Humming birds and ponds

15 years ago

I moved into my home a little over a year ago and the gardens were desolate. after a year of working on them I have a small pond and a variety of plants growing around my house. the last few weeks I have noticed a small humming bird (always the same one) coming to visit my pond. He has a read throat and an emerald green back. I call him verde. He is very friendly. I have no placed a feeder up (I am busy and don't want to forget to fill it) he will hover about 3-6 inches above the water and look in on the fish. He has almost landed on me from time to time and watches me while I move this or that in and around the pond. I need to know if this is normal behavior, if he can do any harm to the delicate balance of my pond (poop or otherwise). Will he begin to be territorial over my pond and start running me off? He seems very calm and friendly but I don't know much if any thing about hummers besides they are fun to watch.

Comments (6)

lionsfan
15 years ago
I bet it is feeding on tiny insects around your pond. I cannot believe he would affect your pond in any negative way. If you want to help him out plant some Cardinal flower which is a very attractive bog plant!
mbuckmaster
15 years ago
It sounds like you have a great friend! He won't do anything to the pond; he's probably just enjoying the water (especially if you have a fountain or waterfall of any sort). I second lions' suggestion of Cardinal flower (lobelia), which is a great plant for hummers and a neat bog plant. Check out the link below to 'Golden Torch', which is on my wish list (and almost anyone's who sees it, I think!).

Happy hummering!

Here is a link that might be useful: 'Golden Torch' Lobelia
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mindysuewho
14 years ago
We were never able to attract hummingbirds until we put in a pond. I agree with the cardinal flower suggestion. We planted it a couple of years ago and the hummingbirds do love it. It came up two years in a row but I don't see it this year. I think our cold winter did it in. I'll definitely be getting more.
penny1947
14 years ago
Hummers are curious by nature. He is probably as curious about you as you are about him. Since you don't want to hang a feeder then the suggestion of adding cardinal flower is a very good one however it doesn't bloom until late summer. If you have room I would add some salvias for all season blooms

Penny
rob_a
14 years ago
I agree with lionsfan. I have a small lake close by, and when the wind is calm, there are clouds of small flying insects hovering over the water. The insects there are the perfect size for hummers.
The barn swallows here feast on them, and I suspect hummers do as well.
I'm envious of your pond. I aways wanted one. Good luck with your hummers.
laurmela
14 years ago
It is probably an Anna's Hummer. They are regulars in CA. They are very curious and will get real close. I think they like to remind me to fill me feeders!

Enjoy! and good work with the garden, you should post some pics!

Laura