How to Attract Hummingbirds

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard with Valley Ace Hardware in Westcliffe, CO

Hummingbirds are a delight to watch, with their iridescent feathers and lightning-fast wings creating a magical spectacle in any backyard. In Westcliffe, Colorado, where the high-altitude landscape offers stunning views and a unique environment, attracting these tiny dynamos is easier than you might think. With the right tools, plants, and know-how from Valley Ace Hardware in Westcliffe, you can transform your yard into a hummingbird haven. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to bring these jeweled fliers to your property and keep them coming back year after year.

Why Attract Hummingbirds in Westcliffe?

Westcliffe, nestled in the Wet Mountain Valley at over 7,800 feet, is home to several hummingbird species, including the Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds. These birds are drawn to the area during their spring and summer migrations, seeking nectar, insects, and safe spaces to rest and nest. The high-altitude climate, with cool nights and sunny days, provides an ideal backdrop for creating a hummingbird-friendly habitat. By offering food, water, shelter, and perches, you can make your yard a go-to stop for these migratory marvels.

Valley Ace Hardware, located at 1 Enterprise Drive, Westcliffe, CO 81252, is your local resource for all things hummingbird-related. From feeders and nectar to native plants and expert advice, their knowledgeable staff can help you create a vibrant, hummingbird-friendly yard tailored to the unique conditions of Custer County.

1. Set Up Hummingbird Feeders

One of the easiest ways to attract hummingbirds is by installing feeders filled with sweet nectar. Valley Ace Hardware carries a variety of hummingbird feeders designed to catch the eye of these color-loving birds, many featuring red or yellow feeding ports to mimic their favorite flowers.

Choosing the Right Feeder

• Saucer-Style Feeders: These are easy to clean and fill, with multiple ports to accommodate several hummingbirds at once. Look for models with built-in ant moats to keep pests at bay.
• Bottle-Style Feeders: These hold more nectar, ideal for busier yards, but require thorough cleaning to prevent mold.
• Window-Mounted Feeders: Perfect for small spaces or to enjoy close-up views from your home. Valley Ace Hardware offers suction-cup models that attach directly to windows.

When selecting a feeder, consider the number of feeding ports. Hummingbirds can be territorial, and a single dominant bird may guard a feeder with few ports, scaring others away. Opt for feeders with four or more ports to encourage sharing. Valley Ace Hardware stocks feeders from trusted brands like Perky-Pet and Aspects, ensuring durability and functionality.

Perky-Pet Hummingbird 3 oz Plastic Bottle Nectar Bird Feeder 1 ports

SKU: 8093288

Making Hummingbird Nectar

You can purchase premixed nectar at Valley Ace Hardware, but making your own is simple and cost-effective. Follow this recipe:

• Mix: Combine 1 part white granulated sugar with 4 parts water (e.g., 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water).
• Boil: Heat the mixture in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Boiling sterilizes the solution and extends its shelf life.
• Cool: Let the mixture cool to room temperature before filling feeders.
• Store: Refrigerate any extra nectar for up to one week.

Important Tips:

• Never use honey, artificial sweeteners, or red food coloring, as these can harm hummingbirds.
• Change the nectar every 3–4 days in warm weather (more frequently in Westcliffe’s sunny summer days) to prevent fermentation or mold, which can be deadly to hummingbirds.
• Clean feeders with hot water and a weak vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) to remove mold or residue. Avoid dish soap, as it can leave harmful residues.

Feeder Placement

Strategic placement maximizes visits. Here’s how to position your feeder:

• Shade: Place feeders in partial shade to slow nectar spoilage in Westcliffe’s intense sunlight.
• Visibility: Hang feeders where hummingbirds can spot them, such as near colorful flowers or red ribbons. Valley Ace Hardware sells red surveyor’s tape or ribbons to tie around trees or feeders for extra attraction.
• Safety: Position feeders near shrubs or trees for quick escapes from predators like hawks, common in the Wet Mountain Valley.
• Spacing: If using multiple feeders, place them out of sight of each other to reduce territorial conflicts. Valley Ace Hardware recommends spacing feeders at least 10–15 feet apart.

2. Plant a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden

While feeders are a great start, planting nectar-rich flowers is the most natural way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are drawn to bright, tubular flowers, especially in red, orange, and pink hues.

Best Plants for Westcliffe

Choose plants that thrive in Westcliffe’s cool nights and short growing season while providing nectar throughout spring and summer. Here are some top picks available at Valley Ace Hardware:

• Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Native to Colorado, these red and yellow tubular flowers bloom in late spring and are a hummingbird favorite.
• Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): Bright red or purple flowers that bloom through summer, attracting both hummingbirds and pollinators.
• Penstemon (Beardtongue): A hardy native with tubular flowers in red, pink, or purple, perfect for Westcliffe’s rocky soils.
• Salvia (Sage): Long-blooming red or blue varieties that thrive in sunny spots.
• Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.): Native vines or shrubs with tubular flowers that hummingbirds love.
• Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium): A native wildflower with pinkish-purple blooms, common in Colorado’s mountains.

For continuous blooms, mix early-season plants like columbine with mid- and late-season bloomers like salvia and bee balm. Valley Ace Hardware’s staff can help you select plants with staggered blooming periods to ensure a steady nectar supply.

