Spring has arrived and so have some very special visitors.
Hummingbirds, those smallest of wonders in the avian world, have flown more than 500 miles from points south.
“So,” says Master Gardener Ginger Ayers, “they’re hungry when they get to your house!”
And, being good hosts, those who welcome these tiny travelers will want to feed their guests. They suspend feeders in their landscapes out of direct sunlight, freshly cleaned and full of the nectar that hummingbirds prize. They also may augment their landscapes to include natural sources of sustenance, such as coral honeysuckle, firebush and firespike.
Ayers presents this information — and much more — to a full house during a recent meeting of the Ribault Garden Club. She and Brian Bidwell, co-owner of several Wild Birds Unlimited nature shops in Northeast Florida, are the guest speakers on this bright March morning.
The Ribault Garden Club is the perfect source of information for locals who want to maximize enjoyment of the landscapes in their own private paradises. Club members and guests meet regularly in their homey headquarters at 705 Second Ave. North, Jacksonville Beach.
With a focus on plants and the beautiful flowers that thrive in the Sunshine State, the club also recognizes the value of butterflies and birds.
In fact, members recently joined Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan as she proclaimed Lights Out North Florida from March 15 to May 15 and Sept. 15 to Nov. 15 to protect migrating birds from window collisions. It’s an initiative spearheaded by club member Elizabeth Filippelli of the Duval Audubon Society.
Each year, about a billion birds die in these collisions when they become confused by outdoor lighting while migrating. At the club’s recent meeting, attendees were encouraged to sign a pledge to switch off unnecessary lights during these months, just as homes along the shore switch off lighting that confuses sea turtle hatchlings.
The lively presentation by Ayers and Bidwell during the March 20 meeting included video and slides as the speakers explored the worlds not just of hummingbirds but also cardinals, bluebirds, Carolina wrens and more. The presentation dovetailed with the nine principles of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program.
These principles are focused on using the right plant in the right place to require less irrigation and less fertilizer and be less prone to pests. Visiting birds are covered under principle number five: Attract wildlife.
For further information on the program, go to ffl.ifas.ufl.edu.
Ayers and Bidwell spoke about the birds’ behaviors, nesting and plants they prefer. Some of which provide food, while others provide building materials for the nests.
Speaking about cardinals, for instance, Bidwell said, “Plants and bushes that have thorns on them are very good, because they’re excellent fliers. They can get in and around there. But it also helps protect them from snakes and other predators.”
Wild Birds Unlimited sells bird feeders, bird baths, nesting boxes, plants and bird food, which Bidwell called the freshest in the business as it arrives fresh each week. Staff members at the shops are knowledgeable and a great source of information.
“Bringing joy into people’s lives is what we do,” said Bidwell. “If you go out in the morning and see the birds in your backyard and it brings a smile to your face, it starts the day out right.”
Technology can enhance one’s appreciation of birds in the landscape.
Ayers spoke about the smart camera, which provides close-up live video of birds at feeders or birdbaths to be watched while at home or at work. Through artificial intelligence, these cameras are capable of identifying the birds, and when a predator appears on the scene, a siren can be sounded to frighten it away.
Another great asset is the Merlin Bird ID app. Free to download, the app identifies birds by the songs they sing. And sometimes that can be a surprise.
“You will quickly become an expert as to what’s out there in your own backyard,” Bidwell said.
The Ribault Garden Club is currently preparing for its annual flower show, to be held 1-4 p.m. Friday, April 25, and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26. The show is open to the public and admission is free.
The National Garden Club Standard Flower Show will include displays of unique and original entries in four divisions:
To learn more about the Ribault Garden Club or the flower show, go to sites.google.com/site/ribaultgarden, email ribaultgc@gmail.com or call 904-246-4641.
