As I sat in the garden today, taking a rest from planting the too many plants I “just had to have”, I was writing an email to S.D.- discussing if having ‘tea’ together would be a reality sometime in the next few months, there was a very distinct ‘fluttering’ near one of the empty hummingbird feeders. I thought to myself, they are back! Seldom do I see hummingbird activity in my garden before May first. But, by golly, I do believe they are back!
Of course I gathered up my empty feeders and prepared the mixture I have used for years. One cup of sugar to four cups of water. Bring to a boil, let cool and put in feeders. over the years folks have argued with me over the correct amount of sugar to water. I have heard too much sugar can eventually kill the birds.
Ants are always a problem for me at the feeders. I bought a commercial gel for $6.98 that worked well, but last season a Chatlister suggested I try common Vaseline. I did, and it seems to work. But last year’s Vaseline on the wire today was really yicckie-poo.
The birds haven’t shown themselves yet, but they will. Soon five to six will be fussing over the same feeder when there are four others hanging there just waiting to be used. Once the birds are back, they seem to stay around until mid September.
Ever so often when I am sitting in the garden, maybe six feet from a feeder, a hummer wants to get a closer look and comes a-buzzing distressingly close. They were practicing social distancing since the beginning of time, I reckon , . .
N.A.
N.A. Booko- Maybe my eyeglasses are outdated . . did I type birds or blirds?
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:59:51 -0400
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: I heard a flutter . . .