Gardening Tips

• Group Plants: Cluster similar flowers together to create a “nectar buffet” that’s easy for hummingbirds to find.
• Avoid Pesticides: Hummingbirds eat small insects for protein, so chemical pesticides can reduce their food source and harm them directly. Valley Ace Hardware offers organic pest control options to keep your garden safe.
• Deadhead Flowers: Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowering, providing hummingbirds with a longer feeding season.
• Add Vertical Elements: Plant vines like honeysuckle on trellises or fences (available at Valley Ace Hardware) to give hummingbirds room to hover and feed.

3. Provide Water Sources

Hummingbirds need water for drinking and bathing, and they’re particularly fond of moving water. In Westcliffe’s dry climate, a reliable water source can make your yard stand out.

Water Features

• Birdbaths: Choose a shallow birdbath (1–2 inches deep) with a rough surface for grip. Valley Ace Hardware stocks birdbaths with built-in misters or bubblers, which hummingbirds love to fly through.
• Misters or Fountains: A fine mist or dripping fountain mimics natural water sources like streams. Solar-powered misters are available at Valley Ace Hardware for eco-friendly options.
• Sprinklers: Hummingbirds will dart through sprinkler sprays, so consider timing your garden watering to coincide with peak hummingbird activity (early morning or late afternoon).

Place water features near perches or flowers to create a one-stop hummingbird habitat. Clean birdbaths regularly with a vinegar solution to prevent algae buildup.

Ace Turbo Plastic Sled Base Oscillating Sprinkler 4500 sq ft 1 pk

SKU: 7139256

4. Create Perches and Shelter

Hummingbirds spend about 80% of their time perching, using twigs, wires, or shrubs to rest, preen, and guard their territory. Westcliffe’s open landscapes and forested areas provide natural perching spots, but you can enhance your yard with these additions:

• Shrubs and Trees: Plant native shrubs like serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) or small trees like crabapple (Malus spp.), available at Valley Ace Hardware, to provide perches and nesting cover.
• Trellises or Poles: Install slender poles or trellises for perching. Hummingbirds prefer thin branches or wires for their tiny feet.
• Leave Spider Webs: Hummingbirds use spider silk to build their stretchy, cup-shaped nests. Avoid removing webs from shrubs or trees, as they’re a critical nesting material.

5. Encourage Nesting

While hummingbirds don’t use traditional birdhouses (they prefer open, cup-shaped nests in tree forks), you can encourage nesting by providing the right environment:

• Nesting Materials: Offer cotton puffs, soft plant fibers, or dryer lint in a mesh bag or suet feeder. Valley Ace Hardware carries nesting material holders for easy access.
• Sheltered Spots: Maintain dense shrubs or small trees where females can build nests 5–20 feet off the ground.
• Keep Feeders Full: Nesting females need constant access to nectar to fuel their high-energy lifestyle.

6. Maintain a Hummingbird-Friendly Yard Year-Round

Hummingbirds migrate through Westcliffe from April to September, with peak activity in July and August. To keep them coming back:

• Start Early: Put feeders out in early April to catch early migrants. Valley Ace Hardware can help you time your setup based on local migration patterns.
• Monitor Feeders: Check nectar levels daily and clean feeders weekly, especially during Westcliffe’s warm summer days.
• Plant for All Seasons: Include late-blooming plants like asters to support hummingbirds during fall migration.
• Be Patient: It may take weeks for hummingbirds to discover your yard, but once they do, they’ll return annually thanks to their excellent memories.

Why Shop at Valley Ace Hardware?

Valley Ace Hardware in Westcliffe is more than just a hardware store—it’s a community hub for gardeners and bird enthusiasts. Their garden center offers:

• A wide selection of hummingbird feeders, nectar, and accessories.
• Native plants and seeds tailored to Westcliffe’s high-altitude climate.
• Expert advice from staff familiar with local wildlife and gardening challenges.
• Tools like trellises, birdbaths, and organic pest control to complete your hummingbird habitat.

Visit Valley Ace Hardware or call (719) 783-9054 to check inventory or get personalized recommendations. Their team can guide you through selecting the best products for your yard and budget.

Fun Facts About Hummingbirds in Westcliffe

• High-Energy Diet: Hummingbirds consume half their body weight in nectar daily and eat 500–2,000 insects for protein.extension.missouri.edu
• Migration Marvels: The Rufous Hummingbird, common in Westcliffe, undertakes one of the longest migrations relative to body size, traveling up to 3,000 miles from Mexico to Alaska.audubon.org
• Wing Speed: Their wings beat 50–80 times per second, creating the signature “hum” you hear as they zip by.extension.missouri.edu

Get Started Today

Transforming your Westcliffe yard into a hummingbird paradise is a rewarding project that brings beauty and life to your outdoor space. Whether you’re setting up a single feeder or designing a full hummingbird garden, Valley Ace Hardware has everything you need to succeed. Stop by their store to browse feeders, pick up native plants, or chat with their team about creating a habitat that hummingbirds can’t resist. With a little effort and the right resources, you’ll soon be enjoying the dazzling sight of hummingbirds hovering in your backyard.

For more information on gardening and wildlife in Westcliffe, visit Valley Ace Hardware or check out local resources like the Audubon Native Plant Database for region-specific plant recommendations. Happy hummingbird watching!