Hot July and August days can be stressful for birds, but a bird-friendly yard can attract birds — especially those fascinating hummingbirds — all summer long.
Backyard gardeners who love birds can meet their needs for shelter, food and water, ensuring that Coweta County yards will be home to a wide range of species this summer, according to Audrey Harrelson, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Peachtree City.
She will speak at the July 14 gathering of the Coweta Master Gardener Extension Volunteers’ Backyard Association at the Coweta County Extension Office, 255 Pine Road in Newnan. Admission to the 7 p.m. lecture is free, and the public is invited to attend.
According to a 2011 survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 52.8 million people feed the birds, making birdwatching one of America’s most popular pastimes. And they like to see that birds are well-fed, spending $6.9 billion annually on feeding.
Harrelson will give her secrets for attracting a variety of different species and will answer the question, “Do I need to add red food coloring to my hummingbird nectar?”
The Backyard Association is an educational program sponsored by the Coweta County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers (MGEVs). The presentations are free to the public and are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at UGA Extension – Coweta County, 255 Pine Road, Newnan. While reservations are not required, please call the Extension office at 770-254-2620 if you want to be included in the drawing for door prizes.
