Winston County Library - All Aflutter on Friday

The Winston County Library was all aflutter on Friday with talk of hummingbirds and butterflies. Dianne Patterson and Margaret Copeland of the Oktibbeha County Audobon Society provided information to local residents  about creating habitat in your yard and garden that will attract the ruby throated hummingbird and a variety of species of butterflies. The pair also provided some interesting facts as well, including:

• The hummingbird migrates across the Gulf of Mexico each year in a 16-18 hour flight.
• Nests are built from spiderwebs and dandelions and are about the size of a walnut.
• Hummingbirds can see up to 3/4 of a mile and their forked tongue is actually longer than their bill.
• In our area, hummingbirds can have up to 3 hatchings during the year.
• Limit or eliminate pesticide use around your flowers to prevent harming hummingbirds & butterflies.
• There's no need to buy the "red nectar" found in stores- just use 4 parts water to one part granulated sugar & dissolve thoroughly.
• Nectar placed in hummingbird feeders should be changed every 3 days.
• Place your feeders in close proximity to reduce the effects of a dominant bird and to make maintenance easier.
• Native plants that flower & produce nectar are usually more attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies than hybrid plants.

Participants were provided with a list of plants that are especially attractive in our area. They include:  several forms of Savia (Coccinia,Guaranitica,Black & Blue, Rosebud, and Greggii) Turks Cap, Manettia, Little Cigar, Pentas, Butterfly Bush, and Lantana.