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Published 11 days ago • loading... • Updated 11 days ago
Arrival of hummingbirds to the Okanagan
Birds weighing 2.5 to 3.5 grams are returning after a 3,800-kilometre migration, with males arriving first and females following 7 to 14 days later.
North American hummingbirds are returning to the Okanagan to carve out territory and mate, traveling over 3,800 kilometres to reach their birthplaces after wintering elsewhere.
Driven by instinct to create new life, these birds weigh 2.5–3.5 grams and depend on flowering plants and insects at their birthplace sites to fuel the long migration.
Karen Siemens of the North Okanagan Naturalist Club emphasizes responsible feeding using Feeder Glass, cleaned with water, while avoiding red dye since the feeder's color alone attracts hummingbirds.
When temperature reaches 27 degrees Celsius or above, change food daily using one part white sugar to four parts water, avoiding brown sugar, honey, and sugar substitutes.
Neonicotinoid pesticides compromise the insect protein hummingbirds need for breeding; gardeners should plant hummingbird-compatible species from Okanagan Xeriscape by selecting Search, then Features, and checking "attracts hummingbirds.