Since a week ago when a storm barreled through and knocked down our feeder and pole, the evidence of birds has been scant. The homemade syrup mix was re-freshed on Saturday. Since then, only one bird has been seen feeding. The usual volume of activity in the nearby wild flower weeds has also been minimal. I have seen a couple while walking in the woods. The level of syrup in the feeder has not materially changed this week. It is true that the amount of observation time has diminished with earlier sunsets and the bothersome requirement to go to work. (I have converted to a three-day work week now, so more objective data collection is more likely.) Weather has changed; we are now at 50s overnight. At the same time, the activity of the bees seems to have increased.

I have read that we should have activity at least through Sept. and usually into October. Have they started an early annual migration? Is my syrup this week not any good?