Hummingbirds are indeed amazing creatures. Among those who were given the gift of flight, they are the only ones who can fly backwards! Their wings also beat the fastest among any other bird. It is definitely a treat to see one of these incredible birds up close.
These birds love the nectar from honeysuckle flowers. But these plants are not as common as they were before. So, to encourage these creatures to visit your home, try putting up hummingbird feeders in your backyard. They will surely flock to your garden and grace you with their presence. You can find these bird feeders online at reasonable prices. In exchange, you will have priceless hours observing these magnificent animals.
Maintenance on your bird feeders include cleaning the feeders, the area around the feeders and keeping the food supply full. Cleaning the feeders and surrounding area keeps your feathered friends healthy and keeps them from spreading diseases. Most feeders should be cleaned at least once per season with the exception of Hummingbird feeders that need to be cleaned weekly.
To clean your feeders, make up a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Discard any remaining feed and wash the feeder with hot, soapy water. Dipping it into the bleach solution sterilizes it. Be sure to rinse the feeder really good and allow it to dry completely before refilling it. It is a good idea to clean up the ground area around your bird feeder at the same time. Using a rake, clean the ground of seed hulls. When the seed hulls sit for awhile, they decompose and can spread disease among the birds.
Lastly, refill the feeders on a regular basis to ensure that the birds have a regular supply of food. If you don’t refill the feeders on a regular basis, the birds will move on to other food sources.
A balcony is the most underused spot in an apartment. If you have a balcony, all you need is a little imagination and patience and you can have a small garden to brag about. Hang a wind chime or other garden art to add a personal touch. There should however, be some order in the way you arrange things so the overall space doesn’t end up looking cluttered.
You can grow tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and many more veggies, all in pots. These are a bit more challenging than a few flowers and if you’re not willing to work a bit harder, consider growing your own herb garden. It’s the best option to grow in pots, needing just water and sunlight.
Observing a hummingbird in flight, one can’t help but marvel at the rapid clip of the wings. They beat at such a fast rate that it’s no surprise the tiny birds require plenty of fuel. Hummingbirds are notorious for their sweet tooth – or sweet beak – and you can lure them to your window by setting up a hummingbird feeder. These specialized feeders should be replenished with a steady supply of nectar.
Nectar is deceptively simple to make in your own home. Just mix four parts water together with one part granulated sugar. You’ll likely attract a few bees and wasps at first, which could actually deter a hummingbird from dining at the feeder. In order to prevent a swarm of insects from taking over the feeder, dilute the nectar with some additional water. Once you find the right mix, the hummers will come fluttering in.