It’s time to get those hummingbird feeders out. Our beautiful fall visitors will soon be here and you can bet they’ll be hungry. This year it’s more important than ever that we give our feathered friends a little extra help to fuel their continued migration south. The recent drought has left few natural nectar sources for the hummers so it’s up to us to provide nectar for them in feeders and because of that shortage, you just might end up with a real crowd at your feeders.

Remember to always start with clean feeders. Clean them with a mix of one part bleach to ten parts water, rinse and allow to air dry. The sugar water is simply a mix of one part sugar (no sugar substitutes or honey) to four parts water. Do not vary from this formula. Heat to a slight boil, remove from heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Fill feeders with the solution after it cools. Adding color to the water is absolutely unnecessary. Unused sugar water can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Feeders should be cleaned and refilled with sugar water every two to three days or immediately at the first sign of mold.

Hummingbirds are bullies, always have been, always will be. And there isn’t just one bully; they’re all combative. Hanging feeders in a cluster can ease some of the competition but not all. They rarely hurt each other so just enjoy the show.

We may not want the hummingbirds to leave but leave they will. Let’s all help them out and send them on their way with a good store of energy for their journey and look for their return in spring.

The 17th annual Hummer/Bird Celebration is set for Sept. 15-18, 2005. Brochures are available at the Chamber office or go online at www.rockport-fulton.org and scroll down to Hummer/Bird Celebration.