Still waiting for that first hummingbird to arrive
Maybe I’m missing something, but I still haven’t seen a hummingbird around my property – not even the usual early scout. Some years, the weather is unseasonably cold and the hummers’ unofficial arrival date of the first of May is delayed.
Other times, they show up and retreat south again for the weather turns too cold for them to survive.
This year May 1 did not offer the best conditions to greet the annual visitors as they come north after wintering in the southwest.
Although I saw no early arrivals, I faithfully cleaned our feeders, mixed up fresh nectar and put some of the feeders out on May 2.
To this date, I still have not seen a hummingbird.
Most people I ask tell the same story, but some say they have seen hummingbirds at their feeders.
Most of the time, when they don’t appear early, they fail to show up during the summer months.
That’s what happened last year.
I kept nectar in the feeders throughout the summer, and did not see a hummer until September when they were starting to head south.
A few hung around for a few days before departing.
Hopefully, I was able to at least allow them to rest and recharge their bodies before completing their annual trip south.
I plan to hang a couple more feeders this week, in hopes of reversing the trend.
Hummingbirds are fun to watch and they also help to clean up some pesky insects.
While they feed on nectar with their long brush-like tongues, they also eat insects and spiders.
Nectar is their favorite food and the one that attracts them to backyard feeders and flower gardens.
Since few flowers are in bloom, humans must provide food for the early arrivals.
Commercial nectar mixes work fine, but the standard homemade nectar of one part white table sugar to four parts of water works best. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to boil for a few minutes to sterilize it. Once the mixture is cool enough, place it in your feeders.
Red dye is not necessary. In some cases it has been known to harm hummingbirds.
Leftover nectar can be stored in the refrigerator.
Fishing report
Many trout fishermen are putting aside their waders and fly rods for their walleye rods.
Few reports have come in from walleye fishermen, but the Fish and Boat Commission did note that one youngster caught a 25-inch walleye at the Youghiogheny Reservoir last week.
With most pre-fall, in-season stockings completed, trout fishermen can still do well on most area streams, which still hold fair a fair number of trout.
The youth fishing areas at Virgin Run Dam and Dunlap Creek Lake are still set aside for youngsters under 12.
Last Tuesday they were biting like bulldogs at the kids’ area at Dunlap. I can attest to that as my grandson caught his first trout, ever.
I’m looking forward to taking him out there again this week.
Forget about fishing yourself. Take your children or grandchildren. If the fish bite like they were last week, I guarantee everyone will have a ball.
Herald-Standard outdoors editor Rod Schoener can be reached on line at rschoener@heraldstandard.com