The Bird Nuts Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, The Bird Nuts said: Do you think it would be better to keep it refrigerated after it is opened? Sorry about the dumb questions...Of course it's better to refrigerate! ? I'll stop interrupting your conversation now and go clean out my fridge. Edited March 4, 2019 by The Bird Nuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leviticus Plews Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 41 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: I've been known to make the first couple of batches each spring with a couple of extra tablespoons of sugar. Yes, the guideline I read (years ago): Extra sugar when they need extra energy (early Spring and Fall); extra water in very hot weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tclarkwood Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 I'll try to find out how long the spring water is in the gallon jug from Walmart. I would not think that it is very long and would not have a substantial leaching chemical effect. Water has to stay in the plastic jug for months and months to get any chemical leaching. That is my understanding from the research that has been done. I think the Great Value Spring Water taste very good here in Alabama. I'm not sure that if you bought it in Missouri or Pennsylvania that the source is the same. Probably not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aveschapinas Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 I am nowhere this precise in measuring, etc. I make one feederfull of nectar this time of year - I think it's about 25 ounces or so - but at peak I need 3 liters every few days. I mix right in the feeder now (it's a nice one with a wide-mouthed glass jar, so I put sugar to about 1/4 of the height and add water, stir until dissolved - which is quite quick - then fill all the way and give it another quick stir). When I'm making 3 liters for several feeders I use a large pitcher to mix it. I agree, it seems impossible that flowers contain exactly a 1:4 sugar:water ratio, so I can't see the need to worry about things like the small amount of evaporation from boiling (assuming you don't boil for a long time). Covering the pot and shaking the lid a litte after it cools would also recover most of the water lost to evaporation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tclarkwood Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) Looks like the Hummingbirds may be 5-10 days early according to Journey North . They are already here! Put out your feeders! Edited March 11, 2019 by tclarkwood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 I put one out yesterday to see if it attracts anything. We've had some really cold weather, and we are going to have a warming trend this week, so fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tclarkwood Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I put one feeder out on the back. We have a very cold air mass moving in this weekend and it would not surprise me if it slows the Northern movement of hummers until it passes through Monday/Tuesday. That will put us back on Track so that hummers are showing up at about the same time they usually show up each year. They have been about 5-10 days early at some places. I still have not seen one and may not until April. I’m not home that much so I only get to watch sometimes on the weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 eBird shows a RTHU reported about a mile north of me two days ago. I'll get my feeder deployed this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Saw the first hummie Saturday morning at 40 degrees, perched near where a feeder hung last year. I had the feeders out before lunch and he found one before dark. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tclarkwood Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 I forgot to post that we saw our first hummingbird this week on April 2nd. Have not seen another one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 Usually we’d have at least one Hummingbird in our backyard by now. But I guess they’re a little slow this spring, just as the warm weather is too. The only thing slurping out of our lonely hummer feeder since it went up has been one of our resident Downy’s. ? This particular Little Ms. Downy is the same one who was obsessed with the sugar water last year too, in fact, so much so that we had to hang up two more just so the Humningbirds could get a sip in! Silly girl (but at least she also slurps up any interloping ants trying to cross the moat)! ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 Still nothing here also. I've changed the nectar several times just to make sure it was fresh, but I guess they are slow to come around this year ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted April 7, 2019 Author Share Posted April 7, 2019 . . . . And this morning I was sitting having my cup of coffee, staring at the hummingbird feeder, wondering why I havent seen any yet, and to my surprise a ruby throated buzzes right up and tries every port on the feeder! ??? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Put up a 2nd feeder in the front today. Didnt take long for them to find it, and they seem to be coming from all directions now ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird Brain Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Just saw the 1st male Black-chinned of the year at my back feeder!! Should be several more showing up soon, as well as the females. The Anna's, which are here year round, are already nesting. Spotted one at her nest in my neighbors yard yesterday. While I was watching her she flew to one of my feeders, drank her fill, then flew back to her nest. Spring is definitely here!!!! ? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 (edited) I've already got fighting at the feeders this morning. Guess I need to put up another feeder. The end of last year I got one of those Humm-Bug feeders, so I'll get nanners today and fill it up. Curious to see if they take to it. Has anyone else tried the Humm-Bug feeder? Edited April 9, 2019 by MeInDallas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meghann Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 58 minutes ago, MeInDallas said: I've already got fighting at the feeders this morning. Guess I need to put up another feeder. The end of last year I got one of those Humm-Bug feeders, so I'll get nanners today and fill it up. Curious to see if they take to it. Has anyone else tried the Humm-Bug feeder? Interesting. I hadn't heard of that one. I bet during nesting that would be popular! My daughter saw a hummer last week, so I put a feeder out, and waited and waited. Finally today, she gasped and pointed out another one, so I finally saw it! Nice male Rubythroat checking it out. He didn't stay long, so I bet I need to refresh the nectar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meghann Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 And now we have a squirrel that has developed a taste for hummingbird nectar. . . . ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 35 minutes ago, meghann said: And now we have a squirrel that has developed a taste for hummingbird nectar. . . . ??? I can help with that. I have a terrier who would like to develop a taste for squirrel. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted April 12, 2019 Author Share Posted April 12, 2019 (edited) Edited April 12, 2019 by MeInDallas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeInDallas Posted April 12, 2019 Author Share Posted April 12, 2019 If you click on the above picture it will take you to the video ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOl Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Well, a pair of ruby throated hummingbirds finally showed up Friday at my feeder. I was beginning to wonder if they ever would. I live in Eastern Tn on the Cumberland Plateau at about 2000 ft above sea level. w 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 1 hour ago, DaveOl said: Well, a pair of ruby throated hummingbirds finally showed up Friday at my feeder. I was beginning to wonder if they ever would. I live in Eastern Tn on the Cumberland Plateau at about 2000 ft above sea level. Told ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tclarkwood Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 I saw the first ruby-throat at my feeder this morning getting ready for work. I need to change out my juice with fresh now that I have seen one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyhighbuddy01 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 squirrels are such a nuisance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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