Bees and butterflies get all the glory in the pollinator world, but did you know that the Hummingbird is a pollinator too?
The rapid 80 beats per minute hum of the bird's wings give it its iconic name. With iridescent feathers, cheerful chirps, and dazzling dance of color they are a documented garden favorite dating all the way back to Christopher Columbus!
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There are over 300 species of Hummingbirds.
In Maryland, we are preparing to welcome home our Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds who have overwintered in Central Mexico and are now returning home to rear this year's batch of babes.
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Knowing when to be ready for these guys in our family is like preparing for the arrival of a celebrity. Thanks to social media and citizen scientists we now know right about when to expect them within days each year. The website Journey North provides a platform for individuals to report sitings, and when we checked in today they've been spotted 30 minutes from here!!!!! Time to get those feeders out.
It's true that there are many plants that these beauties can dine one, but when we are conscious and put forth the effort to save one pollinator our efforts support the entire community of pollinators as well! So naturally, we like to provide a little extra food for these guys. Feeders can be elaborate, or a simple Dollar Tree feeders ( order here) for $1!!
Red dye are not necessary....let me say that again for the back of the class.... NO RED DYE!
Although no clear scientific evidence has been found that Red Dye is harmful to our friends ( read more here) it is suggested that in the quantity that the Hummingbird takes in each day it equates to 17 times the amount of dye the FDA recommends for humans...
The best and safest recipe for your humming friends is:
1 Cup White Sugar
4 Cups Hot Water
* Allow sugar to dissolve and then cool and fill feeders.
1 Cup White Sugar
4 Cups Hot Water
* Allow sugar to dissolve and then cool and fill feeders.
Once you mix up a batch fill your feeders and wait for the show!
Feeding Hummingbirds will help occupy my time between yard naps
until my beautiful Monarchs arrive!
~AVR
