Folks

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (RTHU) will be back in the neighborhood soon, and it is time to CLEAN YOUR FEEDERS.  Birds start arriving in late March in this area.  

To clean your feeders use a little bleach or hydrogen peroxide in the hot soapy water solution.  Rinse well and prepare the feast.  

For my first feedings, I start the early arrivers with three parts water to one part sugar.  Once the birds become regular, I switch to four parts water to one part sugar.  I use no color dyes to attract the hummingbirds, and have always had good numbers of birds around the house.  I put one on both sides of the house so the birds have two opportunities to find the feeders.  Boil the sugar-water mix, let cool, and fill your feeders.   If it is warm (above 60 degrees) for a couple days, change the mixture, but be patient.  If you put them out they will come. 

There is a hummingbird website that you can look at to track the movement of the RTHU north.  See:   www.hummingbirds.net/map.html.  The current map shows the RTHUs are a bit slow getting into our area this year, but be patient and be prepared.  The weather pattern could change soon, and the RTHU could make a run for your house.

Enjoy the hummers.

George Jett