I also agree with the memory of hummingbirds. We have had them come to the "wire and hook" where we hang the feeders and just hover there just like the feeders were out, flit back and forth a little as if to say " come out, come out whereever you are!!!!" and then fly off. Even if it takes us a few days to get the feeders out, they will do the same thing until they are up, and yes, it only takes literally a few minutes before one is at the feeders. In a word: Remarkable!
Bears: If the bears are a problem, and you live here year round or are at least up here full time now, you can put out your feeders in the morning, and take them in at dark. The bears will not generally be around during the day, and you can therefore enjoy your birds and not have the latest in pretzel lawn ornaments in the morning!
It's a pain, but at least you will still have the birds.
For those who don't live up here full time, invest in one of those motion detector machine guns from Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops ($899) and get even with those fuzzy dudes!
