Make your yard a hummingbird paradise

Several folks have posted on Facebook that they are just starting to see their first hummingbirds for the spring. For many homeowners, these little flying wonders are a welcomed treat each year — some do a better job attracting them than others. Even if you are not a serious gardener, your backyard can easily be transformed into an inviting habitat to welcome these tiny guests.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia is home to 11 species of hummingbirds. The list includes ruby-throated, black-chinned, rufous, calliope, magnificent, Allen's, Anna's, broad-billed, green violet-ear, green-breasted mango and broad-tailed hummingbirds.

Of these, the ruby-throated is the only one known to nest in Georgia. This small creature weighs about a tenth of an ounce and has a nest the size of a walnut. The female lays two eggs, about the size of a black-eyed pea.

Our University of Georgia experts tell us that six to eight hummingbird feeders are necessary per half-acre of land — two or three in the open for males and the others in the tree canopies for females and their young. Feeders should be kept up year round in Georgia. Birds will leave an area where feeders are not maintained.

A sugar solution made of four parts water and one part table sugar (which mirrors the sugar concentration of nectar) is the best mix to put in feeders. Boil the water several minutes before adding the sugar. Cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Never add fruit juice, honey or red dye. Since hummingbirds get their daily protein from eating gnats and tiny flies, they don’t need any extra in the feeder solution.

It is best to clean feeders every few days to limit bacterial problems that can sicken the birds. One way to limit this problem is by filling the feeder halfway up with mix and replacing it frequently. To clean feeders, dump the leftover food and wash thoroughly by rinsing three or four times before refilling.

Ants can be kept at bay by either installing an “ant moat” between the feeder and the structure it is hung on, or by smearing Vasoline or a similar substance on the wire above the feeder. Bees, wasps and yellow jackets can be deterred by smearing cooking oil on the surface of the artificial flowers surrounding the feeding ports on your feeders.

There are also a number of plants that will increase your hummingbird visits. These plants will provide sources of nectar throughout the summer. Consider some of the following:

▪ Early-season plants: Native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora), red buckeye (A. pavia), native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans).

▪ Mid-season plants: Blue sage (Salvia guaranitica), chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), spider flower (Cleome hasslerana), sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), common impatiens (Impatiens hybrida) and bee balm (Monarda didyma).

▪ Late-season plants: Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), pineapple sage (Salvia coccinea), lantana (Lantana camara ‘Miss Huff’), morning glories (Ipomea spp), cannas (Canna generalis) and upright verbena (Verbena bonairiensis).

Hummingbirds are truly amazing creatures that can be enjoyed by the whole family. For more information about hummingbirds and other backyard birds, check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s ‘All About Birds’ site at allaboutbirds.org.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 9:34 PM with the headline "Make your yard a hummingbird paradise."