[Birdtalk] Re: Hummingbirds

[Linda Butler]

Usually the hummers ARE more plentiful after a change in syrup. For some reason I haven't heard or seen a single one since yesterday's change. Perhaps it's the weather...today's been wet.
I am using a 1:4 ratio. I heard that in the heat of the summer a 1:5 ratio is good because the additional liquid keeps them hydrated. I haven't tried it yet, but if it's healthy for the birds it would be nice to stretch the sugar just a bit.
Linda

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: jesstokes at gmail.com 
  To: MarJean Muhlestein 
  Cc: birdtalk at utahbirds.org ; Linda Butler 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 1:23 PM
  Subject: Re: Re: [Birdtalk] Re: Hummingbirds


  I concur with MarJean. I change every 3 days, and the hummers seem to notice. I've also read that old syrup can harbor bacteria and algae... and in my experience sometimes an ant has crawled in and died, which the hummers don't appreciate. (Who would?)

  Out of curiosity, are we all using the same sugar to water ratio? I follow the Stokes (no relation) formula of 1part sugar to 4 parts water.

  Jessica

  On Jun 17, 2009 12:33pm, MarJean Muhlestein <wingsnwind at msn.com> wrote:
  > 
  > 
  > Make sure your changing the syrup mixture every 3 days, so it will always 
  > be fresh. I find that on the day I change I always have more hummer activity. 
  > Also, hang up a bee trap because those little guys can cause the hummers to go 
  > find food elsewhere, or they don't stay as long.
  > 
  >  
  > 
  > MarJean
  > 
  > 
  > ----- Original Message ----- 
  > 
  > From: Linda 
  > Butler 
  > 
  > To: birdtalk at utahbirds.org 
  > 
  > Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 12:31 
  > PM
  > 
  > Subject: [Birdtalk] Re: 
  > Hummingbirds
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > I've seen or heard hummers nearly every day at my Pleasant 
  > Grove home. 
  > They've mainly zipped through the yard, but occasionally will 
  > stop for a 
  > brief sip. In spite of the rain, the nectar in one feeder had 
  > started to 
  > dry. I cleaned the feeders today and will let you know if I see 
  > any more 
  > activity.
  > Linda Butler 
  > 
  > 
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