Jerry Eisner wrote:
>
> Ok - I have had my hummingbird feeder up for more than a week and no
> result.
> So, what is the best recipe for feeding hummers at this time of year? Is
> the prepackaged stuff best? If so, which?
> If not, what comb. of sugar to water? And is a couple drops of red
> vegetable coloring ok?
> Jerry Eisner
> Mt. Vernon, WA
>
> ----------
> > From: Brdr1 at aol.com
> > To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> > Subject: More Spring is Here
> > Date: Tuesday, March 11, 1997 7:44 PM
> >
> > I had my first Hummingbird show up at my feeder yesterday evening. It
> was
> > dusk and too dark to see very well but I presume the Rufous I usually
> have.
> > Things are really picking up with the Robins singing and the Hummers
> zinging
> > about!
> >
> > (:v Donna Ferrill
> > Brdr1 at aol.com
> > Mukilteo/Cle Elum, WA
> >
RESPONSE:

Do not buy prepared sugar solutions. Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts
water - bring to a boil to sterilize solution and allow to cool.
Hummingbirds do not need red color, that's more for the humans. It is
best to use a clear solution. Rufous hummingbirds should be coming back
by the end of the month of March. Males arrive first - the females two
weeks later.

Visit the Seattle Audubon Nature Shop for the new book "Hummingbird
Gardens." This 1996 release not only describes vegetation that attracts
hummingbirds to your backyard but describes the South to North migration
of all hummingbirds in North America with conversations for actual
people in the birds flight path. A fascinating book!!

Call the Seattle Audubon Society at (206) 523-4483 for more hummingbird
information.


Kathy Manville
Bellevue, WA