[birdky] It's Time for Hummingbirds

I am often asked and see the question posed on various listserves as to what 
happens to hummers in the summer, folks have their feeders out but no birds.  
Unless you live in an area where hummers breed, you will have few or none from 
early to mid-June until about mid-July when the young begin leaving the nest 
and birds begin moving south.

Juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have begun arriving at the feeders the past 
couple of days.  Now is the time to clean and put your feeders out if you 
haven't and make sure the sugar-water or nectar is kept fresh, best changed 
every 4-5 days during hot sunny weather.  Sugar-water is preferred as it is 
without food coloring which isn't necessary to attract the birds, and pure cane 
sugar is best.  A ratio of one part sugar to four parts water is ideal.  
Boiling isn't required and I just fill the mixing pan with hottest tap water 
then stir in the sugar until it dissolves, letting it cool before refilling the 
feeders.

It won't be long before the feeders are swarming with hummingbirds and most 
everyone should have them at their feeders within the next couple of weeks.  
Beginning now, vagrants become more likely, so be sure to keep you eyes open 
for and please report any unusual hummers.

David L. Roemer
Bowling Green, Ky.




      
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