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Hummingbird Articles
Greetings Peccole Ranch Neighbors!
Summer time is here and it is hot again. I want to introduce some
residents that have been living or passing through our neighborhood.
They are: Allen’s, Anna’s, black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope,
Costa’s and the long traveler Rufous (migratory route is Mexico to
Alaska and return).
What you ask? They all come under the heading of Hummingbird. That’s
right, I am talking about those fast flying, darting, acrobatic,
fighting and on the constant hunt for sugar solution little Hummers.
They can be found right in your backyard and green belt area. They are
the only birds that can hover and fly backwards.
I urge all Peccole Ranch residents to take the time and very little
investment of putting up a Hummingbird feeder in their yard.
Collectively, as Peccole Ranch residents we have the potential of
turning Peccole Ranch into a Hummer sanctuary. Every home adding a
feeder as a year round food source will keep that many more birds in
this area. I am here to help and answer your questions. Let’s get
started:
· Hummers are attracted to anything red
· Purchase an easy to clean and simple feeder. Put only the
quantity of sugar solution necessary for a less than a week’s duration
of feeding. Never mix honey (contain botulinum spores) or red coloring
to the sugar solution. As long as the color red is on the feeder
somewhere, they will find it. They learn fast
· Sugar solution can and should be made in your own kitchen.
Simply take a large pan and add 8 cups of tap water. Bring this water
to a near boil and slowly dissolve 2 cups of pure granulated white sugar
into the near boiling water (the ratio is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
Don’t skimp! Hummers can tell the difference and will move on) keep
stirring until the solution is clear. Remove from heat and let cool
several hours—I prefer to let it stand covered on the stove overnight
for cooling
· Save an empty gallon water bottle and with the aid of a large
funnel transfer the sugar solution from the pan to the bottle in your
kitchen sink. Steady, that pan is big. Mark it “Hummer Solution” and
store in the refrigerator
· Feeders should be taken down and washed out, run a small brush
(available where you order quality feeders. My personal manufacturer
choice is “Droll Yankee”. Droll Yankee makes the “little flyer”. It is
excellent. Use your PC to find on the web) through the feeder portals,
and a larger brush for the inside of the feeder. Rinse, fill with fresh
solution and hang outside. In time, the birds will be there waiting
· Use the same area to hang the feeder and make sure it has shade
during the day to keep the solution from evaporating. A reachable
bottom branch of a backyard tree or under your patio is perfect. A
constant food source in the same location of your yard will ensure many
birds
Be prepared for Hummer watching! Shortly a dominant male hummingbird
will take up residence in your yard and claim it as his territory. He
will be chasing many juveniles, females and other males out of the
territory and away from “his” supply of sugar solution. But, he can’t
watch the feeder all the time and other birds will feed. I wish you the
best of luck and watch for future articles from the Peccole Hummer Man.
article by Lex
Las Vegas, Nevada
12/01/05 |
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