated for hummingbirds. Has anyone fed the hummingbirds a feed mixture of seeds and such and if so, How do you put it out for them? We have a bird house that is actually like a loft so many birds, small ones to the size of the blue jays can enjoy the feed but I am not sure if the hummingbirds are frequenting it. I don't think so. I only see the hummers at the water/sugar feeders. Clean the Feeders at least once a week and replenish so to avoid any mold build up. I use a 1/2 cup of vinegar per feeder and a pipe cleaner type bottle cleaner, thoroughly cleaning the feeders, before rinsing out with hot water a few times. I smell the feeder afterward to assure there are not reminiscence of vinegar left. Do not use Soap to clean your feeders. The hummers don't like soap and is extremely hard to rinse out. Straight vinegar does the trick. Birds with Magnificent Memory I have read that the birds will return year after year to the same feeders as they are able to recall where they were when they were there the year before. Therefore if you are feeding the birds with a feeder, it is important to put the feeders out where you hung them the year before. Safety for the birds to to not place the feeder too close to a window because the reflection can confuse them, sometimes causing accidents that can lead to premature death.