The buzz is growing around our newest seasonal arrivals, and that oh-so-familiar sound is beginning to fill the mountain air! Nearly a month ago saw our first report of a sighting in the Peak to Peak region of the broad-tailed hummingbird and the feeders are starting to pop up everywhere. The report came in on April 12 from local resident Barb Panneton on the Nederland Area Nature group on Facebook (a GREAT group for sharing photos and information regarding all things nature in the Peak to Peak region, hosted by Jill Dreves of the Wild Bear Nature Center).

Those who know me well know that my own feeders came out of storage immediately. They were washed and filled with the first small batch of that sweet delight the birds love so well (I have often been titled Slave to the Birds). It took a couple weeks at my location but I finally caught the buzz of some townies, and I am looking forward to a great season. For many of you who have been enjoying these Life in Nature articles, this may be a bit redundant of last year’s similar article, but the information bears repeating for those new to reading as well as new to an area with an abundant number of the winged delights. If you happen to enjoy feeding these birds, here are a few tips necessary for healthy and responsible enjoyment of their aerial antics.

First and foremost is the cleanliness of the feeders themselves. Prior to the first batch, one should thoroughly clean out the feeder after a long winter in storage to remove any dirt as well as possible mold from old syrup. Cleanings should be repeated when any new batch of syrup is put out (ideally once every five - seven days), as otherwise small patches of a black mold will begin to grow in the feeders. This mold causes a fungal infection on the bird’s tongue, making it swell up to a degree that the bird will no longer be able to retract it, ending up with their demise, not being able to eat or drink.

Of equal importance to the bird’s health is the syrup itself. This should be made with a 4:1 ratio of four parts water to one part refined sugar. I say refined specifically, as other sugars and sweeteners may either not be enjoyed or may even be harmful to the birds. Sugar in a natural state tends to have a high iron content which is largely removed in the refining process. This high content can build up in the liver of such a small bird and cause illness and death. As mentioned above, the syrup should also be changed every five - seven days, not only to clean the feeders, but also to avoid fermentation in the sun. Also, never use packaged food products, as most are harmful to the birds.

If you prefer to add hummingbird attractants, or don’t like the idea of feeding the birds sugar syrup and prefer a more natural approach, there are a number of flowers one can purchase to help bring them to your home. I recently put together a few hanging pots with a mixed variety of Bee Balm, Petunias, Salvias and Nasturtiums in hopes they are drawn in by the color and natural food, especially when we are still a bit far out from an abundance of natural blooms.

They also enjoy Columbines and many other native wildflowers, as one key aspect of a flower attractant is their enjoyment of blossoms that have a longer “tube” shape. They have adapted to enjoyment of these flowers because they winter in places that have a lot of feeding competitors, and tubular flowers provide them access to nectar with their elongated bills and tongues that other competitors can’t reach. Being early season, flowers should be brought in at night to avoid lingering frosts.

Speaking of nighttime care, the feeders should also be brought inside nightly to prevent attracting other animals looking for a tasty treat. All manner of animals will enjoy the sweet syrup, and it is helpful to not “call them in” as well. Bears are your largest concern, literally and figuratively, but raccoons are also a nighttime threat. If you wake up to an empty feeder and a sticky ground or deck underneath, it is likely these masked bandits came by to tip out the ambrosia and lap it up from below.

I’ve also enjoyed watching Downy woodpeckers come to feed, one in particular who found great enjoyment in swooping in and latching on to a feeder perch upside down, sending it spinning around as the bird craned its neck up and around to the feeding hole. Whether you actively feed, or simply enjoy their presence around your home and garden, welcome to a safe and healthy hummingseason 2023!

For additional information about James DeWalt Photography, check out https://jamesdewaltphotography.com.