Sure was nice; even a lightning strike near the house, though startling, did not change my enthusiasm for the needed rain. I registered 0.57 in 3 storms; which soaked right away in the spongy dry ground. The rain gave a nice outdoor earthy aroma. The hummingbirds are plentiful this summer after a very slow start; didn’t see many until mid-May; had 25-30 on 2 feeders Monday morning. Lots of juveniles too. I think these poor little guys were so miserable from the lack of rain which causes practically no flowers to bloom, that the actually re-hydrated themselves in typical hummer fashion of battling between drinks. What a riot watching them enjoy the nectar and chase each other. Hand feeding would have been easy with the bold little birds.
The deer seem better after the rain. Iv’e been putting a little corn out for them now and them and they really seem to enjoy and need it. The fawns are still trying to nurse to what seems an empty” mom. I only see 2 fawns this year; last year I recall we had 4-5. I think the hot and dry weather took its toll on the deer herd also.
Please put fresh cool water out in a bowl daily until the birds get re-hydrated. This rain helped and there is more coming later this week; so says the forecast and this will help out.
I put out some fresh water in a ceramic bowl last Wednesday and it has been visited daily by bluebirds, blue grosbeaks, carolina wrens, cardinals, finches, and many more. The deer drink it dry every evening.
deer fleeing on Monday
Hummingbirds on Sunday; just a few here; maybe 35 total by Monday morning,
hummers
Leave a Reply