By Pat Dray
The Garden Spot
Pat Dray
I know that after the recent crazy winter weather, it’s hard to believe that the hummingbirds have already started their winter migration from South and Central America. Maybe they knew something we didn’t?
I’ve been keeping a garden journal for the past 10 years, so I do know that there is very little variation in their arrival time. In my yard, it’s always between April 27 and May 11.
Although the opinions of ornithologists vary as to what triggers the start of migration, it is generally thought that hummingbirds sense changes in daylight duration and in the abundance of flowers, nectar and insects. Instinct also plays a role in making the decision to migrate.
Whatever the cause, my journal tells me that it’s time to get the feeders ready to be set out in mid-April in anticipation of late April visitors. It’s a lot of fun to get up-to-date information on their migration at hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration.htm. You can even enter data on when you see your first hummer to help keep the map updated throughout the season.
We are most likely to see the ruby throated hummingbird. According to Hummingbird Central, they use tailwinds to save energy and can travel up to 23 miles in a day. Their hearts beat up to 1,260 times per minute and their wings flap between 15-80 times a second.
They obviously require a tremendous amount of energy to support this level of activity. They need food, water and shelter during and after their journey.
Besides consuming nectar, hummingbirds also eat small insects like aphids and spiders as a protein source. Their favorite color is red, which is why so many commercial feeders are colored red. I think the horizontal feeders are easier to maintain than the vertical ones, though both types are effective. You can even get one that has a built-in camera that syncs to your cell phone if you want some great video.
It’s simple to make your own hummingbird nectar by dissolving one part of sugar into four parts water. Either boil the water or heat it in the microwave until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then allow it to cool before filling the feeder. Do not add red food coloring, since some colorings have harmful chemicals.
Change the solution and clean the feeder at least once a week. Hummingbirds are very territorial, so if you want to hang more than one feeder, try to have them out of sight of each other.
Your birds will also need a water source. If your bird bath is too deep for them, put some flat rocks in the center so that they have a place to land. As with all bird baths, clean them often with a stiff brush to prevent bacterial growth.
Have some attractive plants nearby for shelter and nesting. You can also plant specific plants that will attract the hummers – generally flowers with bright colors and tubular shapes. They happen to love my early spring blooming viburnum. Other good choices are butterfly bush, lantana, milkweed and salvia. Many of these hummingbird favorites are also butterfly favorites to double your viewing and listening pleasure.
Pat Dray is a past president of the Garden Club of Orange and a master gardener.