March 21, 2018 Page 3B
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MONROE OUTDOORS by Terry Johnson
ti
arrival of the
first humming-
bird of the year is
always an exciting
event. I am certain it was
just as special
to the egly
colonists as it
is to us centu-
ries later.
When the
first European
colonists ar-
rived in the
new world,
they had
never seen
the likes of
a humming-
bird. This is
because hummingbirds
are only found in North,
Central, and SOuth Ameri-
ca. As such, early colonists
were truly amazed by these
tiny jewel-like birds; every-
thing about them seemed
beyond reason. Their
iridescent colors were
breathtaking.
They had never before
seen a bird that could
fly sideways, forward,
back, upside down and
hover. They also wondered
where these flying jewels
went in winter.
Terry W. Johnson
One widely held theory
was published in 1651 in a
book named "The Penn-
sylvania Cylopeida" This
auspicious text stated that
when the
flowers faded
away in the fall
hummingbirds
would thrust
their bills into
a tree. The
birds would
remain there
until flowers
reappeared
the following
spring. At that
time, the tiny
birds would
magically come back to life
and begin feeding again.
As we all know, biolo-
gists debunked this fanciful
theory many years ago. In
truth, our ruby-throated
hummingbirds winter
from southern Mexico to
Costa Rice.
Now that spring has final-
ly arrived, the millions of
rubythroats that have been
spending the winter far
south of the United States
are returning home. This
spring- migration is truly
remarkable.
Many of these birds have
to navigate at least 500
miles of the Gulf of Mexico
before reachirig the shores
of North America. This
nonstop flight takes as long
as 26 hours. During this
time they beat their wings
2.7 million times. Each bird
must Carry about 3/40 of
an ounce of fuel (fat). Once
they reach the mainland of
the United States, the tired,
hungry birds rest and feed
before continuing north.
My journals indicate the
first birds arrive in Monroe
County around March
18. A few arrive earlier. For
some reason, it seems most
Monroe Countians do not
see their first hummingbird
until early March.
The males are the first
to arrive. Seven to 10
days later the first wave of
females arrive.
Ironically, when the
first rubythroats arrive,
the flowers of most of the
plants blooming offer little
nectar. One exception is
the redbud.This small tree
is a haven for early butter-
flies, hummingbirds, and
nectar feeders.
Because of the scarcity of
Male ruby-throated hummingbirds usually begin arriving
in Monroe County around March 18, and they arrive tired
and hungry. (Photo/Terry Johnson)
nectar, we should put out
a feeder full of sugar water
by the middle of March.
The feeders allow hungry
hummingbirds to find the
food they so desperately
need.
Far too often folks tell
me the first hummer they
see in the spring is spotted
hovering in a place where a
feeder was hung the previ-
ous year. When this hap-
pens people scurry to make
some hummingbird food
as quickly as possible.
If you make your own
food, remember to add
one part sugar to four parts
water. Boil the solution
for three to four minutes.
Allow the liquid to cool
before it is poured into a
feeder.
Although most folks
hang but a single feeder
out at the beginning to the
season, some decorate their
yard with half a dozen or
more. They operate under
the theory that hum-
mingbirds are more likely
to spot a bunch of feeders
than a lone one. I do not
know if this increases the
chance a hummingbird
will find its feeder or not.
However, I am certain it
does not hurt.
At any rate, the tiny birds
that bring us so much
pleasure deserve to be
treated with a little tender
loving care when you think
about all they have gone
through just to make it to
our backyards.
Terry Johnson is retired
Program Manager of the
Georgia Nongame-Enclan-
gered Wildlife Program. He
has written the informative
column 'Monroe Outdoors'
for the Reporter for many
years. Email him at
tjwoodduck@bellsouth.net.
0 0
The Project Appleseed rifle
marksmanship clinic will be held
on Saturday, April 7 and Sunday,
April 8 at Marion Road Gun Club
in Macon at 6170 Marion Road.
Registration begins at 8 a.m.
The clinic starts at 8:30 a.m. and
continue until 5 p.m.
