Get Ready Bird Lovers! Hummingbirds Are on Their Way to Kentucky
Y'all may or may not know by now that I have officially become a bird watcher. I always thought it was a hobby reserved for folks much older than me, but I was so wrong. On an almost daily basis, you can catch me on my front porch watching the birds in our bird bath or wandering around our yard trying to video geese in the sky.
I've been obsessed with watching Eagle cams and keeping track of my friend Chris Conley's amazing photos of a nearby nest.
I even found an awesome free bird App that allows you to identify and track birds you see or hear.
My bird obsession has also led me to a website called Hummingbird Central where you can track hummingbird migration throughout North America.
2024 Hummingbird Migration
Hummingbirds fly south to Mexico and Central America during the winter. Can't say I blame them! Once the weather begins to warm up, they start to make their way back up to the United States on their quest for food.
Flight of the Hummingbird
Fun fact, male hummingbirds actually lead the way. According to Hummingbird Central, "Research indicates a hummingbird can travel as much as 23 miles in one day. However, during migration as they cross the Gulf of Mexico they may cover up to 500 miles at a time. Their average speed in direct flight is in the range of 20-30mph, and up to three times that fast during courtship dives."
Flower Power Food
As flowers begin to bloom, hummingbirds seek out their nectar and we begin to notice more of them through spring, summer, and fall until they retreat to their warmer winter homes. They fly low to the ground so they can see better as they zip from flower to flower.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
Did you know that Hummingbirds' favorite color is red? Planting red flowers, butterfly bushes, and milkweed is a surefire way to see more little birds in your neck of the woods. You'll also want to provide some kind of water source like a bird bath or fountain.
Safe Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Experts recommend NOT using store-bought nectars as they can often have red dye in them. This is not necessary and can be harmful to hummingbirds. It's really simple to make your own with a four parts water to one-part sugar ratio. Using warm water will help the sugar dissolve as you stir.
Hummingbirds have already been spotted in Kentucky, so it's only a matter of time before we start seeing more of them. Do you have a feeder in your garden? Aren't they so cool to watch?
