Date: 04/03/2016

Number: 1

At 5:25 PM (CST) I had just finished washing our Perkey Pet Large Hummingbird feeder that has the yellow flowers on it & refilled it with fresh Sugar Solution. I had "retired It" but something made me put that one back out tonight. He must have been watching me. I also cleaned & refreshed our new Apsects Humm-Blossom Feeder right near that one. It has been hanging since March 18th with no seen activity ( I was concerned that they did not know how to feed from it). Was washing my hands near kitchen window & looked up & there he was. Finally! This is the longest wait. 6 days later than last year. He took his time & took a long drink. I could not tell if he was a Ruby-Throat or Black-Chinn so I am entering this 1st report as Other Species. But I really think it could have been a Black- Chinn. I thought I heard the sound of the "Whirl of Wings" about 3 days ago but would not enter it as was not sure. He flew back towards the Aspects Feeder & Hovered over it but he did not know how to fed from it yet(I have left the Bee Guards off for now). He only stay a second at that feeder & then flew away. I watched until it got dark(around 7:15 PM). Did not see him again. Will watch in the early A.M. to see if I can tell which Species it is. Glad they are back. Just hope he learns how to use the Aspects Feeders as I have 3 of them ready for or if & when the Honey Bees swarm after them like they did my other feeders last fall when the flowers were getting scarce. The Honey Bees are out & they like my homemade Peanut Butter Suet. Sunny today at 88 Degrees but felt like 95 because our concrete pad really heats up our backyard. Salvia plants are the only plants we have blooming. Just bought 2 more Salvia's yesterday at Local Nursery called "Lipstick" & they are blooming. I was told they could take the Texas heat & that their color would stay & not fade out to white as our others do in the really hot months. You really have to be a committed Hummingbird Watcher here in Texas with the Sugar Solution or you may as well not do it at all. The Texas heat is a lot warmer than North Carolina. I have to change my Sugar Solution three times a day as our temps. will soar at least 10 Degrees more than the Weather says it is. Record in our backyard was 118-120 Degrees in the month of August. I almost took the feeder's down as I have to walk up & down steps every time I go out & I have arthritis in both knee's, both ankles & both feet. There were days my husband had to take them out. So glad they are back. The Hummer looked good. Nice size, feathers in great shape. He may have been here for awhile & just Scouting out the neighborhood as I have seen many people hanging up Hummingbird Feeders. I just wished they would not use the Red dye as it is not necessary & may even be harmful to these tiny birds. Sorry about the long post. My other ones will be shorter.

Denton, TX

Latitude: 33.2 Longitude: -97.1

Observed by: Bonnie
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