Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Spring is officially here when the Ruby Throated Hummingbird flies to the sugar water feeder in our yard. Today, in the rain, I saw this little fellow enjoying a sugar water sip at the feeder hanging from our deck.

The RTHB is eastern North America's only breeding hummingbird. These wee nectar sippers winter in Central America and Mexico flying over the Gulf of Mexico to come to our neighborhood. Imagine! This RTHB is a female, hence no ruby throat.

If you would like to attract them to your yard, get a feeder with a ant moat (a place to put water in the center) and make your own nectar by dissolving 1 part sugar in 4 parts water. Store in fridge.  Change the nectar every 3-5 days to prevent molding.

(photograph taken in Raymondale.)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!