Time to put out your sweet feeders: Michigan’s ruby-throated hummingbirds are back

It’s time to make some nectar and hang up the feeders: Michigan’s ruby-throated hummingbirds are finally back.

Since late winter these tiny, mighty birds have been flying northward from their wintering grounds in Central America to their summer breeding grounds across the eastern U.S. and Canada. Reports of sightings in Michigan have been steadily increasing the past few weeks, according to reports on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Journey North website, which collects citizen observations of migratory species.

While there are 15 species of hummingbirds that live in the U.S., the ruby-throated hummingbird is Michigan’s only native hummingbird.

If you’d like to welcome these jewel-toned beauties to your yard, you can make your own inexpensive hummingbird food by using a 1:4 DIY blend of refined white sugar dissolved in boiling tap water (do not use dye, artificial sweetener, or other natural sweeteners like honey). Store in the fridge and bring to room temperature before filling the feeders.

Keep in mind that the high sugar content of hummingbird food can encourage bacteria and mold if left out too long, so feeders should be cleaned at least weekly with hot tap water or weak vinegar solution (not dish soap); clean them twice a week when the weather is hot.

In addition to setting out feeders, you might add hummingbird-friendly plants to your outdoors spaces. Brightly colored native plants such as bee balm, cardinal flower, and red columbine are all food sources for these birds (and, bonus: butterflies). Audubon’s native plant database can recommend bird-friendly plants specific to your region.

To report a ruby-throated hummingbird sighting, visit journeynorth.org/sightings.