GC.SUL@forsythe.stanford.edu (MIKE SULLIVAN) (04/27/89)
The use of protein powder supplement is advised ONLY when the temperature drops below freezing and the natural insect populations are decimated. Also, it needs to be changed DAILY-in warm weather, WILDLIFE RESCUE-who successfully rehabilitate many injured hummingbirds insist that the protein nectar be changed twice a day. The other reason that honey is not recommended is that it is a dextrose and fructose sugar. Cane or beet sugar is sucrose sugar-the kind predominating in natural flower nectar. Also, honey spoils more quickly and is a more concentrated sugar requiring dilution. It must also be boiled, which destroys any adventage from its naturalness. Again, the correct proportion of sugar to water is one part sugar to four parts water. Bring to the point of boil (just to make sure the sugar is evenly dissolved). Refrigerate unused portion , and there is NOT REASON to add red food dye. There are those who are questioning my advise and I can only tell you that I have researched this with the local WILDLIFE RESCUE groups, and Louise Blakey of Los Altos. These people have studied hummingbirdsd and nutritional requirements over the past 20 years and are looked upon as experts in the field. One more point and I will try to keep quiet on the subject. Keep feeders clean, change the syrup frequently, and hang feeders in the SHADE. Why does everyone hang their feeder in front of a sunny window? We are fortunate to have the hummingbirds-they are only found on this continent, and we are also fortunate in that we can REALLY help them with properly maintained feeders and gardens planted with hummingbird plants. Unfortunately many people are doing much more harm than good. Also, keep feeders going in the winter if you have birds that stick around. Karen Sullivan HUMMINGBIRD GARDENS nursery La Honda, CAlIF