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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper June 2015 Page 31
by Chris O’Connor
mountain talk Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Photos by Chris O’Connor
Our Wee Feathered Friends
Some weeks ago, I was lucky Ants will munch hummingbird
enough to witness a male ruby- eggs, but large insects like the Many experts also advise
throated hummingbird performing praying mantis are known to keeping garage doors closed,
a “shuttle flight” right outside lurk near feeders and flowers and obviously making sure no
of my window, which is one ambush hummingbirds while they hummingbirds are in there
courtship display. The male flies feed. Mantids are considered a beforehand.
in a horizontal figure eight, like beneficial insect, so if one is found For those that choose to
the symbol for infinity, to charm a lying in wait at a feeder or in a increase the ruby-throats
breeding-age female hummingbird. flower garden, wear gloves and plant nectar diet via nectar
One year I was late putting up relocate it. feeders should consider it
the feeders. Some motion outside the A risk/reward problem for a responsibility not to be taken
kitchen window caught my eye. It hummingbirds is that they use bits lightly. Spoiled nectar that is cloudy, careful attention to the feeding
was a male hummer, hovering as if of sticky spider webs to construct fermented, contaminated, or an ports) is an important step that’s
to say, “Where’s the feeder?” which their nests. Common garden spiders, incorrect recipe can and will kill the much simplified by changing from
may evidence a hummingbird’s such as the black and yellow orb gorgeous, iridescent flying creatures. the typical feeders commonly
memory of its feeding grounds from weavers, can easily prey on a The only safe sweetener that available at many stores to the top-
the previous year. Ever after, I’ve hummingbird that struggles in its mimics natural plant nectar to lidded flat feeders.
had feeders up in early April for web when it’s merely striving to find fill hummingbird feeders is pure Cleaning the widely-marketed
migrants passing through or for the nest material. granulated sugar. The typical recipe, feeders proved difficult getting at
returning birds. Naturally occurring, passive and the one to which I adhere, is all the nooks and crannies. I now
Male ruby-throated threats are plentiful as well. one cup fluoride-free water (boiled) use the flat dish-style feeders (size
hummingbirds return first from Cockleburs and thistle can to one-quarter cup sugar or a ratio of a salad plate), with an eight-or-
their wintering grounds to establish be problematic by trapping of 4:1—four parts water to one part more ounce capacity, to even smaller
their territory and stake out their hummingbirds. And when granulated sugar. feeders that hold a mere four ounces
potential breeding grounds. Over the hummingbirds go to sticky tree sap I make sufficient solution to fill of sugar water.
years, I’ve planted perennial plants at a yellow-bellied sapsucker bird’s all feeders and store the remainder Soon, the flowers and feeders
so that hummingbirds will have “well,” ostensibly for the bugs for up to a week in the refrigerator. will be teeming with adult females,
some nectar-producing plants if I’m drawn there or the sap itself (which I do not use commercially prepared when their offspring fledge and leave
unable to fill the feeders. supplies nutrients, including amino hummingbird food or anything with the nest. It is said that the young
One can always do more to acids), they can find themselves red dye. Red dye is unnecessary as a outweigh their mothers when they
help augment the survival of the inextricably stuck there. means to attract hummingbirds, for no longer need care. The only way I
ruby-throats—which are wonderful Man-made threats to most feeders sport some red coloring can immediately tell the young from
pollinators—as well as their mates hummingbirds are somewhat under in their construction. Many believe the adult birds is the length of their
and young, so I delved a bit deeper our control. As with all living red dye is extremely harmful to bills, and the compact and plump
into their lives, which led me to things, habitat loss is a concern. hummingbirds. wee birdies that visit the feeders.
learn about some constant threats to Use of pesticides and insecticides I clean/re-fill feeders every three So it’s time to trot out my back-
their survival. can greatly lessen or eradicate tiny days. In extremely hot weather, I up feeders for the return of the thin,
Predators are a greater concern insects that the hummingbirds need offer the birds fresh sugar solution weary mother hummingbirds...and
for hummingbirds than I imagined. for protein. daily. Cleaning the feeders (with their surviving offspring.
Like many others, I have long One problem that’s repeated
thought that because of their speed every season is a hummingbird flying
and maneuverability on the wing, through a door that was left ajar.
they were typically safer than many I’ve had hummingbirds fluttering WE FIX IT ALL... INCLUDING...
other birds. However, this is not the around on our screened front porch,
case. which is a dual hazard, lest the bird CRAIG’S Mowers • Chain Saws • Tillers
Crows, blue jays, and hawks will in a frantic attempt to escape gets Generators • Snow Blowers
kill them. Arboreal snakes will kill its bill stuck in the screen. If left Mower & Marine Boats • Pontoons • Trailers
them. Fish such as the largemouth undiscovered, a hummingbird may Inboards & Outboards
bass will snag them when the tiny sustain considerable damage to its Service
birds fly low over water. bill and/or quickly starve to death.
