Holy Criminy. I think I've been living in the country too long. Let's think about this together, Ms. Levine. The bird chose the spot for her nest because she KNEW it was appropriate to food source and shelter. These things are not accidental. As long as you don't REMOVE food sources, i.e. cut down flowering shrubs, the birds will be fine. It is just the sort of well intentioned, but ill thought out, actions such as putting out sugar water that cause birds and other critters to ignore their own instinctual patterns and cause themselves harm. This is so seemingly simple to me that I am shocked that I find myself stating it. Again. The Bryant Park Project bat fiasco should have been a lesson to all. Do no harm. Let them be. Watch them. Do not turn them into pets, carnival sideshows, entertainment tonight guests. They are wild creatures and it is their wildness we love, and the first thing we destroy.

Sent by Peggy | 11:15 PM ET | 03-24-2008

Yes, I'd put it out now. I lived in Arizona and we had them out almost all year.

Sent by Lee | 10:51 AM ET | 03-25-2008

I'm so happy for you Ketzel, they are amazing little creatures. The main problem with putting out sugar solutions is that they don't contain the other nutrients in nectar, and more importantly they can be a source of fungus infections if not kept scrupulously clean. These guys are good at finding their own food - and they also eat little insects too.

Sent by Julie B | 11:11 AM ET | 03-25-2008

I agree with putting out the sugar water, in my experience it has provided the mother some quick energy as she goes about gathering all the micro insects that the babies need. Many years ago I had the chance to help fledge a hummingbird. After a thunder storm destroyed the nest, the baby was on the ground and fully feathered. I rounded up a bird cage, put in a multi-branched limb and fed him/her sugar water from a syringe (stuck it over the beak and he drank form it) every 2 hrs for about 2 weeks. The cage was located by an open window so he had lots of exposure to the environment. After he demonstrated the ability to fly in the cage and seemed strong we released him to the back yard near a densly growing shrub. We watched him for some time and he seemed mobile and went to the feeder to supplement the nats he was catching. Will never know if he survived, but it was quite an experience!
Providing food/water to the wild bird population is something we have done for 30 years and I have never felt that it damaged the population. It is hard enough to survive in the urban environments and a little assistnace does not seem to have caused harm.
Lou Ann

Sent by Lou Ann Caywood | 11:55 AM ET | 03-25-2008

If you call our local Audubon they will give you the right sugar:water proportion. What sweet little bird heads - what size are they? are they size of a Hershey's Kiss or an almond, or smaller?

Sent by Kailla in Portland | 2:22 PM ET | 03-25-2008

I see lots of Anna's in Berkeley but no nests or babies thus far. Thanks for sharing your photos.

Sent by Georgia | 12:46 AM ET | 03-26-2008

Thanks so much Ketzel for posting these pics and your blog stories. I love them and they brighten my life. I'm in (the extreme drought area of) rural North Dakota and we don't even have green grass yet--soon, soon.

Sent by Jillian | 12:12 AM ET | 03-27-2008

What a delight! My little garden hummers went south in the Fall and I haven't seen them back yet (Houston, TX). If I put the feeder out too soon I get mildew and bees (yuk!). I was so excited to read your blog--almost like my birdies had returned. I find the little birds so fascinating and miss watching them. Thanks for the first glimpse of Spring!

Sent by Victoria Harris | 4:01 PM ET | 03-28-2008

Wow--what a fantastic series you have going here with these hummers. I've been eagerly tracing the ruby-throated migration, now only one state away from me, and would also feel gracious and honored to have such a nest in my young garden. What great shots!

Sent by Benjamin in Nebraska | 1:45 PM ET | 03-29-2008

Hi Ketzel~I've been a bit out of touch with tracking your hummer adventure, and most curious to hear about the births, feeding and other observations. I must agree with the others who have cautioned you against sugar water. Creatures do choose their nesting habitat based upon the availability of food sources, and indeed, nectar contains the nutrients they need. Mother Nature has supported us all for eons, and well-meaning humans can sometimes interfere...with consequenses as mentioned in other postings. You are doing a fabulous job journaling with all of us on an amazingly special event of nature. Sit back and KNOW that all is as it needs to be. Mama instinctively knew to choose your garden and your tree as the best of worlds for her little darlings. Your role is to share it with the world! Thanks so much.

Sent by Christina | 6:43 PM ET | 03-31-2008