My Apologies
I wanted to apologize for not posting in a very long time. Last November 29th, we lost our 20 year canine companion, Maggie, rather suddenly to illness. It has been very tough on both my wife and I. I’ve had issues with anxiety that are just now starting to resolve. Grief can be a powerful reset for your mind and soul. I’m finally feeling like nearly my old self again, good or bad-LOL!
So without further ado….
Two Quick Hummingbird Migration Tips
- Providing hummingbird nectar.
- Reducing your work for doing this.
Providing Hummingbird Nectar
This just doesn’t have to be the challenge some people make it out to be. Don’t spend money on that red crap you see at the store. Not only do they not need it but the dye is not good for humans or them. Instead, Make Your Own!
Recipe
Four cups water.
One cup plain sugar.
Heat the water to a boil, turn it off and mix in your cup of sugar completely. Let it sit until it cools. Next, on to the second step. This is easily the best tip I’ve heard in a LONG while.
Reducing Your Work
Buy Nectar Defender on Amazon or wherever you shop for your birding supplies. This stuff helps the nectar stay edible and safe for more up to two weeks in the feeder outside, even in hot weather. It also provides, copper sulfate, a micronutrient the birds need. Plus it will allow the rest you keep in the fridge to keep until you’ve emptied it. I have two medium sized feeders that are not attacked all day and the nectar keeps in the fridge until mine are both empty.
All you need for a quart of nectar is one tablespoon added to your homemade nectar after it cools! The last part is critical to remember. If you put it into a hot pan of nectar it will lose it’s ability instantly! Trust me, I’ve made this mistake-LOL!
To Sum Up
Make your own nectar. Easy as pie and CHEAP too!
Buy and add Nectar Defender to your homemade nectar. I LOVE this stuff! Not only does it provide a micronutrient the little ones need but it will reduce the amount of time you spend taking down feeders, making more nectar and watching it turn bad in three days outside. Just remember to wash your feeders about every two weeks or when your nectar needs changing. I’m betting on the two weeks myself. This stuff really IS that good!
Let me know how you go with this and enjoy your backyard animals, especially your hummers, this season!
Best,
Jeff
Hey Jeff, the numbers did a big jump here near Lake Conroe last week. The numbers keep growing each day with nasty physical combat to guard a feeder, mostly by young male Rubies. We use straight well water 5/1 in high heat periods.
Hi Jeff,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved companion…. 20 years is an amazing life! You we’re SO lucky to have had that sweet companion for so long… I too lost my beloved golden retriever/shepherd mix in February… he would have been 16 last month. He was 100% a family member to us.
And you are so correct… Grief is indeed a reset.
Take good care of yourself – thank you for all that you do here.
Hi Desiree,
I’m sorry for your loss as well. Correct me if I’m wrong but 16 years is a very long life for that beautiful combination companion, right? We know they’ll never leave us.
Thank you for your kind words and empathy. I hope you’re navigating carefully through grief’s waters. Know that you’ve absolutely made my day!
Best,
Jeff
Hey Kenneth,
Good to hear from you again!
Glad to hear your numbers have picked up. And I don’t believe there’s any way to avoid the fussing either. I went from one to two medium sized feeders and some birds just think the entire area is theirs, you know?
I’ve never heard of 5/1 but I can tell you they like the extra calories of the 4/1 and you don’t have to worry about it going bad with the Nectar Defender either.
Enjoy them while you can. Mine are already starting to look a little pudgy-LOL!
Best,
Jeff
Hello Jeff and welcome back. I am so sorry for your loss of your family pet. I understand…
my hummingbirds deplete the feeders daily. They share with the orioles (they drink out of each other’s feeders) and I haven’t seen as many orioles as of late so they might be on their way south. I live in southern California and most of my hummingbirds stay all year. They are currently eating me out of house and home! 8 cups of nectar a day at least. Do you suggest continuing to feed them all “winter” since we don’t really even get cold here?
Hi JoAnn,
Thank you for your kind words. They all help!
I wasn’t aware hummingbirds stayed anywhere all year. Hmmm. I still think the bulk of them should migrate for the winter. At that point you might not even see them. If this has been going on for years then I’m baffled.
As long as there are interested hummers I would continue to feed them. I’ve heard some people speculate that feeding them too late in the year causes them not to migrate but I don’t believe it.
Jeff