Spring Arrival Records of Idaho Hummingbirds
Annual Arrivals Statewide (All species) These "annual arrival"
pages are no longer updated, since this data is now collected and
Idaho Hummingbird Photos, Documentation of Rarities, etc.
IDAHO Hummingbird Banding Currently there are six hummingbird banders licensed to band hummingbirds in the state of Idaho. Four live in the state: Terry & Peggy Peterson (Caldwell, Canyon County), Carl Rudeen (Mtn Home, Elmore County), and Carl Rudeen (Mountain Home, Elmore County). They all have subpermits under mine, Stacy Jon Peterson (Eagle River, Alaska). My friend Fred Bassett (Montgomery, Alabama) visits southern Idaho annually to band hummingbirds as part of his research. He has kindly trained some of our banding team for us during that time, as well - and for that we are very grateful. Introduction to Idaho Humbanding Rudeen Ranch Banding Data & Reports 2008 BANDING SCHEDULE: We currently only have 1 public banding session set up for 2008: Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 25 & 26) at the Rudeen Ranch south of American Falls in Power County. I'm going to be flying down for that annual research trip, and I hope to see you there! Email Stacy for directions (stacy[at]trochilids.com). If other events come to my attention, I'll let you know. Annual Hummingbird Banding Data for Idaho FUNDRAISERS -- including "Hooked on Hummingbirds" video and "Hummingbird Head" photos Newspaper articles featuring Idaho hummingbird banding (note: always use healthy skepticism when reading details of newspaper articles! While most of these are largely accurate, some details are clearly incorrect.)
IDAHO Hummingbird Gardening Gardening for hummingbirds -- providing nectar-producing plants -- is a growing hobby for many nature lovers nationwide. Not only does it provide a "more natural" means of feeding birds compared to providing sugar/water feeders, it also allows us to enjoy the beauty of flowers while at the same time attracting hummingbirds to the yard. Of course providing native flowers is ideal, but many people have discovered a host of other nectar-producing plants that are utilized heavily by hummingbirds in other parts of their life-cycle, such as winter in Mexico. Here I provide a bit of information on what plants I've used to attract hummingbirds to my garden in SW Idaho (USDA zone 6). Some things to keep in mind when choosing hummingbird plants for SW Idaho gardens:
So what are my recommended plants? The links at the end provide photos and more details on some plants in my garden, but if I had minimal $$ or was just starting out in humgardening, I'd buy as much Texas Sage (Salvia coccinea) as I could possibly find! This plant is widely available at most garden centers under the name, 'Lady in Red,' etc. This plant is an annual, but the seeds can be harvested when dry and replanted next spring. It may even reseed itself if the goldfinches don't get to the stalks first! (Goldfinches and siskins love the seeds from this plant in my yard). Most native Salvias are good choices, though the hardiness varies with the variety. If you can treat them as annuals, that's fine. Salvia greggii (several varieties) is widely available locally and are moderate at attracting hummingbirds and look good, but frankly I find that better choices are out there if you really want to please the hummers. In fact, Texas Sage isn't even the "best" hummingbird plant in my mind -- the following three are -- but it IS visited regularly by hummers, and because it's easily found and inexpensive it's a good choice for the beginning humgardener or those with lots of space to fill. One of my top rated hummingbird plants, though not widely available except through online sources (including Ebay), is Anise Sage (Salvia guaranitica). If this plant is sheltered or mulched heavily in winter, it will survive to regrow from the roots each spring. The blue flowers are spectacular, and a large bed of this plant is irresistible to migrating hummers. If you like aromatics -- try Hummingbird Mints -- again, widely available online. Agastache cana and Agastache rupestris are great choices and the leaves are very fragrant. The hummers love the flowers. These are also perennial here, growing back from the roots in ever-larger clumps each spring. Because they grow rather large, a handful of these plants can cover a lot of ground quickly. If you have the money and are lucky enough to find large pots of Flowering Maple (Abutilon sp.) already in bloom at a local garden center, they're sure to attract the birds. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $20 a pop, though. One variety named Abutilon 'Little Imp' is quite the hit and a prolific bloomer, even if left in a pot all season. It won't overwinter in our area without being brought indoors. These plants produce so much nectar they literally drip indoors, so be prepared if you try to overwinter one... Finally, certain types of honeysuckle are regularly visited by hummingbirds, and are good if you have a large trellis or back fence you can let it cover. The readily available Japanese (or Hall's) Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica 'Halliana') is OK, but considered an invasive plant in many regions. It is also not as good for hummingbirds as others, such as Lonicera sempervirens. Penstemons are often touted as good hummingbird plants in the west, but in my experience they are mediocre at best. I have several of the native species in my garden and while they're visited by hummingbirds, they're not the magnets that certain Salvia's and Agastache's are... My favorite plants in my garden during summer of 2003. My favorite plants in my garden during summer of 2004. Dale Donahue (Desert Design; Boise, Idaho, 208-331-2388) offers suggestions on hummer plants for SW Idaho.
For information on Idaho's birds in general, visit IdahoBirds.net online!
by
Stacy Jon Peterson ` |
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