Did you know that you could track the migration? Yearly, there is a group that posts on a map, where the hummers were seen and diligently marked the date and the location. That way anyone who is interested can do their little part in the drama that takes places every year as the Hummingbirds move from reasonably warm climates in the winter to the more northern climates for late spring and summer.
2016 Hummingbird Migration Map
Click on the link above and you can see exactly where the Hummers are moving and even add your location and date when you spot them at your neck of the woods.
The best way to have the Hummers appear in your yard is to make sure there is red coloring readily visible and a Hummingbird feeder close by as well. I take the time to get some red flags (not hard in Canada) and I put them up around my yard. Hummingbirds can see the color red from miles away and it usually means there is food close by. They assume the red is some of their favorite flowers and after flying for so many miles, these little dynamites need all the nectar their little bodies can hold.
Planting a Hummingbird Garden, will almost guarantee that you will be visited by these lovely little creatures at some point in the summer months. They love Cardinal Flower, Anise Sage, Bergamot or Monarda, Honeysuckle vine, Trumpet vine, Canna Lilies, Coral Bells, Four O'Clocks, Foxgloves, Hosta, Lupines and Yucca. There are a number of annual plants that they also like. Fuschia, petunias, Impatiens, Jewelweed (Balsam) and any number of Salvias species.
I can remember one year I had a row of Canna Lilies planted and I was standing outside by them, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw this little wee bird almost at my ear, beating it wings like crazy. I thought it was going to perch on my shoulder. I was so excited to be so close to this wee wonder of the sky.
Hummingbirds will thank you for planting the flowers that they love and having a source of water and a place to rest away from predators. If you can provide those things, you can be sure that they will come to your house and they will come back year after year.....
I have my favorite hummingbird feeder that I use, and it is filled with a mixture of plain white sugar mixed 1:4, One part sugar to 4 parts water. Fill the feeder and set it out where the red lid of the feeder is visible. I do not use food coloring or anything other sweeteners, just plain white sugar and water, changing the water in the feeders every two or three days....sugar water can spoil in as little as two days. So clean out the feeder every two to three days to keep the sugar water fresh. Monthly you should give the feeder a good cleaning making sure to rinse out the feeders with running water. Hummers do not like the taste of soap.....or you can use regular white vinegar to clean the feeders. Just remember to fill them, with a cup or more of sugar water and get them back up again as soon as possible.
I hope I have encouraged you to try and help our little wonders of the sky as they delight and dance for us all summer long.
A good friend of mine is a nature photographer who has had many of her pictures featured on Birds and Blooms Magazine. Carol has granted me permission to share with you a beautiful picture of a male Hummingbird, whose countenance I just love. While they are tiny, they are certainly very majestic and so appealing in color. I hope you enjoy this little one as much as I do.
And if you are interested I have also included a link to her site, so that you can fill your eyes with beautiful birds anytime you like...... http://carolledwards.com/ There is beauty in the world and it is there for us to see and enjoy. I hope you did and continue to do so.....Nature is free for all of us!
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