Speaking of spring....

[rb]

How many of you are looking forward to the hummingbirds return? They usually return here about March 15th.

Remember the recipe:

2 cups water
1 cup sugar

Mix together and boil for 4 minutes. Cool and pour into feeders. You'll have hummer raids in no time!

Renee

[Littljoe]

Hey, Renee, hi there!

I usually put up my hummingbird feeders in early to mid-March, or even late February if it's warm, to catch the interest of the spring migrants. If I wait much later than that, I miss them entirely and don't have a single hummer all summer. I also find it's important to plant flowers they like, to grab their attention.

A few years ago I had the most amazing population of hummers--I was putting out food about every second day all summer, and they stayed on into late September! They even nested in a tree outside our window. But that's very unusual. Usually if I want to see large numbers of hummingbirds, I have to go down to the Ozarks.

--LJ

[Mary Ann]

I live pretty far out in the country, and there are plenty of seed heads and such out in the fields, above the snow. That's how I console myself; I have a feeling if I put out bird feeders, they'd be cat feeders too, if you know what I mean.

We see some hummers sometimes in the summer. At first I usually think they're big bugs. I sure do like to see them, though!

[Littljoe]

Actually, MaryAnn, the wildlife experts will tell you that you should only put out feeders when natural food is unavilable or in short supply, like under ice or snow. Otherwise the birds can become dependent on you and congregate in greater numbers than the natural food can support, and then if you stop feeding, especially when the weather's really bad and they need a lot of food, they can be in real trouble. So you're doing exactly right.

You're right about the cat feeders, too. Cats take a horrendous toll in songbirds, several millions every year. If you're in an area where there are a lot of outdoor cats, about the only thing you can do is make sure that your feeders are out in the open, far away from any cover that a cat could use. And if you live in the Michigan woods or somewhere, that's pretty difficult!

--LJ

[wildfire]

They would land on her shoulder, and pull out her hair for nesting material!
(But she STILL put out feeders for them.)

Thank You for the reminder and recipe.

Here in LA we have LOTS of hummingbirds. This area is world known for the little beauties.

GLHR!

[rb]

We got about 40 last year. The area we're in isn't real hummer friendly, but we noticed there is a definite lull in the amount we put out, once it gets warm and the flowers come out. So, it looks like the hummers prefer flowers over feeders.

There is usually a big rush when they first arrive, in mid-March, while they're courting/building. I have to fill 3 32 oz feeders at least once a day. Then in May/June, there is a lull and I might have to fill those same feeders once or twice a week (at which time, I only fill them 1/2 way). Then, late August/September, it's full force again until they migrate.

We have our feeders way up off the ground, under the roof overhang, so the cats can't get near them. Late last year, we had a swarm of honey bees come in and clean out one feeder. The hummers left that one alone. Oddly enough, the bees didn't get aggressive at all. In fact, I was able to fill the feeder and work in the immediate area without getting stung. I tried to film it, but the area was just too dark.

I've discovered that hummers are extremely picky about their food. The much prefer the 'real' thing over my sugar water. And, they much prefer the sugar water over that nectar mix you buy in the stores.

All in all, last year, we went through more than 40lbs of sugar for the hummers!

Renee

[Newfygirl]

Thanks for the recipe! We feed all kinds here. Even the squirrels get treats. A few weeks ago I tried to make this healty, low carb, low fat carrot cake. It was so awful that we put it out for the squirrels and not even the squirrels would eat it. Lesson from that - if you're going to make cake, make cake with all the fat and carbs and sugar!

[Marci]

Well now I know why the hummers didn't like my feeder, I didn't boil the sugar water. But I had it up way high on the second story since any lower than that the bears get it. Funny thing is I had a bear (small young bear) shimmy up the tree next to the house and look in the window:o-I know he was looking at the sugary sweet hummer feeder that was hanging on the eve. But there was no way for him to get at it- no trees close enough. Strange thing is the next day it fell down. Do you think it was a case of wishful bear thinking?
I guess I will have to buy another one, but we have so many flowers it would probably be ignored anyways. Hey I heard my first bird song yesterday. Laying in bed in the am and one starts singing-so sweetly. I think it was a thrush. I love spring.