West Seattle Wednesday: Today/tonight’s highlights, and a weather-related request

(Photo by Mary Burki – hummingbirds crowding a feeder)

First, the request, since we’re still in wintry weather and more is expected: If you cancel/postpone an event, please let us know – even if it’s not on our calendar! – so we can help get the word out. Tens of thousands of West Seattleites are checking WSB for weather-related information, as it’s a central, visible-to-all, no-membership-required hub. Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/call our 24/7 hotline – 206-293-6302 – thanks!

Now, from our calendar (where you’ll find the full list), three notes for today/tonight:

LUNAR NEW YEAR @ HIAWATHA: 2:30 pm tweens/teens party at Hiawatha Community Center. (2700 California SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm, upstairs at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. Scheduled guests are Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold; see the agenda here. All welcome. (4217 SW Oregon)

TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: 7 pm at Whisky West (WSB sponsor), no cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)

11 Replies to "West Seattle Wednesday: Today/tonight's highlights, and a weather-related request"

  • Alberto February 6, 2019 (4:15 pm)

    How come those hummingbirds seem to get along so well.  The ones that come to our feeders keep chasing away one another.  I’d be a miracle to see several of them perched on the feeder at the same time.

    • J February 6, 2019 (5:53 pm)

      Same here, was wondering if the birds at my feeder were just jerks.

      • Nancy February 6, 2019 (6:12 pm)

        I hope Mary Burki sees these comments and shares her secret!

  • Jeannie February 6, 2019 (4:36 pm)

    Wonderful, heartwarming photo! Thank you for helping these little birds.

  • waikikigirl February 6, 2019 (6:45 pm)

    Our feeder usually has a dominate hummer too but a few times we have had up to 12 at a time feeding. I guess it just depends on their mood! LOL!!!

  • Graciano February 6, 2019 (6:57 pm)

    Since it’s freezing out…, Bring your feeders in at night and put them back out about sunrise. Hard for them to drink frozen syrup.

  • J February 6, 2019 (8:22 pm)

    Second this advice!

  • John Smith February 6, 2019 (9:47 pm)

    I use a C-clamp to clamp a work light (with a 100 watt outdoor old-fashioned incandescent light bulb) to the top of a ladder, and I aim the light straight up at the bottom of the feeder, just an inch or two away. The feeder helps keep falling snow from the bulb, and the bulb keeps the sugar water from freezing. I noticed a hummingbird feeding in the dark one time.

    • John Smith February 6, 2019 (11:35 pm)

      1 part sugar to 4 parts water (heated to a boil, then cooled, it makes a “simple syrup”) is the recipe for hummingbird food, and the 1:4 simple syrup can handle one or two degrees below the freezing temperature for water (IOW, down to 31 or 30 degrees F). With the setup I described above (in the post to which I am replying), the simple syrup is actually warm, which is OK, but feel the base of the feeder to make sure it doesn’t get hot… dunno if hot simple syrup would hurt/damage a hummingbird’s tongue. Since the simple syrup is warm, keep an eye on it because you don’t want it to get mold/whatever in it.I like the saucer-shaped feeders with a clear plastic base/reservoir (I found them at Wild Birds Unlimited); it’s easy to monitor the simple syrup and the feeder is easy to wash. It’s good to have an extra feeder so you can swap in a fresh feeder and your little friends only have to wait a few seconds. :)

  • anonyme February 7, 2019 (6:11 am)

    I’ve also made sure that there was thawed water for other birds (and critters) to drink as well.  Bringing the hummer feeder in at night is a good idea, hadn’t thought of that.  Then out again at dawn, ‘cuz that’s when the visitors arrive.

  • Dennis February 7, 2019 (8:28 am)

    Or, leave the feeder out. In the morning, if it’s frozen, bring it in, remove any metal parts (I use the one described above from WBU) and pop it in the microwave for a minute or so. Check to be sure it’s only warm and return it to the waiting birds. (After which I’d wash the microwave’s glass turntable.) Check every few hours to see if it refreezes.This morning, the thermometer said 25, but the feeder was fine and had a resident hummer. Probably been there all night, guarding his giant flower.

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