Posted by Pat Sutton (141.150.165.152) on July 10, 2004 at 06:15:37:
There must be one or two dozen RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS at the Cape May Bird Observatory Center for Research & Education in Goshen (600 Rt. 47 North) -- 6 minutes west of the town of Cape May Court House, or 5 minutes south of the town of Dennisville or 35 minutes north of Cape May!
There's always one, two, four, or six in view at any one time, especially if you know where and how to look! Favored perches in the gardens, meadow, and treeline are busy spots!
Cannas, Trumpet Creeper, Tropical Salvia (and other salvias), Cardinal Flower, Coral Honeysuckle and dozens of other beautiful flowers are pulling them in to the gorgeous gardens there.
Males can often be heard and seen as they do their courtship display (a pendulum swing) over females, many of which are too busy with their second nest to pay much attention.
Too, it's fun to watch them buzz through other flowering plants, shrubs, and nearby trees as they glean insects (their key source of protein).
A mister (set up in the Wild Cherry tree behind the Dragonfly Pond) is their favorite bathing spot!
Young from the first nests are flying now and busy feeding themselves (no longer dependent on "Mom") and account for the high number of birds at the site.
Of course the 7 well maintained hummingbird feeders are always busy too.
Luscious shade arbors and pergolas, adorned with hummingbird nectar plants, are tucked into the garden where one can sit quietly and watch, photograph, savor, and be restored by nature's jewels!
Every Saturday and every Wednesday Pat Sutton (CMBO Naturalist & avid "Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardener") leads / teaches a 1 1/2 hour "The Buzz About Hummingbirds" program in these gardens at 2:00 PM. Participants will be buzzed by hummingbirds as they learn all about them and have a chance to see and touch a "soft-as-can-be" hummingbird nest! No preregistration is necessary . . . just come! Bring binoculars if you have them; loaners will be available too! Fee: $10 ($6 for members of Cape May Bird Observatory or New Jersey Audubon Society). Call 609-861-0700, x-11, for more information about these or CMBO's 100s of other programs!
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