In this month’s “Dear Ranger Rick” column we promised to give readers a recipe for hummingbird nectar—the liquid you pour into a hummingbird feeder.

Of course, if you live where it’s still wintertime or chilly in March, you won’t want to start feeding hummers yet. (There wouldn’t be any around, anyway!) But no matter where you live, if you see hummingbirds part of the year, print out or write down this recipe. Then, mix up a batch, whenever you start seeing these little colorful birds in your neighborhood.

HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR:

	Mix 1/2 cup of sugar with 1 cup of hot water.
	Stir until the sugar dissolves.
	Add 1 cup of cold water.

Sugar water spoils quickly in warm weather. Every few days, be sure to scrub your feeder clean, rinse it thoroughly, and refill it. You can keep extra sugar water in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.