We're often asked what Ruby-throated Hummingbirds eat if they come back in early spring before there's a noticeable flower bloom. Among other things they consume tree sap and tiny insects, but there may be more blossoms out there than you think. "This Week at Hilton Pond" we've selected five native plants that produce nectar-rich flowers in late March and early April--just in time for those earliest ruby-throats. All can be grown throughout most of the eastern U.S., so you might even want to try them all in your backyard "Hummingbird Habitat." To view our photo essay for 1-10 April, please visit http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek120401.html
While there don't forget to scroll down for a list of birds banded or recaptured during the week--plus a couple of miscellaneous notes, acknowledgements for folks who have thoughtfully supported us recently, and another of our occasional nature moments with McKinley. Happy (Spring) Nature Watching! BILL ========= RESEARCH PROGRAM c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA office & cell (803) 684-5852 fax (803) 684-0255 Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net): Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org ==================
