Birdfeeders

The Orioles are now working their way north from their winter locations in Central and South America. Their arrival in our backyard is always a highlight of spring. Last year I spotted the first Oriole at our Oriole bird feeder on March 23, so I got out the oriole feeder this last weekend, cleaned it up, filled it and have it hanging off the deck. Now I am anxiously watching for the first beautiful Oriole. I know it could be a week or two before they get here, but now I am ready! While I was at it, I also gave the hummingbird feeder a good scrub and filled it with fresh nectar as well. We have a large sugar bowl on the counter with a quarter cup scoop in it, so making nectar is a snap. I just use a 2 cup measuring cup, fill it with clean water and add 2 scoops of sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and fill the oriole bird feeder or the hummingbird feeder. I find 2 cups of nectar is a good amount. It lasts for a few days, but not so long that mold is encouraged to grow.