RECIPE FOR HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR

Pour four cups of hot tap water into a large pot or pan (glass, enamel, or stainless steel).

Add one cup of table sugar (DO NOT use honey, artificial sweeteners, or other sugar substitutes).

Stir until all sugar has dissolved.

Cover the pan, place on a hot burner, and bring the mix to a rolling boil for 1-2 minutes; be careful not to let water evaporate (if you do, the mix can become too concentrated).

Let mix cool and pour into in well-cleaned feeders.

Boiling, which retards mold growth, is not necessary if your hummingbirds are draining the feeders within three days.

Early in the season red food coloring can be added (let cool first!) but is unnecessary, especially after birds have found the feeders; besides, modern hummingbird feeders all have red plastic bases and yellow flowers that the birds can easily see.

Store excess mix in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks (check for fermentation or mold if longer than 2 weeks); let mix warm to room temperature before filling feeders.