COLUMBUS, Ohio — The warm weather has arrived and we are beginning to see more signs of spring – from flowers blooming to animals appearing.
One animal in particular has begun migrating north from Mexico and Central America. Ohio will soon see plenty of hummingbirds in the area on the search for nectar.
Hummingbird Central has released its Spring 2024 Hummingbird Migration Map and Sightings and the birds have begun their move north.
The small birds love nectar and fly when flowers are more abundant. They fly low so they can see their food sources and use their tail winds to get to their destinations faster.
Before they start their migration, Hummingbird Central says the birds gain about 25-40% of their weight in order to make the long trek north.
The first birds to arrive are usually males.
Hummingbird Central relies on witnesses to input their sightings of hummingbirds so they can track them. There have already been a few sightings of ruby-throated hummingbirds in Ohio. Click here to submit your sighting.
If you’re interested in seeing a hummingbird this spring or summer, you can attract them to your property with plenty of flowers in your garden or with a hummingbird feeder.
Hummingbirds like to drink nectar, which they get from flowers, like butterfly bushes and milkweed, and feeders.
If you want to fill your feeder, you will need to mix four parts water to one part sugar together. Hummingbird Central recommends never using red dye or pre-mixed commercial nectar because it may be harmful to hummingbirds.
For more information on the best flowers to attract hummingbirds and the different types of birds, check out Hummingbird Central's website.
