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NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2006
How To Have a Backyard Full of Hummingbirds
Locate your hummingbird feeder in the same spot year after year, as returning hummers will come back to last year's exact location, expecting to find the feeder there. To help ensure attracting them, it's best to meet their expectations. They may not spot your feeder relocated to the other end of your yard.
Get 'em interested.
Tie a big red ribbon round the old oak tree. Tie 'em to trees, bushes, and deck rails around feeders and flowers. Migrating hummers passing over will see the bright colors and upon visiting your garden, may decide to stay for more than a rest stop.
If possible, each spring install your feeder before insects arrive and before flowers bloom. This wins hummers to your food source before they are established solely on nature's bounty.
Hang your feeder in a partially shaded area, direct sun can cause the sugar and water nectar mixture to seperate and leak from your feeder.
A feeder should be cleaned thoroughly once a week in warm water and white vinegar to remove residue. A stiff bottle brush or hand-mop is useful. Soap or detergent is not recommended, especially if you have a vacuum type feeder which relies on capillary action (which soap interferes with).
Hummers are very territiorial and will fight at a feeder. When this happens it is best to set up another feeder in another spot to stop the fighting. Locate it about six feet from the other feeder.
Do not use any pesticides on flowers from which hummingbirds feed.
Repair or Replace Old Feeders!
When Feeding Nectar, Keep it Fresh!
To help keep your feeders clean see our hummer brushes, Best Hummer Brush,
IDENTIFYING HOUSE WRENS
Where they live:
House wrens live in suburban and rural areas at the edge of woods. They nest in tree holes or bird houses.
What they eat:
House wrens mostly eat mostly insects they gather off low plants.
How to identify:
A small, stocky, brownish bird with a lighter breast and belly. The bill is thin and slightly downcurved. The tail is short and often cocked when the bird is alarmed.
Behavior:
Wrens have a lovely, bubbly song that can brighten any backyard. Unfortunately they also are very aggressive around nest holes and may kick other species, such as bluebirds, out from available nest holes. "Give Them a Home of Their Own" Wren House,
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