09/01/2026
Have you noticed more hummingbird activity around Austin lately?
Late summer and early fall brings a surge of hummingbird activity to Central Texas as resident birds mingle with migrants passing through on their way south. And while a hummingbird feeder can be a great way to observe these tiny, fascinating birds up close, there’s a right way AND a wrong way to offer them a helping hand.
A few important rules:
🌿 Keep feeders clean. In Austin’s heat, sugar water can spoil surprisingly quickly. Change it regularly and thoroughly clean the feeder before refilling.
🍬 Stick to plain white sugar + water. No honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, or other additives. Hummingbirds don’t need them.
☀️ Give feeders some shade. Direct Texas sun can heat the nectar and accelerate spoilage.
🌺 Don’t rely on feeders alone. Native flowering plants provide nectar as well as habitat for the tiny insects hummingbirds need for protein.
🐦 And don’t panic if the feeder suddenly gets busy! Fall migration can bring an influx of hummingbirds through Austin, making late summer and early fall an especially exciting time to watch.
A feeder should supplement a healthy habitat. The best thing we can do for hummingbirds is create spaces where they can find nectar, insects, shelter, and native plants throughout their journey.
And if you really want to score some bonus points, leaving out bowls or dishes of water will help squirrels, birds, deer, mice, and others who are struggling to find water this late in such a hot and dry season.
🌿🪶💧🔥
