A few visitors began attempting to feed hummingbirds by hand in 2001 and in 2002 the program became official, being offered once a week. 

For the next couple of years, the program drew a lot of attention from park visitors and from Ruby-throated Hummingbirds!  As many as 10 feeders were maintained by the nature center's staff, being cleaned and refilled daily.  As much as 80 pounds of sugar were used each summer.   By 2005, as many as 25 hummingbirds could be seen at one time.  Participants in the program had about a 50% chance of hand-feeding.  But, the most patient visitor was successful, as the last person "standing" always hand-feeds.

By 2006, the program had grown to "out-of-control" proportions as the media caught on to the event and featured it in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Ohio Magazine, and Midwest Living.  The program was also featured on television's WSAZ in Huntington, W.Va. and the Ohio Division of Wildlife's PBS show, Wild Ohio.

 

If you feed hummingbirds at home, don't forget the Lake Hope Hummingbird Oath:
"I promise to clean and fill my feeders daily"

Hummingbird Links:
The Hummingbird Society
Hummingbirds.net

      
Feeding Tips:     
       Clean and fill your feeders DAILY
      Use a bottle brush, no soap or cleaners
      
       To make nectar, use ONLY four parts
       water and one part table sugar

       Red food coloring is NOT necessary  
       and may be harmful
      
       Keeping your feeders out past Labor
       Day will NOT prevent hummingbirds
       from migrating south


 

Hummer Facts:

      Hummingbirds  DO NOT
       migrate on the backs of geese!  C’mon!

       The RUBY-THROATED is the only
       Hummingbird species to nest in Ohio

        The RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
       occasionally passes through Ohio
       during migration

       Their heart beats about 1220 times
       per minute when flying
           
       Wings beat 60-80 times/second
       during normal flight

Don't miss hummingbird expert,
Allen Chartier's visit during the summer 2008! 
Date and time to be announced.