Hummingbird Migration

What Will You Be Doing Next August When The Hummingbird Migration Happens?

If you REALLY love hummingbirds, then this short message about hummingbird migration is for you. You need to make your plans now for 2008 or beyond to head down to the Land Between the Lake National Recreation Center in far Western Kentucky, Aug. 3rd. - Aug. 5th for their annual event.

“Go to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Center in far Western Kentucky next Friday through Aug. 5 and you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of ruby-throated hummingbirds, an experience that may lead you to lifelong appreciation of this remarkable bird.

Hummingbird migration gets under way in August, as the birds travel to Mexico and Central America.

Aviva Yasgur, an interpreter at the Land Between the Lakes’ Woodlands Nature Station, near Golden Pond, Ky., and headquarters for the annual Hummingbird Festival, said:

“A large number of birds make the Nature Station one of their stops on their journey south. It is possible to see up to 200 hummingbirds in a single day at the festival.”

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Let me know what you think,

Catey

What Do Hummingbird Migration And You Being King or Queen For A Day Have In Common?

At first glance, you wouldn’t think anything. But, the truth is that because of the yearly hummingird migration, you have the chance to be king or queen for a day, with a flock of colorful hummingbirds as your loyal subjects.

You see the owners of Hontoon Landing in Florida are not only business people, but also hummingbird lovers it seems. They have constructed a hummingbird garden at their establishment to attract the swarms of colorful hummingbirds that call Florida their home from March through August. They’ve even built a “hummingbird throne” where visitors can get an up-close and personal view of the normally skittish creatures.

“They make this garden their home,” said April Stomberg, Hontoon Landing’s general manager. “And you can sit back and see them from like a foot away.”

The throne, which looks like an oversized lawnchair, is adorned with green foliage, vibrant plants and red hummingbird feeders. Visitors sit in the chair, while the ruby-throated hummingbirds flutter around the flowers and feeders. The wings move so fast that the tiny birds can hover in midair, and watchers can hear the sound of flapping wings, Stomberg said.

The garden offers the birds a few favorites like bottlebrush, vine cape honeysuckle and hibiscus for snacking. Additionally, hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so many of the items in the garden feature the vivid color.

The ruby-throated hummingbirds make the 600-mile migration from Central America to the east coast of the United States every year. However, the chance to live like royalty is running out. Most of the birds head back south in the third week of August. Until then the Hontoon Landing garden has turned into the annual home for the birds.”

Who says caring for the environment and making money don’t mix?

Until next time,

Catey

Hummingbird Migration - Bird Watchers Flock To See Their Return

The return of Hummingbirds from their Hummingbird Migration always creates quite a buzz. But Hummingbirds aren’t the only ones who travel a long distance. Hummingbird afficianado’s also travel a fair distance to get a chance to observe and have a “hands on” experience, something most of us only dream about.

If you love hummingbirds, you might want to consider a migration of your own next year and attend The annual Shawnee Audubon Society Hummingbird Festival in the Trail of Tears State Park in Union County, IL. And experience your own “hands on” approach to the popular hobby of hummingbird watching.

Here’s what some of this years attendees had to say:

“You can feel the heartbeat, his heartbeats at 1,200 beats per minute,” said Spurgeon.

“They’re fascinating, I’d read about them, but there’s a difference in reading about them and seeing them,” said Lyndel Brennan of Carmi, Illinois.

Before folks can see the tiny birds up close, they have to catch them. That’s accomplished by the use of a remote control bird cage.

“All you got to do is wait and then you push the big button for three seconds and the lid closes, and it’s in there,” said Spurgeon.

Next, Audubon Society members put teeny, tiny bands on each hummingbird’s leg. It’s a way to track the hummingbirds’ winter migration.

“Most people don’t realize they spend it down in Mexico on the Pacific side and they come back to the same place year after year,” said bird bander Vernon Kleen.

Some onlookers made near migrations themselves just to see these little birds up close.

“I talked to people who’ve driven two hours to be here, so that’s neat that people are that interested in these little critters,” said Shawnee Audubon Society member Terri Treacy.