FTC Disclosure:  If you make a purchase via a link on this site, We may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!

Jim & Ruth White — 45+ years of hands-on hummingbird feeding, care, and observation

The story behind The Hummingbird Guide (and how we help you get more hummingbirds—safely)

Welcome

If you’ve ever put out a feeder and thought, “Am I doing this right?” you’re in the right place.

Most hummingbird problems are surprisingly fixable: nectar that spoils too fast, feeders that are hard to clean, ants and bees taking over, poor feeder placement, or confusion about when to hang feeders (and when to take them down).

We built The Hummingbird Guide to help hummingbird lovers solve those common issues with simple, proven routines—so hummingbirds can visit safely and consistently.

Who we help

We help hummingbird enthusiasts of all kinds, from first-time feeder owners to longtime backyard regulars—especially people who already have hummingbirds visiting and want to care for them well.

What you’ll find here

Our guides are built for real life: clear steps, seasonal reminders, and practical troubleshooting.

Here are the topics we focus on most:

  • Feeder setup + placement (so hummingbirds find you—and keep coming back)
  • Cleaning and maintenance (the routines that prevent most feeder issues)
  • Safe nectar basics (simple recipes and what to avoid)
  • Migration timing + maps (when to hang feeders, what to expect in your area)
  • Flowers and garden planning (adding natural food sources and better habitat)
  • Species ID (recognizing who’s visiting)
  • Common problems like ants, bees, and wasps—and how to handle them

Why trust our guidance

We’re not writing from theory—we’re writing from years of watching what actually works in a real yard, through real seasons.

  • We’ve been attracting and caring for hummingbirds for 45+ years.
  • We’re based in Vermont, where spring arrives late, weather shifts fast, and timing matters—so we’ve learned to pay close attention to seasonal patterns and feeder routines.
  • We keep 14 feeders spread across our property and have learned (sometimes the hard way) what leads to healthy, repeat visits.
  • We share a mix of hands-on observation, research, and practical fixes that are easy to apply.

Our goal is to make hummingbird care feel doable—not complicated.

Our story (the short version)

We met in college, bonded over nature and the outdoors, and built a life together that kept pulling us outside—gardening, hiking, camping, and learning the rhythms of the seasons.

We eventually made our home in Vermont, and living here taught us to respect the seasons—especially when it comes to hummingbird timing.

At some point along the way, we hung a hummingbird feeder… and got hooked.

The more we watched hummingbirds up close, the more questions we had. Their speed, behavior, and migration are fascinating—but what really grabbed us was how quickly small changes (cleaning habits, feeder placement, timing) could change what we saw in our yard.

Later, when life threw some hard curveballs and we needed a new direction, we decided to build something that combined what we loved with something genuinely useful: a resource for people who want to enjoy hummingbirds and care for them responsibly.

That’s how The Hummingbird Guide began—and over the years it’s grown into a community of hummingbird lovers who share sightings, stories, photos, and questions.

Start Here (most popular, most useful)

If you’re new to the site—or you’re coming back with a specific question—start with one of these:

Optional (also popular):

Stay in touch (and get seasonal reminders)

If you’d like a simple way to keep up with new articles, seasonal timing, migration updates, and practical hummingbird-care tips, subscribe to our free newsletter:

Join the “Hummer” Newsletter → (free)

Thanks for visiting,

Jim & Ruth