Migration is humming

Ruby Throat Hummingbird migration is to what I am referring . AND you can help make this long crucial trip a great success for these little birds.

juvenile Ruby Throat

Most North American R T hummingbirds migrate to Central and South America, (Mexico and Panama.) They often fly across the Gulf of Mexico and there are no stopping places along that trip. They often use the assistance of a northern wind rather than fight against a southerly wind. They do bulk up on body weight before the flight. Gathering in places along the southern US coastal towns, the hummers take advantage of the all important nectar.

Here in Kansas, we do not directly contribute to the bulking up factor before the gulf trip, We can, however, make the southerly migration much easier by providing fresh and clean hummingbird juice in the feeders we hang for our visual pleasure. Did you put up a feeder last year and not this year? The hummingbirds remember the exact spot of feeders from year to year and depend on our gracious assistance.

Here are important dates to remember;

Tax Day - April 15th is typically when the male hummers start to show (at least here in Kansas)

Labor Day - A couple of weeks before to a couple weeks after this holiday is when the major migration in Kansas is noticed.

If you mix your own liquid to feed these lovely birds, PLEASE do not use red dyes. JUST plain Sugar water is what they like, not the red water.

Feeder recipe: 1 cup sugar to 3 cups water. (keep it fresh)