I'm counting down the days til I remove the hummingbird feeders for the season. I have read in several places how there are species who remain in the state year long ...
But I simply don't think the traffic is worthwhile because they likely populate locations remote from my urban sprawl.
So the way I typically handle it is ten days without a bird sighting and I was and put away the hummingbird feeders. It would certainly be my pleasure to keep them going if I did not fear it would be to no avail.
All summer it's been an colorless 25% cane sugar solution and the birds have hit both feeders hard.
I replaced the large 32 oz Perky Pet My Best feeders with a pair of 16 oz Dr JB feeders after looking them over for about a year. They are easier to break down and clean and that is a plus for both my lazy streak and compulsive attention to detail.
I even think I now have some birds that are native to this immediate area. I have also noticed marked less skiddishness when I approach the window anymore. A couple of the older birds just sit there and look at me and the younger ones in general show no fear of me at all.
What a difference 15 years makes.
Anyway, I try to champion the hummingbirds as I can and if I determine they're still here the feeders will stay up for as long as necessary.
I figure my criteria is flexible enough to suit them.