Hummingbirds are migrating

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration has begun. Hummingbirds are showing up at feeders in Southeast Texas now. Their numbers will continue to increase as the birds, some that nested as far north as Canada, make their way south to the coast. Unlike in the spring, the hummingbirds follow a land route for their southward migration and do not fly straight across the Gulf of Mexico. So, all the adult birds that came through in the spring move southward along with the juveniles that hatched this year. The result is a lot of hummingbirds on the move! It is time to put your feeders out. The nectar solution is four parts water to one part plain white table sugar. Boil the water and add the sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Let it cool and put it in your feeders. Change the nectar in your feeders every three days to prevent mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria from growing. Some of these can be lethal to the hummingbirds. Store excess nectar in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. Watch for mold in the nectar before filling your feeders. We should see hummingbirds at our feeders into October. A feeder can help hummingbirds keep up the energy they need to continue southward. Planting flowers in your backyard can help too. My hummingbird garden has turk's cap, abutilon and firespike. Next year it will have some red salvia.

I haven't been birding on the property in quite a while. It's just too hot and humid. The fall neotropical migration hasn't begun in full yet, so I will wait until September to get out and see what is going on.

I have seen quite a few Mississippi Kites flying around as they are about to begin their southward migration. Hawk Watches are gearing up for another season. If you've never checked out a hawk watch, you should go. There is one at Smith Point in Chambers County and one in Lake Jackson. You can see an unbelievable number of hawks and have people who are experienced in hawk identification help you learn how to be better too.