Some hummers still in area

Posted Saturday, October 10, 2009, at 1:26 PM

This is what my feeders look like during the height of the hummingbird season. I think this photo was taken in June or July of last year.

Today I have it on my list to bring in the hummingbird feeders and clean them up for the winter, so imagine my surprise when I looked out my living room window and saw one of the tiny birds, drinking out of a feeder that hadn't had new nectar put in it for weeks!

I had no idea that some of the little birds could still be traveling through this area on their way south, but I guess it's true. I've read that we shouldn't be in a hurry to bring in our feeders, because (contrary to some beliefs) the feeders do not cause the hummingbirds to postpone their trip south.

On the contrary, the energetic little birds need extra nourishment for their long trip to South America, so it's actually beneficial for us to continue feeding them until late.

A few minutes ago, I fixed up one cup of the nectar (1/4 c. sugar to 1 cup water), warmed it on the stove so it would dissolve, and put it out in the feeder for any other little birds which might drop by.

I will miss them this winter, but like flowers and green trees, we can't keep them with us all year. We'll appreciate them all the more next spring, after we've survived what I hope and pray is a mild winter! (Please, Lord, not another one like the last two!!!)

From the cool and suddenly sunny hills of Tillman, Mo., this is your rural reporter Madeline, enjoying an autumn day.

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I keep my hummingbird feeders up until the last of October. I think I read online that we're supposed to do that because there are always a few stragglers coming through our area. I had one last week!

-- Posted by lovebooks on Sun, Oct 11, 2009, at 12:38 PM

While I was outside this afternoon, hunting persimmons to share with my dogs, I noticed that the red berries are thick on the dogwood trees. One year my husband and I watched a whole flock of robins working over a dogwood tree, eating the berries. I've never seen so many robins in one place! I haven't seen the sight again since that time.

I love this time of year!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, at 6:31 PM

It's nice to see the little fellas still flitting around looking for a last precious sip of nectar. My yard was filled with robins this early morning (Sat), I felt as if it was spring coming early. We can only hope for a mild winter and early spring. Oh well, that's what dreams are made of.

-- Posted by Dexterite1 on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, at 4:45 PM

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Madeline DeJournett

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Madeline DeJournett is the Advance writer for the North Stoddard Countian. A retired high school English/history teacher, she spent 32 years teaching in 5 schools in Missouri and Alaska. These days, she lives quietly with a menagerie of wild and domestic animals on 52 secluded acres in the remote Tillman hills south of Advance. She can be contacted at advancensc@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 573-722-5322.

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