Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival 2009

Again this year Kingbirdfeeders.com ventured to the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival (RGV) in Harlingen, Texas. RGV is a grand event (no pun intended). This year marks its sixteenth year. Having attended last year as a vendor, I was convinced that it would be a good deal to repeat. Birders and experts come from all over the United States and Canada--some even from other parts of the globe. There are several species of birds particular to the Valley--Green and Red Crowned Parrots, Green Jays, Buff Bellied Hummingbirds, Great Kiskadees to name a few. If you want to see these, a host of opportunity is afforded you.


The trip down can be great for birding, too. The highway between Kingsville and Harlingen often is populated with hawks. It is not uncommon to see Crested Caracaras, Harris’ Hawks, Red Tails, Ferruginous Hawks, and American Kestrels.

When in need of a break from the wonderful birding, RGV offers a great trade show where all kinds of vendors offer equipment, feeders, plants, art, reading material, and information about the area and its refuges, parks, and birding centers. Organizations which support and promote conservation of birding habitats have booths at RGV, too.

When the day is done, there is always good food. One evening we closed up for the night and took the drive to South Padre Island. There we dined on the deck of Amberjack’s. The view of the bay and the cool of the evening made for a grand experience. The Oysters Rockefeller were delicious.

For five days, we talked and shared our stories, provided some good products, enjoyed hearing from where people came, marveled at some who migrate to the Valley every year for the winter. And then it was homeward bound. We had a great time; we’re looking forward to next year.

Hummingbird Havens

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have crossed the expanse of the Gulf of Mexico and have been sited all along Texas, Louisiana, and Florida and they are moving inland. The hummers have found my backyard and feeders. It is time for all of us to get our backyards ready for them.

Bluntly put, there is huge fascination for these small bundles. It is just such fascination that fuels the desire to find a way to attract hummingbirds to our yards. How does one attract these amazing dynamos to your yard? It is a question often posed to me, sometimes in earnest and sometimes in frustration.

The solution to this problem is to garden for Hummers. Special attention must be given your choice of flowers and plants for nectar and trees in which to nest. It is important to remember that these birds are visual. They do not rely on odor, for they have no sense of smell. Consequently choose plants with colorful tubular flowers, red flowers being the best. And yes, there are plants that serve to attract butterflies as well as hummers. My preference is to choose native plants particular to your region, for these require the least maintenance and watering.

In the south, Texas Betony, Penstemon, Bee Balm, Blue Sage, Shrimp Plant, and Turk’s Cap are great choices. In the west, Firecracker Penstemon, Obedient Plant, Columbines fit the bill. In the northeast, one might try Fireweed, Cardinal Flower, Bee Balm, and Virginia Bluebells.

Nesting trees include but are not limited to Red Buckeye or Tulip tree in the south and southeast, Desert Willow in the southwest, California Buckeye and New Mexican Locust in the west, and Basswood in the Northeast.

One should offer feeders as well as flowers to these buzzing wonders. True, the birds will be attracted to the flowers and feed on them first. Yet, feeders will augment the food supply and continue to supply nourishment long after the blooms are gone. One should consider, when buying a hummingbird feeder, one that has a large number of ports. The more ports the less fighting will occur among these territorial birds. One even may want to buy multiple numbers of feeders and place them in different location around the yard to lessen this territorial conflict. Place feeders so that there is plenty of room to maneuver and escape for the hummers but close enough for easy access to cover. In other words, it is best if there is 360 degrees of access around the feeder but not too far from a tree or bush into which the hummer can find shelter.

Preparing your garden and feeders is a great outdoor adventure. This is one activity that will provide many months of delight. So, get things humming in your backyard!