August makes us think about pollinators….bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It’s their time to shine as they pollinate plants and get ready for cooler weather. Many are contemplating migration or hibernation for the winter.
And what better way to learn about our pollinators than by attending Sugar Grove Nature Center’s Hummingbird and Pollinator Festival on Saturday, September 2 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. It’s free and provides a great learning experience for children and adults.
Those Fabulous Flying Jewels
Hummingbirds are the flying jewels of the sky as their emerald green backs and the males’ red throats flash in the sunlight. The Hummingbird and Pollinator Festival is your opportunity to see licensed bander Vern Kleen catch and band these tiny jewels for research.
You may be one of the lucky ones to hold this smallest of birds (weighing less than a penny) in your palm, feel its tiny heart beat and watch as it flies back into the wild. Learn more about why hummers are banded and what their migration flight is like from Deanna Frautschi (that’s me) and Jeanie Morse as we present hummingbird education workshops at the center.
Want to know what flowers hummingbirds like and why we feed them sugar water in addition? Find out at our seminar about their favorite flowers and feeders.
See photos of them in my yard as they go about their daily routine feeding every 20 minutes to keep their energy levels going while their wings rotate 76 times per second and their hearts beat over 1200 times a minute.
What about bees and butterflies?
There will be learning experiences at the festival about the importance of bees in pollination and what is being done to encourage them to habitat in Illinois. As a prime source of pollination, it’s important we cultivate bee populations.
Butterflies also help with pollination and you’ll hear more about them and learn about migratory habits of Monarch Butterflies….those amazing and beautiful insects that flutter into our lives and out as the last generation of the year migrates toward Mexico for the winter.
You may even be lucky enough to see some flying free in the wildflower fields surrounding Sugar Grove Nature Center while you’re here attending the Hummingbird and Pollinator Festival. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn together about pollination and the importance of our pollinators.
Hope to see you there!
Deanna Frautschi is a local Naturalist who is passionate about connecting families with nature. Using her knowledge of wildlife and her photography skills, she helps others enjoy the nature around them. If you have any questions about exploring nature with your children and grandchildren, you may contact Deanna at Decardinal@aol.com. Join the hundreds who follow her on Facebook where she posts photographs and short video clips of birds and other wildlife taken on her travels as well as in her yard. You can also join her "Nature Lady Lessons" and "Hummingbirds Anonymous" Facebook group pages.
Photos by Deanna Frautschi.
