As opposed to the despicable furred rodents mentioned in my last post, we also have a much more pleasant visitor species these days at our home. Ruby-throated hummingbirds! Nick reminded me in May that it was time to put the feeder out again, but I did not rush because last year we only had a couple of hummingbirds all summer long. This year could not be more different: they are visiting multiple times an hour, all day long - it's amazing! The hummingbird feeder is mounted on the outside of the kitchen window, providing an excellent view as we make coffee, prepare dinner, or wash dishes. It makes starting my workdays a lot more pleasant to sip my tea and watch the little speed demons. They are so fast! They're also very loud, as one would imagine since their wings beat over 600 times a minute. When it's early enough in the morning that it's still cool outside, I will sometimes open the kitchen window, and there's a loud thrumming as they approach. Both Nick and I have been buzzed by a hummingbird or two in the backyard as they make their way to the feeder; it's quite an experience. Apparently they're getting used to us.
The hummingbirds are also tremendous eaters. It makes sense, given how much energy they burn flying around, but they are going through nectar (ie. 1 part sugar, 4 parts water) at a prodigious rate. I am starting to suspect that there either aren't many other sources of food for them around here, or that there are a ton of hummingbirds. I make large batches of sugar water and store it in the fridge, then refill the feeder a little at a time so it doesn't spoil. I was putting in about 1/2 cup at a time, but that isn't even lasting a week now! I did a little observation to note how much they eat (drink?) in a day and it's pretty impressive. It's a good thing that it's just sugar water, and it's also a good thing that (for once) the squirrels aren't interested. These little birds are so much fun to watch! I for one will be quite sad when they migrate southward later in the year.
The hummingbirds are also tremendous eaters. It makes sense, given how much energy they burn flying around, but they are going through nectar (ie. 1 part sugar, 4 parts water) at a prodigious rate. I am starting to suspect that there either aren't many other sources of food for them around here, or that there are a ton of hummingbirds. I make large batches of sugar water and store it in the fridge, then refill the feeder a little at a time so it doesn't spoil. I was putting in about 1/2 cup at a time, but that isn't even lasting a week now! I did a little observation to note how much they eat (drink?) in a day and it's pretty impressive. It's a good thing that it's just sugar water, and it's also a good thing that (for once) the squirrels aren't interested. These little birds are so much fun to watch! I for one will be quite sad when they migrate southward later in the year.
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