Nature Notebook

The ruby-throated hummingbird and Baltimore oriole are making appearances at backyard feeders again. Their fans are rushing to put out special food hoping to entice the colorful beauties to linger in their yard. The sugar water concoction (ratio of one cup sugar to four cups water and lightly heated for mixing) for hummingbirds supplements the nectar they usually find in flowers.

It is common for people to add red coloring to the juice wrongly thinking that the birds “need help” finding it. Studies have shown that this coloring is unnecessary and actually harmful. The birds get “diarrhea” and the pigments in their feathers are adversely affected.

Many times orioles are offered jelly. They love the stuff! The problem is that they love it too much and will choose it over more nutritious natural food. Sliced oranges provide just the right amount of sugar for them. For hummingbirds, too.

We need help with our Nature Discovery Camps this summer (ages 4-8)! Join us this Saturday, May 17 from 2 – 3 p.m. for Summer Camp Volunteer Training. Whether leading groups of students on your own or following a group with a naturalist this training is for you, we’d love to talk! These camps are once a week, from 10-11:30 a.m. Contact Kevin, at volunteer@sarett.org or call the nature center at 269-927-4832 x 103 for program schedules and more information.