As kids, who didn't love watching hummingbirds in the garden? Now we are lucky enough to see our grandchildren light up from the same experience. Now you can turn your backyard into hummingbird heaven. Grab your family and get everyone porch sitting while they enjoy nature's little aerial acrobats.
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check Price1. The Secret to Perfect Nectar
Never buy the ready-to-use mixes because they have red dye! That can't be good for our little friends! The recipe is super easy and great. Just mix 4 parts water and 1 part white sugar. Bring the water to a boil and stir the sugar until it disolves. Let it cool completely. You can also avoid using honey, artificial sweeteners, and red food coloring. As Grandma says, simple is best!
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2. Strategic Feeder Placement
From the kitchen window or the porch swing, you and your grandkids can watch the feeders! Try to not let the nectar go bad by keeping the feeders out of direct sunlight. Put the feeders 10-15 feet apart. Just like everyone else, these little guys need their space!
3. Cleaning Schedule Secrets
Remember to schedule a weekly cleaning of your feeders, just like you schedule your vitamins! Clean feeders by using a bottle brush to scrub the feeder with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water, then rinse with hot water to remove all remaining solution. In the warmer months, just like the kiddie pool, you will have to change the nectar in the feeders every 2 to 3 days.
4. Kid-Friendly Viewing Spots
Create a special place for your grandkids to watch the bird feeders. You can even set out a journal for them to note the different birds they see. Put some chairs around 10-15 feet from the feeders, and add a pair of binoculars to the area. You will have some priceless teaching moments with the little ones.
5. Best Flowers to Plant
Think about putting in trumpet honeysuckle, cardinal flower, and bee balm. They are candy stores for hummingbirds! Grandkids can help with the planting. They'll get excited when hummingbirds come to "their" flowers.
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6. Water Features They'll Love
To create a gentle misting area or small fountain, consider adding a gentle mister or small moving water fountain. Watching hummingbirds bathe in the fine spray and darting through the water will delight your grandchildren just as much as any nature show. These little acrobats will put on a warm afternoon show like no other!
7. Photography Tips
You can set up a simple photography station that will have a clear view of the feeders for some great shots. You should use fast shutter speed and natural light for most of your pics. While waiting for the animals to approach the feeders, you can teach the grandkids to be patient and calm. This lesson in stillness is much needed as it is becoming more rare in today's world.
8. Making It Educational
Create an identification chart for various species of hummingbirds with your grandchildren. You may also keep track of how many visitors you have to identify different species and behaviors. You will create a wonderful memory while teaching your grandchildren about the natural world.
9. Seasonal Maintenance
Make sure you keep an eye on bird migration patterns so you know when to adjust your feeders! If you live in a warmer area, keep your feeders out year-round. If you live in a cooler area, be prepared to bring your feeders in for the winter and put them back out when spring comes around. Just like when you have grandkids visiting, you have to time it perfectly!
10. Creating Safe Spaces
Build small tree and shrub barriers beside feeding stations for adequate safety and protection of your birds. They will secure your birds from the elements and also from predators' hunting. Just as we take care of our grand children/ care for your hummingbird visitors as well.
11. Natural Pest Control
Get your grandchildren and birds some treats as gentle on nature as we are. There are many natural alternatives that do not involve toxins and pesticides. You can do hand removal of the pests that you can see. You can also do companion planting to keep pests away. Gardening is an ancient practice that did not use modern conveniences and fancies. Last but definitely not least, remember to use nature.
12. Record Keeping
Start a garden journal with your grandkids and include the first hummingbird visitors, what plants they like, and any special behaviors. Drawings, photos, and your observations can be included too. It's a fun way to create a lasting memory and share the joy of nature with your grandkids.
13. Building Community
Watching hummingbirds from your garden will fascinate your friends and family. You and your neighbors can discuss ideas to attract these birds to your yards. Like the wonderful tradition of sharing home grown produce from our gardens with neighbors, we can now share the joy of watching these stunning birds!
