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Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
April 21, 2008
Hummingbirds are here
If you haven’t put up a hummingbird feeder yet, now is a good time.
I like this window feeder. I had hummingbirds all last summer with it.
Window feeders are great because they give such closeup views of birds.
Hummingbird feeders are great because sugar water (four parts water to one part sugar) is the cheapest bird food you’ll ever have.
Here’s a map that shows the ruby-throated hummingbirds’ progress this spring.
P.S. The bats are here as well — but they don’t seem to have found my batboxes yet.
COMING SOON: A bee video and an owl video.
3 comments
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Jim, the boiling just retards bacterial growth. Down here in central and north Florida that is helpful.
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Thanks, that was informative. Had not heard that you’re supposed to boil the mixture. Hummingbirds seem to like the plain old water mixture a lot, without the fuss and expenditure of gas/electricty.
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I enjoyed your post. Here is some information you might find helpful.
There is no specific or exact date at which hummingbird feeders should be put up. Hummingbird feeders should be put up in time for their arrival. This will vary greatly depending upon where you are located. It is important to know the average date they arrive in your specific area, because you will want to get your feeder up 5-10 days prior to the average date of their arrival in your area. This will increase the possibility that the birds will see your feeder up and take a drink, and possibly stay for the season in your backyard!
If you choose to make your own homemade nectar solution, you need to bring this solution to a boil for 1 1/2 minutes and then let it cool down. Now you have a mixture much more similar to that of the flower nectar.
Nectar solutions should be changed every three to five days, because hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth.
If you would like much more information about hummingbirds, please use the link below. The site contains many articles about hummingbirds, video clips about hummingbirds, an informative tips booklet on hummingbirds, and much more.
http://www.abouthummingbirds.com/
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3 comments
Candy Pfau
Jim, the boiling just retards bacterial growth. Down here in central and north Florida that is helpful.
jim wright
Thanks, that was informative. Had not heard that you’re supposed to boil the mixture. Hummingbirds seem to like the plain old water mixture a lot, without the fuss and expenditure of gas/electricty.
Zoe Ann Hinds
I enjoyed your post. Here is some information you might find helpful.
There is no specific or exact date at which hummingbird feeders should be put up. Hummingbird feeders should be put up in time for their arrival. This will vary greatly depending upon where you are located. It is important to know the average date they arrive in your specific area, because you will want to get your feeder up 5-10 days prior to the average date of their arrival in your area. This will increase the possibility that the birds will see your feeder up and take a drink, and possibly stay for the season in your backyard!
If you choose to make your own homemade nectar solution, you need to bring this solution to a boil for 1 1/2 minutes and then let it cool down. Now you have a mixture much more similar to that of the flower nectar.
Nectar solutions should be changed every three to five days, because hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth.
If you would like much more information about hummingbirds, please use the link below. The site contains many articles about hummingbirds, video clips about hummingbirds, an informative tips booklet on hummingbirds, and much more.
http://www.abouthummingbirds.com/