Cape May hosts Tours of Private Hummingbird Gardens on August 15-16
Archilochus Colubris, the diminutive Ruby-throated Hummingbird, will be the star attraction at the Nature
Center of Cape May’s Tours of Private Hummingbird Gardens on August 15th and 16th. Photo by Patricia Sutton.
Mid-August brings the peak of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration to Cape May County, and gardening naturalist and author Pat Sutton is eager to share all of her secret viewing spots. On Saturday and Sunday, August 15-16, Sutton will lead tours of private hummingbird gardens throughout Cape May County.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been nesting in these diverse gardens since May. In fact, some females are busy raising their second batch of young while others are beginning to migrate south. Sutton will point out the magic combination of native nectar plants, healthy insect populations, and adequate shelter that enables these delightful beauties to thrive.
Seven to nine gardens will be visited each day, each one offering unique ideas to take home to your own garden. See first hand which plants draw in the most hummingbirds, which plants look good grouped together, which plants are suited for shady sites, and which tolerate harsh environments next to the ocean and bay. The gardens will offer many different designs, structures, seating arrangements for savoring the gardens, and water features, which are especially attractive to hummingbirds.
Saturday, August 15th’s tour will canvas southern Cape May County. The Sunday tour on August 16 takes participants through the best private hummingbird gardens in northern Cape May County, including Sutton’s own spectacular garden in Goshen. The tours will begin at 10:00 a.m. each morning and end at approximately 3:30 p.m. There is a limit of 25 participants each day, so call 609.898.8848 right away to reserve your spot and find out where the tours start each day.
The fee per tour is $35.00, reduced to $25.00 for New Jersey Audubon Society members. Bring lunch since the group will eat in one of the gardens each day. Before the tour, download, print and bring along (for ease of note taking) Sutton’s articles “How to Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden,” and the “Recommended Plantings to Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Moths” available at New Jersey Audubon's website.
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 8/11/2009 7:00 AM 
Categories: Birds, Recreation
Tags: ruby-throated hummingbird Cape May Nature Center tours nature walk Private Hummingbird Gardens Pat Sutton
Categories: Birds, Recreation
Tags: ruby-throated hummingbird Cape May Nature Center tours nature walk Private Hummingbird Gardens Pat Sutton
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