Creatures that my family Window screens carry the same We have a variety of Get your
recently evicted and relocated threat for a bird that has such a Crab &
from our backyard for the clear miniscule bill. fishing & crabbing Fishing
and present danger they pose to All birds suffer huge losses supplies! License
the hummingbirds were bullfrogs, from collisions with windows, and Here!
lizards, and dragonflies. Our hummingbirds are no exception. Check ‘em out!
backyard pond was drained and Some ways to lessen mortality is
removed, and the vacant pond’s hole to affix decals to the glass or draw
almost fully backfilled. curtains or shades. 14736 A MUD COLLEGE ROAD • THURMONT, MD 21788 • 301-271-2196
by Chris O’Connor
mountain talk Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Photos by Chris O’Connor
Our Wee Feathered Friends
Some weeks ago, I was lucky Ants will munch hummingbird
enough to witness a male ruby- eggs, but large insects like the Many experts also advise
throated hummingbird performing praying mantis are known to keeping garage doors closed,
a “shuttle flight” right outside lurk near feeders and flowers and obviously making sure no
of my window, which is one ambush hummingbirds while they hummingbirds are in there
courtship display. The male flies feed. Mantids are considered a beforehand.
in a horizontal figure eight, like beneficial insect, so if one is found For those that choose to
the symbol for infinity, to charm a lying in wait at a feeder or in a increase the ruby-throats
breeding-age female hummingbird. flower garden, wear gloves and plant nectar diet via nectar
One year I was late putting up relocate it. feeders should consider it
the feeders. Some motion outside the A risk/reward problem for a responsibility not to be taken
kitchen window caught my eye. It hummingbirds is that they use bits lightly. Spoiled nectar that is cloudy, careful attention to the feeding
was a male hummer, hovering as if of sticky spider webs to construct fermented, contaminated, or an ports) is an important step that’s
to say, “Where’s the feeder?” which their nests. Common garden spiders, incorrect recipe can and will kill the much simplified by changing from
may evidence a hummingbird’s such as the black and yellow orb gorgeous, iridescent flying creatures. the typical feeders commonly
memory of its feeding grounds from weavers, can easily prey on a The only safe sweetener that available at many stores to the top-
the previous year. Ever after, I’ve hummingbird that struggles in its mimics natural plant nectar to lidded flat feeders.
had feeders up in early April for web when it’s merely striving to find fill hummingbird feeders is pure Cleaning the widely-marketed
migrants passing through or for the nest material. granulated sugar. The typical recipe, feeders proved difficult getting at
returning birds. Naturally occurring, passive and the one to which I adhere, is all the nooks and crannies. I now
Male ruby-throated threats are plentiful as well. one cup fluoride-free water (boiled) use the flat dish-style feeders (size
hummingbirds return first from Cockleburs and thistle can to one-quarter cup sugar or a ratio of a salad plate), with an eight-or-
their wintering grounds to establish be problematic by trapping of 4:1—four parts water to one part more ounce capacity, to even smaller
their territory and stake out their hummingbirds. And when granulated sugar. feeders that hold a mere four ounces
potential breeding grounds. Over the hummingbirds go to sticky tree sap I make sufficient solution to fill of sugar water.
years, I’ve planted perennial plants at a yellow-bellied sapsucker bird’s all feeders and store the remainder Soon, the flowers and feeders
so that hummingbirds will have “well,” ostensibly for the bugs for up to a week in the refrigerator. will be teeming with adult females,
some nectar-producing plants if I’m drawn there or the sap itself (which I do not use commercially prepared when their offspring fledge and leave
unable to fill the feeders. supplies nutrients, including amino hummingbird food or anything with the nest. It is said that the young
One can always do more to acids), they can find themselves red dye. Red dye is unnecessary as a outweigh their mothers when they
help augment the survival of the inextricably stuck there. means to attract hummingbirds, for no longer need care. The only way I
ruby-throats—which are wonderful Man-made threats to most feeders sport some red coloring can immediately tell the young from
pollinators—as well as their mates hummingbirds are somewhat under in their construction. Many believe the adult birds is the length of their
and young, so I delved a bit deeper our control. As with all living red dye is extremely harmful to bills, and the compact and plump
into their lives, which led me to things, habitat loss is a concern. hummingbirds. wee birdies that visit the feeders.
learn about some constant threats to Use of pesticides and insecticides I clean/re-fill feeders every three So it’s time to trot out my back-
their survival. can greatly lessen or eradicate tiny days. In extremely hot weather, I up feeders for the return of the thin,
Predators are a greater concern insects that the hummingbirds need offer the birds fresh sugar solution weary mother hummingbirds...and
for hummingbirds than I imagined. for protein. daily. Cleaning the feeders (with their surviving offspring.
Like many others, I have long One problem that’s repeated
thought that because of their speed every season is a hummingbird flying
and maneuverability on the wing, through a door that was left ajar.
they were typically safer than many I’ve had hummingbirds fluttering WE FIX IT ALL... INCLUDING...
other birds. However, this is not the around on our screened front porch,
case. which is a dual hazard, lest the bird CRAIG’S Mowers • Chain Saws • Tillers
Crows, blue jays, and hawks will in a frantic attempt to escape gets Generators • Snow Blowers
kill them. Arboreal snakes will kill its bill stuck in the screen. If left Mower & Marine Boats • Pontoons • Trailers
them. Fish such as the largemouth undiscovered, a hummingbird may Inboards & Outboards
bass will snag them when the tiny sustain considerable damage to its Service
birds fly low over water. bill and/or quickly starve to death.
Creatures that my family Window screens carry the same We have a variety of Get your
recently evicted and relocated threat for a bird that has such a Crab &
from our backyard for the clear miniscule bill. fishing & crabbing Fishing
and present danger they pose to All birds suffer huge losses supplies! License
the hummingbirds were bullfrogs, from collisions with windows, and Here!
lizards, and dragonflies. Our hummingbirds are no exception. Check ‘em out!
backyard pond was drained and Some ways to lessen mortality is
removed, and the vacant pond’s hole to affix decals to the glass or draw
almost fully backfilled. curtains or shades. 14736 A MUD COLLEGE ROAD • THURMONT, MD 21788 • 301-271-2196