The cost of the clinic is $60.
However, the cost for youth
under age 18, active duty mili-
tary, law enforcement officers
with ID or elected officials is $20.
Additional range fees of $10 per
event. There is no fee for children,
military, or physically handi-
capped.
Participants are taught funda-
mental rifle marksmanship skills
that are to allow a rifleman to be
accurate out to 400 yards, with
iron sights or a scope, a standard
rifle and surplus ammo. Most
of the instruction at a Project
Appleseed event is conducted
on the firing range at 25 yards,
at reduced size targets to simu-
late 100 to 400 yards. Students
Hill learn rifle shooting from the
standing, sitting, kneeling, and
prone positions, sight alignment,
and breath control, along with
safe gun handling, proper use of
a sling, and Revolutionary War
history.
Please bring your own ear/
eye protection, a rifle with sling,
ammunition, rifle mat, bug repel-
lent, hat, sunscreen, a packed
lunch, snacks, drinks, and plenty
of water to stay hydrated.
A .22 caliber rifle is recom-
mended, but you can use a cen-
terfire rifle if preferred. About 250
rounds of ammunition will be
needed per day.
To register online, go to www.
appleseedinfo.org. For more info,
contact Brian Fulwood at knbful-
wood@beUsouth.net.
Meyer Cardiology, PC
Dr. Thomas Meyer, Cardiologist
Monroe Regional Medical Complex
t20 N. Lee Street Forsyth, GA 31029
Comprehensive Cardiac Services
Call (478) 745-7456
Walker Chiropractic Clinic
Dr. Steven Walker
255 Tiff College Dr Forsyth, GA
Mon - Wed, Fri: 9-6 Thu, Sat by Apt
Physiologic Therapeutics
Chiropractic Sports Physidan
Call (478) 994-1562
Call
Carolyn Martel
"to advertise your
area of expertise!
478-960-2259
Forsyth Intervention
Services & Training
Anger Manager er t, SubstarKe Abuse,
General Counseling, and Morel
32 East Main St Forsyth, GA 31029
forsythintervention@gmail.com
forsythintervention.com
Call (470) 236-3478
Deena Holliman Smith,
DMD
205 Medical Court Forsyth, GA 31029
Mon - Thu: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
General Dentistry
Call (478) 994-1171
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466ORivers8 Par Blvd
312
acon,
Mon- Fri: 8:30 am - 5 00 pm
i,
II
Georgia Dermatology
Russell Harris, MD
Deborah Moore, PA-C
101 Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Forsyth, GA 31029
GaDerrn.com
Call (478) 994-5281
Monroe County
Hospital
88 Martin Luther King jr Dqve
Forsyth, GA 31029
mo n roehos pita I.o rg
Call (478) 994-2521
Piedmont
Orthopaedic Complex
4660 Riverside Park Blvd
Macon, GA 31210
Mon - Fri: 8:30 a - 5:00 pm
Call (478) 474-2114
Toll Free (800) 338-5141
i!i!i!!!i!!ii!iiiiii!! ii!i
Castleberry Drug Company
Jep Castleberry, RPH
Laurie Parkerson, RPH
Medicaid, Medicare &
Most Insurance Accepted
67 North Lee St. Forsyth, GA 31029
For All Your Pharmaceutical Needs
Call (478) 994-2051
Brandon S. Pinson, DVM
Animal Medical Clinic of Forsyth
60 South Jackson St Forsyth, GA 31029
Man - Fri: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Sat: 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
a nimalmedicalclinicforsyth,com
Call (478) 994-4986
Caldwell Veterniary
Hospital, LLC
Butler Caldwelt, DVM
951 Hwy 41 South Forsyth, GA 31029
butlercaldwell@bellsouth.net
caldwellvet.com
Call (478) 994-8228
Call
Carolyn Martel
to advertise your
area of expertise[
478-960-2259
Affordable Pet Care On The Move!
Dr. Kevin D. Smith 478-973-7733
Mobile Veterinarian Forsyth,GA
d r.smith@prima rypetcareforsyth.com
