Hummingbirds are here. I couldn't be happier to see them in my yard for a second year, having worked a long time to attract them. My delight in spotting them at our feeders comes with amazement at their migration. Among the tiniest of all birds, they can fly 34 mph from Central America, skirting the Gulf of Mexico and across the south to Indiana - do I need to say more? These wee creatures migrate thousands of miles each spring. They may land here or make this a stop en route to their ultimate destination.

Folks who enjoy hummingbirds know we only get ruby-throated hummers in our area. Hummingbirds are carnivores, and nectar is the fuel for their insect-catching activity. Feeding red-colored sugar water or store-bought nectar is not necessary. All you need do is mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar (never artificial sweeteners or honey), boil 1-2 minutes, cool, and keep the nectar fresh. Many backyard bird feeders know plants and shrubs can be a further attraction for hummingbirds. Shrubs you may want to consider planting include Azaleas, Butterfly Bush, Flowering Quince, Honeysuckle, and Weigela. Hummingbirds are also attracted to the Cardinal Flower, Lantana, Columbine, Fuchsias, Impatiens, Coral Bells, Hollyhocks, Petunias, and Salvias. Vines such as Trumpet Honeysuckle and Trumpet Creeper can be welcoming to these small birds. Remember that red flowers appeal most readily, but yellow and blue blossoms with nectar can also be enticing.

The mystery to almost everyone is how hummingbirds migrate and find their way to your yard each year. Did you know they migrate individually and do not travel in flocks? You may get an early scout's visit before the regulars arrive. The flight and life of these birds is nothing short of awesome.

Daylight is the most important factor determining hummingbirds' migration. It is the amount of daylight and the angle of the sun that guides their path to your summer retreat where they raise their young. Some other factors that may influence hummingbirds coming to your yard are food, weather, age, and gender. Your hummers move along their journey as nectar and insects appear. Storms along the way or strong winds can delay them. Did you know that young hummers usually start later than the mature birds? They take longer to build up the strength to complete the long migration. Also, some males migrate before the females. He is sometimes called a scout and takes the time to establish his territory so he can court a mate.

Hummers consume more than their own weight in nectar each day and only store enough energy to survive overnight. This underscores the importance of keeping your feeders full of fresh nectar. Position feeders so you can see and enjoy them. One more tip: if your neighbors have hummingbirds, you are more likely to entice them into your yard. I think this is how we got ours, and what fun it is to sit on our patio and dine with the visiting hummers. You, too, may want to make this the year for putting out hummingbird feeders with the hope that these tiny jets of the bird world will add to your summer pleasures.