arf@chinet.chi.il.us (Jack Schmidling) (09/11/89)
hummer/e9
"BACKYARD SAFARI"
Halleluja Hummer!
We just "bagged" the first hummingbird of the year. It has
been in and out of the yard several times. It is feeding on
the jewel weed and resting. It poked around on the prairie
dock flowers but we couldn't tell if it was drinking nectar
or eating insects.
Those who have seen our video, "Backyard Safari" will
recognize this as our big chance to get the hummers on tape
and get going on "Backyard Safari, the Sequel". So what am
I doing on this computer? The hummer is resting out of view
and Marilyn is on watch and the camera is ready to roll.
The jewel weed (Impatiens capensis) is the key to attracting
hummers. In the whole Chicago urban area, there are only
one or two hummer sightings each year and my backyard has
been one of them consistantly, since we planted the jewel
weeds.
I harvest seeds every year for people who want to start
their own hummer garden. They are very easy to grow and are
self seeding once they get started.
If anyone would like a few seeds, send me an SASE and I will
mail them to you.
I am always hoping they will fall in love with my nectar
feeder and come around all year but they never do. Just a
few weeks in Fall when the jewel weeds are in bloom and they
totally ignore the bright red feeder.
If anyone would like info on purchasing a copy of "Backyard
Safari", just e-mail your postal address and I will send you
a flyer.
Jack Schmidling arf@chinet.chi.il.us
4501 Moody
Chicago, Il 60630 bcw@rti.UUCP (Bruce Wright) (09/13/89)
In article <9536@chinet.chi.il.us>, arf@chinet.chi.il.us (Jack Schmidling) writes: > The jewel weed (Impatiens capensis) is the key to attracting > hummers. In the whole Chicago urban area, there are only > one or two hummer sightings each year and my backyard has > been one of them consistantly, since we planted the jewel > weeds. > > I am always hoping they will fall in love with my nectar > feeder and come around all year but they never do. Just a > few weeks in Fall when the jewel weeds are in bloom and they > totally ignore the bright red feeder. > *IF* you have lots of room and something for it to climb, and if you don't mind having to get rid of a few seedlings, you might try planting trumpet creeper, Campsis radicans. This has big red trumpet-shaped flowers and will bloom earlier than fall (I don't specifically know about Chicago but my father had one in bloom in PA in July). This is a common and noxious weed in the South; I think it is less prolific in the North. Its blooming time (starts in late May here in NC) is said to be the chief determinant of the time of arrival of hummingbirds across the South. It will *cover up* and old shed or fence in a very few years. It will climb a tree if one is provided. It is perennial and drought-tolerant, much less fussy about water than jewell weed. Think carefully before you plant this stuff; I take no responsibility but it depends on how badly you want hummingbirds. You might also try the red Lobelia called 'Cardinal flower'; it is also perennial although said to be short-lived, and likes a damp but well-drained place (it is also a weed locally, on or near stream banks mostly). It blooms here in late summer, I'm not sure before the jewell weed though. It is a clump-forming perennial and not invasive or likely to be a problem like trumpet creeper. You will not get hummingbirds to stay in Chicago all year no matter what you do; they do not like cold weather and will not stick around when there are no suitable flowers, no matter how many feeders you put out. I don't know why they don't like your feeder though; they come to mine. Good luck. Janice Frank