There’s a lot about summer that facilitates joy, from lazy afternoon picnics to sun-soaked days on the beach, but few things feel as pure and sweet as catching a glimpse of wildlife in your lawn. Whether you plant blooms in the hopes of attracting pollinators or secretly don’t mind the occasional visit from a family of deer, that one-with-nature feeling is just about as “summer” as it gets.

And, when it comes to warm-weather visitors, no guest is more iconic than the hummingbird. These fanciful winged creatures are pretty magical—and surprisingly easy to lure to your lawn. Hanging a hummingbird feeder is a great way to start, but where you locate the birdie buffet matters too. Below, we’re sharing six strategies that will help beckon hummingbirds to your lawn—and ensure they leave full and satisfied.

Place your hummingbird feeder near “food plants”

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To start inviting hummingbirds to your lawn, you’ll need to first prove that you have something worthwhile there for them. While a feeder can be tempting once they’re in the vicinity, plants are the best way to make your lawn alluring from the start.

“The safest and natural way to attract hummingbirds to your yard is by using native plants,” says Liz Tidwell, a wildlife specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. “While ornamental, non-native plants will work just fine, hummingbirds' beaks are specifically adapted to feeding on our native plants. Choose bright colors like red, orange, and yellow—hummingbirds are attracted to those colors—as well as plants with large tubular flowers, like trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).”

And close to places to perch

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It may be tempting to locate your hummingbird feeder in the middle of the lawn for the best peek at your pretty visitors, but all that wide open space can actually deter the small, vulnerable birds from stopping by. “The best place for a hummingbird feeder is near hedges, trees, or shrubs, rather than out in the open,” says Anusha Shankar, an integrative biologist and physiological ecologist who researches hummingbirds. “They like being able to quickly fly into vegetation, where they can watch before coming into the feeder, or sometimes after feeding.”

If you get a second feeder, place it out of the line of sight of the first

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While you’ll occasionally see hummingbirds feeding together at the same time, experts say the species can be a bit territorial, so if you notice frequent visits from more than one bird, you may want to spring for a second feeder. “If there is a perch nearby, there’s a chance you might get one individual guarding it against other hummingbirds,” explains Chris Clark, Ph.D, an associate professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at the University of California. “If that happens, you can hang a second feeder somewhere that is not in line of sight from the first one, which will prevent one bird from guarding both.”

Follow the insects

According to Clark, hummingbirds drink nectar for calories, but their main diet centers around insects, making it a good idea to go where the bugs are when considering placement for your hummingbird feeder. “Hummingbirds love compost piles, which typically have lots of tiny insects, as well as areas next to streams, which also tend to harbor lots of insects.” Tidwell adds that native plants can also go a long way toward increasing the insect population in your yard and creating an all-you-can-eat buffet for hummingbirds. “Insects will use the native plants for food and a place to lay their eggs.”

A water feature nearby is a big plus

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If you’ve noticed that your hummingbird feeder is a bit quiet lately, you can consider bringing in a water feature to help attract new feathered friends to the area. “Water is another great way to attract hummingbirds to your yard, especially during years of drought,” says Tidwell. “Standing water is okay for hummingbirds, but they actually prefer moving water—adding a mister, dripper, or bubbling water fountain is a great option for hummingbirds. The biggest thing is to make sure that the water is shallow, because hummingbirds are not strong swimmers.”

Keep it away from the house, off the ground — and away from certain flower colors

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Unfortunately, hummingbirds in your lawn doesn’t mean just hummingbirds—their nectar can often attract interlopers like bears and bees, too. The key to discouraging unwanted visitors? Hanging your feeder at the proper height. “Ideally, hummingbird feeders should be hung 20 feet from any house structure and a minimum of 4 feet off the ground,” says Tidwell. “This will decrease the number of window collisions and give the hummingbirds plenty of room to safely maneuver. Suspending feeders 4 feet off the ground will help to keep cats and other terrestrial predators from being able to easily grab hummingbirds while feeding.” To avoid bees, Tidwell suggests avoiding feeders or nearby plants that boast white or yellow flowers, which are known to be attractive to bees.