For those of you who cannot be dedicated to the frequent feeding solution changes should provide flowers which will be a safer alternative. The average spring arrival date for Kingston is May 9, and fall departure usually underway in August with most gone by September 21. 1 Figure 1. Male Ruby-throats arrive ahead of females in the spring and establish territories around nectar rich flowers. Incubation of 2 eggs lasts about 16 days, and the nestling period is from 14 to 31 days.
Hummingbirds require narrower gardens than butterflies in order to access flowers on either side.
Curving flower beds and clusters of trees and shrubs are better suited to the needs of hummingbirds so they can approach the blooms from all sides. The garden should not be crowded with large trees and shrubs. Create a variety of levels with tall trees, medium-height trees, shrubs, flowers and low grassy areas. These different areas will give your hummingbirds choices of where to feed and perch. 3 Male hummingbirds prefer to have one large tree to use as a strategic lookout post.