Stray cats outside

Does anyone know what time of night cats outside usually come out?

I have been feeding stray cats and to be honest I was worried I was feeding a skunk, but in the back of my mind I knew I shouldnt stop putting food out. I had seen about 3 cats around already and all of them seen to have been strays, not feral cats, because I have seen them up close and I was talking to them. They sat and just listened. So we got snow here the past few days and I have been checking tracks and I was keeping track of only 1 cat that has been coming. He/she made the same route everyday to the food bowl. I thought there would have been more than 1 because like I said I saw at least 3 and I know there is more cats around than that.

So I went down to look at the tracks this morning to see if there were any changes in the cats pattern or to see if there was any other unwanted critters, I find what looks like 2 or 3 sets of adult cat tracks AND teeny tiny tracks. A kitten! They look smaller than my kittens feet (my kittens are 4 months old) So the kitten has to be younger than mine. They were TINY. I also didnt see the tracks leaving the food bowl, the kitten definately ate though but the tracks went back under a shed (I found one of my cats I have now under that shed) Do cats have kittens this time of year?? I also saw adult cat tracks go under the shed but they come back out. Is it possible I was feeding a mother cat? When do you think it's safe to trap them and spay/neuter them? I know it's usually after the kitten/kittens are done nursing but I havent seen the kitten so I'm not sure on age.

My main question is, I cannot get them to come to me during feeding time. Idk if they even know who is feeding them. I wanted to make sure they see it's me feeding them so they get used to me and associate me with food. But I have no idea what time they even come out. To me I'm guessing between 12am and 4am. But I'm not sure. I usually feed them first thing when I wake up but the food remains untouched until late. I even went out at about 10pm to check if I could get a peek but nothing in sight. 

The sad thing is I realize depending on how old the kitten is it could end up being a feral. I think I'm too late for the kitten But like I said, the others (if it's the same cats) are strays so it's possible to get them used to me.

Does anyone have any advice for me??   I wanna help them so bad!

First, thank you for taking care of these cats/kittens.
Cats generally feed/hunt at sun rise and sun set, that is, around 6 or 6:30 a.m. and 5:30/6:00 p.m. It's when other small(er) animals are also out hunting for food. If there is a lot of noise at these hours, then they may wait until it is quieter. Truly feral (versus stray) cats hide 24x7 except when hungry.
Yes, cats can have kittens this time of year. The male cat is always looking for love. We had some unseasonably warm weather in October, so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw kittens in January 2014.
I would try to trap any cats you can. They will be healthier for it, regardless whether they are young enough to socialize. If you end up trapping the presumed mother cat/female, you can ask the vet to look at her first to see if she is still nursing. If the kitten is two pounds or two months, then the kitten is old enough to be weaned (and spayed/neutered).
I use to take care of a cat colony that had 10 regular diners (after TNRing around 35 cats). It was noisy from sunset to around 2 a.m., so I would often get up at 4 a.m. to set out traps. Occasionally, I would leave the trap out overnight, in a protective area, in good weather.
Ritz and her siblings were rescued the day after Christmas, estimated age around four months. She and her siblings were successfully socialized and adopted out, though two cats were ready to be adopted out within a month (including Ritz) and two cats six months later. So, it might not be too late for the kitten.

Please consider trapping and spaying/neutering them as soon as possible.  I made the mistake of waiting to neuter one of my male ferals during the winter.  I was worried that after trapping him and returning him back outside, it would be too cold and if he got sick I wouldn't be able to find him.  This was a mistake on my part.  I set out to trap him in early April.  I was too late.  He had been leaving for a few days at a time, but I had no idea he was out "tom cattin" around.  He was gone for 5 months before returning.  Who knows the trouble he caused.  He was a tough one to trap and it took me quite a few tries before I got him.  He was not happy about it, but I felt better knowing it would reduce the feral cat population in my area.  I also worried about his wandering. 

When feeding the strays/ferals, it is best to put food out in the morning and then pick it up at night.  If you leave it unattended all night who knows who/what else is eating it.  I like to feed both wet and dry food.  I put the wet food out in the morning when the cats are present and then leave them dry food to eat during the day.  In the late afternoon I give them some more wet food if they are around.  I pick up the dry food between 8 and 9 pm.  They both know that they need to eat while the food is out.

Thank you for caring for these kitties.