Re: Hummingbirds and deer
Marcia Watson-Whitmyre (mww@UDel.Edu)
Fri, 06 Feb 1998 12:03:39 -0500
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First a sighting note, then a reply to Andy's question about
deer-hummers-flowers.
On Monday, February 2, I had 4 Common Redpolls at the feeders at my home
near Fair Hill in Cecil County. Two mature males, one imm male, one
female. This was the consolation prize for being home sick with the flu.
I didn't see them later in the week despite more sick days at home. I
did, however, notice that American Tree Sparrow numbers are building: I
have 8 now, compared to 2 previously. This, however, is compared to 26 at
this time last year. Other sparrow numbers at my feeders continue to be
low: 1 field, 2 song, 5 white-throats, 0 fox, 0 white-crowns. I usually
have a much bigger sparrow population.
On deer and hummer flowers:
I have a hummer-butterfly garden that has been quite successful despite a
resident herd of hungry deer - they actually come onto my deck to raid my
birdfeeders. Native perennials are the backbone of my garden, including
Heuchera (Coralbells), Monarda, Phlox, Lobelia, Liatris (Gayfeathers),
coneflowers, monkshood, native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens, the red
& yellow form), native columbines, and native geraniums (genus Geranium,
not Pelargonium). Of the natives, I would say that the Monarda is the
number one hummer flower, and the deer don't bother it at all. The only
plants that have not done well because of the deer are the low spreading
phloxes -the deer and rabbits clean them out. The Liatris also take a
beating, but they keep coming back.
I use some non-natives for fillers and season extenders, including
butterfly bush, salvia (the taller kinds seem to be preferred by hummers,
but are hard to find in nurseries), zinnia and cleome. The hummers like
the cleome a lot, as do hawk moths.
Another good bird-butterfly plant is the non-native annual known as
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia). This is a big (4 to 6'), rangy plant with
big bright orange daisy-shaped flowers. It is such a splashy plant that
both hummers and orioles will come in to it, even though I doubt it has
much nectar. It also draws butterflies, and after the flowers have set
seed, it attracts goldfinches, chickadees, and even kinglets. Tithonia is
usually not available as plants at garden centers, but seeds are available
in all the mail-order catalogs. They will do best if started inside and
then transplanted out to a sunny place. Under these conditions, blooming
should start in July and continue until frost. I would rate this my
number one non-native annual for birds and butteflies.
All this flower talk makes me anxious for spring!
Marcia
Norm Saunders wrote:
> First of all, put me with those who like the "chattiness" of
> MDO. I don't know what people are referring to half of the time, but
> it assures me that I couldn't possibly ask a question or say anyhting
> that would be considered too dumb or irrelevant (though I won't stop
> trying).
>
> I have a question for those who know something about planting for
> hummers. I want to attract them to my yard this year with flowers.
> However, I live in Montgomery county where we have a "deer
> problem"-there are deer in the neighborhood who will eat anything in
> sight. Are there any hummer friendly flowers that deer won't eat? Any
> suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andy Rabin
> Gaithersburg, MD
> andyrab@wam.umd.edu
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