OUTDOOR CORNER: INVITE A HUMMINGBIRD OVER FOR A DRINK

I knew it was spring when they came back. Oh, they were not subtle at all. Metallic chipping and buzzing noises were just a prelude to the U-shaped dance they would perform. The acrobatics, color, speed and fragile appearance were impossible to ignore.

Yes, hummingbirds were a welcome sight to my cabin fever eyes. Upon seeing them, I immediately fixed up a feeder to tempt the nectar loving speedsters.

Now, this summer I will enjoy the spriteful antics of a welcome visitor. If you have not done so already, you might consider making your yard attractive to hummingbirds. Should you be one of the thousands of folks who were way ahead of me in getting that feeder out, I will include tips for making a good yard better for hummers.

As already mentioned, an easy method to attract hummingbirds is to put out a feeder.

When shopping for a feeder, consider glass rather than plastic. Plastic tends to allow bacterial and mold growth more readily than glass. Feeder openings that resemble tubular flowers are desirable but if the feeder you like does not have them go for it anyway. Hummingbirds are pretty forgiving. Insect guards are a good idea to prevent stinging insects from partaking of the free meal.

Price and size of the feeder are pretty much up to your taste and desires. Be aware that bigger feeders do not always attract more hummers. In fact the nectar is more likely to go bad unless a lot of birds are already using the feeders.

Clean your feeder occasionally. Using warm water is fine and should be done once or twice a month. If the feeder is not used much it may be a sign that the nectar is sour. A good wash may be what it takes to get your customers back.

Instant nectar can be purchased but is not a requirement. Good old sugar water mixed with one part sugar and four parts water will charm even the pickiest hummingbird. Red dye in the mix is just a bonus and will not make or break your feeder's success.

Although attractive and cute, hummingbirds can be quite aggressive towards one another.

Access to multiple feeders can help reduce tension. Consider putting out two feeders or perhaps you and a neighbor can each put a feeder out, thus reducing the effort and cost.

Another option is to have nectar producing plants in your flower beds. Native plants such as cardinal flower, royal catchfly, trumpet creeper and columbine make great attractions. Non-native plants such as snapdragon, hollyhock, gladiola and geraniums are also good choices.

These will not only add color and beauty to your yard but give hungry birds many options for feeding. The plants may even provide a few nutrients that sugar water could never give.

Keep your feeder out well into October. Hummingbirds migrate to South and Central America each fall and need food along the way. Keeping a feeder out will not make them overstay. The birds will know to leave when they should. You will just be helping them fuel up for their trip.

An added bonus to observant feeder watchers might be a visit from Rufous Hummingbirds in late September and October after most of the ruby throated hummingbirds have left for warmer weather. Rufous Hummers which have orange chins, not red, go through Missouri during their fall migration. I know it frosts and even freezes in October but keeping a fresh feeder full of nectar may give you a glimpse of a really rare sight in Missouri yards.

Hummingbirds are great birds to have around and with a little effort you can make them a regular visitor to your yard.

If you want more information on hummingbirds, you may visit the Regional Missouri Department of Conservation office in the North Cape Girardeau County Park or call 1-573-290-5730. A free publication "Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Missouri" can give you more tips on attracting those summer acrobats.

A.J. Hendershott is an education consultant with the Missouri Department of Conservation.