Each spring when I pull my hummingbird feeders out of storage in anticipation of the hummingbirds’ return, the red parts of the feeders appear to have faded to a bland, light pink. Everyone knows that bright red is the most alluring color to a hungry hummingbird, so I have devised a way to revive those faded feeder parts.
Using a shockingly bright red nail polish, I carefully paint a red flower around the feeding hole, being sure to avoid the hole and feeding area. To make doubly sure the hummingbirds notice the feeder, I hang a large red ribbon on it.
The combination never fails to catch the eye of early migrant hummingbirds. And the effort of reviving the feeders is one of my favorite early spring rituals.