Exploring Nature: They’re B
ack!
March is a month for new arrivals in our area.
In particular, it is the time when hummingbirds return after over-wintering in Mexico, Central and South America.
A very few folks are lucky to have hummingbirds year-round, but for most of us, March is the month these buzzing little birds return. I personally have had a blackchinned male hummer show up like clockwork the past five years on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. I think he may be Irish.
In case you’ve forgotten, the correct mixture for sugar water to put in your hummer feeder is one part sugar to four parts water. I like to zap my mixture for three minutes in the microwave before storing it in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
If you want to ensure hummers visit your place, it might help to have some flowering plants around to supplement your sugar water feeder.
Other avian arrivals this time of year include purple martins — they begin showing up in late February and continue arriving through April. If you’re a purple martin landlord, you know to have your houses ready and any starlings evicted so the martins can set up housekeeping.
I sure hope my blackchinned hummer puts in his regular appearance — it just wouldn’t be the same without his zigging and zagging outside my kitchen window. If I don’t have my sugar water up, I don’t think he’d ever forgive me!
