Hey Duckboots! I saw my first 'hummer' on Friday. Can't tell you how excited I was! It really is validating to a gardener like me to see that your planting is attracting more than just gophers and pillbugs (hahaha)!

I found a great website with all kinds of info on bird feeding, Birdwatcher's Digest, that I highly recommend. Here's what they have to say about hummingbirds in particular:

Hummingbird Feeding Tips

Don't use hummingbird feeders that are difficult to clean, or have many small parts.

Do wash your hummingbird feeders thoroughly with hot, soapy water, and rinse completely, every time you refill them.

Don't allow molds or yeasts to grow in your hummingbird feeders. When these appear, empty and scrub feeders immediately.

When making hummingbird nectar, blend water and white table sugar in a 4 to 1 ratio (4 parts water to 1 part sugar). Add the sugar to boiling water. Bring the mixture to a boil again while stirring to dissolve the sugar, then let cool.

Don't use insecticides, such as wasp killers, anywhere near bird feeders, especially hummingbird feeders.

Don't use anything but white, granulated table sugar. No powdered or brown sugar, honey, molasses, red-food coloring, artificial sweeteners or nutrients should be used.

I added the emphasis to the last paragraph about food coloring because I saw a few folks recommending that to you. I've asked some of the 'birders' in my wildscape gardening association about this, and they adamantly say 'NO' to adding anything to the sugar/water mixture.

So, there ya go, there's my two cubes on the subject. Happy Hummer Season to ya'll!!

All the best, Áine