I
blogged about hummingbirds last year (check out Hummingbirds Are Coming ~April
2012). This year I’d like to add more involvement for myself to the experience
& help out their survival at the same time. Check out the link below:
Audubon is now helping the hummers by
getting us involved at home. The project is called Hummingbirds @ Home. It is
the first all-digital mobile citizen science network. The at-home website &
app availability for smart phones will make it fun & easy to keep track of
the hummingbirds you see. You will be collecting valuable data that helps
Audubon in their efforts to protect them. I visited & (just go to Sign Up)
signed on for this. It looks like it will be easy to navigate your info &
check out info for your area. The initial photo is worth clicking on this link!
To get started all you need is a feeder
& some sugar water. You can make your own by boiling water & mixing one
part sugar to four parts water. Store what you don’t use in the fridge. No need
to fill your feeder to the top at first. See how much they drink first. With
the hot summer you need to clean & refill every few days. Hang your feeder
at a window where you can really enjoy the antics! As for plants in your
garden, I have had the most success attracting these gems with bee balm, coral
bells, honeysuckle, trumpet vine & various other red flowers. They are
attracted to the color red, but there is no need to color your sugar water. Be
patient, they will come!
So get your feeders ready & let the
flying flower fun begin!
This
video was filmed by my Teenage Tester a few years back. We were both standing
inches from the feeder. They were so active that evening I knew it was time for
her to get “up close & personal” with them. They are very territorial &
feed one at a time here. In the video you can hear their soft, little squeeks.
PS.
I will be on holiday next week (woo hoo) & would love you to check out some
of last year’s Spring garden blogs from Jan-April while I’m gone. The Mediterranean
Heather is in stores now for you to buy – it’s wonderful. Cool weather
Vegetables, Early Spring Flowering Trees & Flowering Ground Covers for
Spring all discuss items you can find right now. Happy Spring planting!
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