Hum along with BRAS this weekend

This weekend, Baton Rouge Audubon Society presents two events that encourage Capital City residents take advantage of winter migration patterns and become acquainted with the nine species of hummingbird who flock to Louisiana each year.

During the summer, our area hosts only the ruby-throated hummingbird. In the colder months, the rubies are replaced by the beautiful Rufous, buff-bellied, Calliope and other species, who come to enjoy the state’s mild climate.

The annual hummingbird migration provides a fabulous opportunity for both experienced and novice birders alike. Because the birds are frequently fly through urban areas and suburban backyards, no wilderness experience or bulky, expensive gear is required to peer into the secret lives of these mercurial little creatures.

On January 18, expert birder Dennis Demcheck presents an introduction to the hummingbirds expected in southern Louisiana along with identification tips. He also reveals the various types of flowers, feeders, evergreen cover and other hummer-friendly plants readily available from local nurseries. The talk begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center.

The following day, 
BRAS offers an opportunity to apply Demcheck’s training and view this spectacular species on its Annual Winter Hummingbird Tour. 
After meeting at Brew Ha Ha! Coffee House on Jefferson Highway at 7:30 a.m., the group will carpool to the homes of several hummingbird hosts.

Both events are open to the public. To register or receive more information, email Jane Patterson at [email protected].

If you prefer to spend time in furry company rather than with feathered friends, check out these adoptable animals from S.O.S.