Megan's Nature Nook
Nature Notes, Phenology, Photography, Fun Facts, Trips, Maybe Even a Bad Joke or Two... and More!
The Hummingbirds are back! The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (the only species of Hummingbird in Minnesota) have completed their long migration and made it back to Minnesota for the summer! Many people love to attract these little birds to their yards and feeders and enjoy watching them buzz about. Here are some tips and tricks for attracting hummer to, and maintaining your hummingbird feeders. Feeders There are many different types of hummingbird feeders on the market, and sometimes it can be hard to know which would be best.
The feeder I have is a mason jar with a bottom made of two parts that come apart, making clean up a breeze. The feeder is a Perky-Pet® Red Mason Jar Glass Hummingbird Feeder. Nectar Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers for energy and will eat insects for protein. They will catch insects out of the air or pull them from spider webs. You can make a simple sugar water solution that is similar to nectar to attract the hummers to your feeder. Sugar Water 1 Part Sugar 4 Parts Water No red dye is needed! Hummingbirds will find your feeder if it has red on it, so there is no need to add red dye; the dye may be harmful to them. If your feeder does not have red on it, try tying a red ribbon or piece of cloth to get their attention. For small batches, combine water and sugar and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. If you are wanting to make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for quick access, heat water to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Let cool before putting out for the hummingbirds. Boiling the sugar water is not necessary, but it will last longer if you boil it. Then you can make a larger batch and store the extra in the refrigerator for about a week. Maintenance Maintaining a clean feeder is important for the health of your hummingbirds. Molds and bacteria can easily grow in the sugar water.
Pests Ants, bees, and wasps are attracted to sugar water. Ants can get into the sugar water and cause it to go bad, while bees and wasps may fight the hummingbirds for it. Ants Ants will climb posts and poles to get to the sugar water. Some suggest greasing poles or making a ring of Vaseline to stop the ants. It may work for ants, but can get on the feathers of the hummingbirds and affect their flight and waterproofing, so do not use that method! Instead, I use an ant moat. An ant moat is a small container to hold water to deter the ants from getting to your feeder. You can purchase ant moats, or easily make your own. I made mine following the directions from The Painted Hinge. Click here for directions on how to make one. Bees & Wasps
Bees and wasps are attracted to feeders that are dripping or splashing out sugar water. Avoid feeders that have tubes that drip, and ones that have yellow parts, because they may actually attract bees and wasps. When to Have Feeders Out Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Minnesota the first part of May. Most people say to have your feeders out by Mother’s Day, but I place mine out even sooner. Depending on weather, the last week in April or first week in May. Then you will for sure be ready for that first hungry hummer that arrives in your yard. You should keep your feeders up into the fall until you go a few weeks without seeing one. Your resident hummingbirds may leave, but keep it out until the hummingbirds from farther north have migrated through. They will appreciate the opportunity to fuel up before their long journey south! I hope you will be able to attract many hummingbirds to your yard and enjoy watching them throughout the summer! Enjoy their chattering and buzzing about!
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Spring has finally sprung! Grass is greening up, trees are budding, and Scarlet Cup Fungus is among us! Scarlet Cup Fungus (Sarcoscypha austriaca), also called Scarlet Elf Cup Fungus, is one of the first fungi to appear, adding a splash of color to the forest floor. Scarlet Cup can be found when the spring ephemeral flowers begin to bloom. It is one of the earliest fungi to appear and can be seen April through June. Look for it in hardwood forests on the ground mixed in with the leaf litter. It grows on dead wood such as twigs and branches that are laying on the forest floor. Scarlet Cup gets its name from the color and shape of its fruiting body, the part of the fungus that we see. The “cup” is ¾ - 2 ¾ inches in diameter and is attached to a stalk. The height of the stalk varies depending on how deep the leaf litter is. The inside on the cup is red, sometimes fading to a reddish-orange color with some wrinkles as it ages. The outside of the cup is pinkish-white and covered with minute hairs. As you’re out and about enjoying this awesome spring weather with a hike, keep your eyes open for Scarlet Cup Fungus! It’s fairly easy to spot with its bright red color amongst the dark leaf letter. Go out and look for it before it’s gone! Why does Miss. Mushroom go out with Mr. Mushroom?
. . . Because he is a fungi (fun guy)! |
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