Transform garden into a springtime oasis, attract hummingbirds

Nebraska

Spring has sprung and before long family and friends will venture onto backyard decks and patios to enjoy the fresh scenery. However, with a little extra planning, onlookers also can welcome some entertaining guests--hummingbirds and butterflies, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln specialist says.

Hummingbirds aren't common in Nebraska, but do come through during their annual migration to and from beyond the Gulf of Mexico, said Ron Johnson, wildlife specialist in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Most are seen between the months of April and June or August to September, with the greatest occurrence in early to mid-May and early to mid-September, he said.

Only a few actually nest here, Johnson added.

"People are generally fascinated by hummingbirds," Johnson said. "It's interesting that such a tiny bird can make a 1,000-mile round-trip flight and still have the energy to hover over a flower or nectar feeder in our backyards."

While different types of hummingbirds are seen in Nebraska, ruby-throated are the most common, Johnson said.

"The feathers on the ruby-throated hummingbirds aren't actually red," he said. "The red comes from reflection of sunlight on the feathers."

But even when hummingbirds aren't around, red admirals, painted ladies and skippers, all different types of butterflies, aren't anything to scoff at.

"They are soothing to watch," said Steve Spomer, UNL research technologist. "Kids like to keep caterpillars, and butterflies make excellent subjects for photography."

Besides their aesthetic value, butterflies also can indicate the overall well-being of a garden or yard, he said.

To attract hummingbirds and butterflies, plants are the first place to start.

"Timing of bloom is important for hummingbirds," Johnson said. "You want to plan ahead and select varieties that will bloom around the time of migration."

Johnson recommended plant varieties with red or orange, tubular blooms such as columbine or trumpet honeysuckle. Both make an excellent choice and are native to Nebraska. Jewel weed, blazing stars, bee balm, morning glories, rose-of-sharon and coralberry also are good selections.

Artificial feeders that contain a sugar water mixture, not honey, are effective as well. Commercial solutions are commonly available for purchase, Johnson said. However, similar solutions can be made at home by dissolving one part granulated white sugar with four parts boiling water. Once the solution has cooled, it can be used to fill the feeder or kept refrigerated for future use. The solution in hummingbird feeders should be changed occasionally to keep it fresh, he said.

Hummingbirds will generally use any variety of hummingbird feeder as long as it is associated with the color red, Johnson said. However, it is best to choose a feeder that is easy to fill and clean, he said.

"Most feeders come with red spouts," Johnson said. "But even if they don't, red tape on the feeder is sufficient."

Adding red-food coloring to the sugar water mixture isn't necessary because the red around the tip and surrounding flowers attract hummingbirds, he added.

"You usually can get a good idea from previous sightings as to where to place a feeder," Johnson said. "Those places are where they're most likely to be."

Feeders also should be placed in an area where strong winds won't blow the hummingbirds around, Johnson said.

Hummingbirds also feed on fruit flies near flowers as a source of protein, Johnson said. He recommends hanging an over-ripe piece of fruit such as a banana peel or cantaloupe in a produce sack near the feeder to attract fruit flies. Insecticides also should be avoided if possible to prevent destroying this food source.

Butterflies need plants not only for nectar but as sites for laying eggs as well, Spomer said. Most butterflies don't like shade and therefore prefer open, sunny areas of nectar sources such as zinnias, asters, milkweed and butterfly bush mixed with caterpillar hosts such as fennel and parsley in sunny, open areas. However, shrubs and trees such as pawpaw, prickly ash and chokecherry located along edges are more desirable just for laying eggs and caterpillar habitat, he said.

"Butterflies are important in that they help pollinate flowers by collecting the pollen on their legs and moving it among the plants," Spomer said.

Spomer also said supplying a water source for butterflies isn't necessary. Butterflies can drink dew off plants or sip at mud or puddles, he said.

An ideal butterfly garden might be 30-by-50 feet, Spomer said.

"Bigger is better," he said. "But people have to use what works for them."

The past four to five years have actually shown a decrease in butterfly populations, Spomer said. The drought caused the diversity to decline, so it might take some time to bring them back, he said.

Date: 5/25/06

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com