Birdword: An Illustrated Guide To Ornithological Terms
Gorget: A distinctive patch of colour on an animal’s throat, often found on hummingbirds. This striking bit of avian anatomy is named for a piece of armor used in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s that protected the neck, nape, shoulders and upper chest.
ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS IN AUGUST
At three weeks of age, the little baby hummingbirds are now looking more like a real hummingbird. They are trying out their wings more and more in preparation for flight. In the next few days, these little baby hummingbirds fly away as real adult hummingbirds, never to return back to the nest.
The mother hummingbird will still feed their fledglings for two to three days after leaving the nest. During this time she will show them all the good places to catch bugs and get nectar. Then she will chase them off to live on their own.
So the fledglings are now looking for a territory of their own with flowering nectar plants and perhaps a sugar solution feeder. If you have the right set up in your backyard, they may settle in your yard as their adopted territory and when they return next spring they will return to your yard perhaps to raise their own young.
Flowers to attract hummingbirds:
Trumpet honeysuckle, Delphinium, Bleeding heart, Bee balm, Petunias and Fuschia.
If you are offering sugar water in a hummingbird feeder (The Wild Bird Store recommends a “saucer” to prevent leakage which can attract unwanted pests such as ants and hornets), remember to change the solution every few days and even more often if the weather is hot!
Jim’s years of guiding bird walks has been instrumental in teaching “birders” how to get the most out of their birding excursions. Children 12 and older are most welcome as long as accompanied by an adult and have purchased a ticket through Eventbrite.ca
All participants on any bird walk must have purchased a ticket through Eventbrite.ca and present the ticket to Jim prior to the bird walk. The weather plays a big part in bird walks and Jim reminds participants to dress anticipating weather changes and to carry water to keep hydrated.
Saturday August 5, 2023 Bebo Grove Fish Creek Park
(9:00am meet at 24th Street parking lot)
Ticket Price: $6.00 +GST +fees
Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite.ca—2023 WBS bird walks
Saturday August 19, 2023 Burnsmead Fish Creek Park
(9:00am meet 153 Avenue SE—1st parking lot by water treatment plant)
Ticket price: $6.00 +GST +fees
Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite.ca—2023 WBS bird walks
Saturday September 2, 2023 Frank Lake Day Trip please bring lunch
(9:00am meet rear parking lot behind The Wild Bird Store)
Ticket price: $6.00 +GST +fees
Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite.ca—2023 WBS bird walks
Saturday September 16, 2023 Elliston Park/68th Street at Wetlands
(9:00am meet in East Elliston parking lot at 68th Street on right side before getting to the landfill)
Ticket price: $6.00 +GST +fees
Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite.ca—2023 WBS bird walks
Saturday September 30, 2023 Inglewood Bird Sanctuary—9th Avenue S.E.
(9:00am meet in parking lot at Bird Sanctuary)
Ticket price: $6.00 +GST +fees
Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite.ca—2023 WBS bird walks
