Despite possible rain, open today from 3 to 6

There are quite a few hummingbirds around so we will open today from 3-6 (see lihummer.org for directions, info etc). We will also open tomorrow, from 9.30 to 12.30 and 3 to 6, but although the weather will be nicer, I predict there will be a drop in hummer numbers, because the wind will turn to the north. But I hope numbers will then pick up again over the next few days, as new arrivals come in from the north.

Interestingly, after checking the feeders after a 40 hour absence, many were completely empty, but a few were still fairly full. On checking, the sugar water in these feeders had been considerably diluted by all the rain, despite the fact that the "port-sideways" design on the dollar-feeders is more rain-resistant than the port-up types, such as "Hummzinger". The "Hummzinger" type is less affected by bees and yellowjackets, if you keep the fluid level low. I do not recommend using "bee-guards" on feeders: they seem to deter hummers as much as they do bees.

The image, of a male juvenile perching on a stalk of Salvia uliginosa (bog-sage) is by Dr Thomas Killip. Notice the red throat spots and the delicate feet. Notice also that, like all members of the mint family, the stem is square. The strong flavor of salvias and other mints deters deer.