HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

Hummingbirds have been spotted in various parts of the state, and have been spotted in the south even earlier.   The Ruby Throated Hummingbird can be seen in the Eastern United States, while the Rufous Hummingbird prefers the West and Southwest.    They first start returning form their winter homes in Mexico and Panama around the middle of March, where they can be seen in the warmer states, and they appear sometime between mid April and June further north, and in New England.

Last year, I thought for sure I saw one. I spotted the telltale beating of tiny wings in the garden, to only be disappointed to find a hummingbird moth instead. They are moths whose wing rhythm closely mimics the speed of the little jeweled birds. This year, I am going to stack my deck a bit, as I know that if you supply a hummingbird feeder, they are more likely to visit your yard. Having the right flowers helps, but of course, the flowers won’t be in bloom exactly when you can predict them.

There is more and more creativity in commercially available hummingbird feeders.  They are deviating from the idea of mimicking traditional seed feeders and heading towards the more artistic.   Hummingbirds require nectar, rather than seeds, so the receptacle needs to be different anyhow.

Traditionally, I have been told to leave sugar water in the feeders.  The little birds will drink it, but I have found it very unsuccessful.   In the feeders, like the “Garden Ballet” feeder, which looks a lot like a mobile, a nectar solution is used.  You can actually buy a nectar solution that comes from hibiscus flowers.   This seems to me the most natural food other than having the flowers available themselves, making them more likely to be attracted to them.   Once they find the nectar, they are sure to tell all of their friends about the spot in your garden.

The nectar is very economical, being that it is under ten dollars for a 2 liter bottle.  This is quite pricey compared to a bottle of soda, but considering that a hummingbird has a tiny belly and a much smaller appetite, the pretty red fluid will last quite awhile. If you are like me, it will last quite a long time, as the birds just won’t show up. Exercise a little patience. The first year that you supply a feeder, it may take a little while for the word to spread. Also, try to put the feeder out year after year, so the little birds will have something they can depend on.

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