365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Hummingbird Feeder
Day 177: The early-season hummingbird feeder is in bloom, attracting both Rufous and Anna's to its panicles of hot-pink flowers. They were drawn to my two bushes even before the buds had opened, hopeful of a sip of nectar as they probed the petals with their beaks. Although I keep glass feeders out year-'round (the Anna's hummers are here all winter), when the Red-flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is in bloom, the kitchen-brewed syrup is largely ignored. This shrub is native to the area, and produces a less-than-palatable dusty blue-grey fruit which goes untouched by any of my resident birds. I'm sure some critter must eat the berries, but I don't know who.
Labels:
hummingbirds,
nectar,
Red-flowering Currant,
Ribes sanguineum
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