If you’re an avid bird watcher, you may be seeing an influx of Ruby Throated hummingbirds at your feeders, provided you have an appropriate feeder or flowers for them to feed from.

This influx is because these tiny, colorful and quick birds have begun their fall migration back to southern Mexico and northern Panama.

As they migrate southward, they refuel their bodies in the early morning as they travel by midday and forage again in the late afternoon in an effort to maintain their body weight.

The Hummingbird site says that August brings lots of activity with their peak numbers showing up in early September. Most are Ruby Throats with an occasional Rufous showing up in the mix.

On their way southward, the Ruby’s gather in Florida, Louisiana and along the South Texas coast in September in preparation for their final push to the south, either over the Gulf of Mexico or via an overland route through Mexico.

So to enjoy these beauties, put out an inexpensive hummingbird feeder in your backyard. And for even more thrills, put one on your windowsill for a close-up view of the only bird in the world that can fly backyards.

Since hummers have to feed between 5-8 times every hour, you can stock your feeder with a commercial hummingbird feeder mix, or make your own. To do so, it’s recommended mixing four parts of water to one part of sugar.

You may choose to boil the water first to better dissolve the sugar, which should be regular table sugar (sucrose) as they seem to like this best. And it’s the most digestible say the experts.

Regular tap water is fine but if yours is hard water, this gives the birds extra electrolytes. If it’s soft, add a tiny pinch of salt to each quart of nectar but don’t overdo it or the birds won’t drink it.

It’s also cautioned not use any red dye, honey, brown sugar or sugar substitutes as they could be harmful. And as a last reminder, keep your commercial feeders clean as dirty ones could spread disease.

It’s recommended to soak the feeder in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water, and brush away any grime on or in the feeder.

PA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION

GIVEAWAYS

The PFBC has partnered with The Rest of PA, VisitErie and Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg in sponsoring two fall fishing getaways.

First prize is a weekend getaway package from Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau and Visit Potter-Tioga Visitors Bureau.

The package includes accommodations for up to four people including lodging, meals and exposure to fishing.

Second-place prize is an Ascend 10T Sit-On-Top fishing kayak donated by Bass Pro Shops.

The public can enter this giveaway by visiting www.GoneFishingPA.com from now until November 26, or by entering in person at the PFBC table at Penn State Football’s Fan Festival outside Beaver Stadium, University Park, during all 2018 home Penn State football games.

Winners will be notified after December 19. A date, time and location for the winner to pick up the kayak will be determined in the weeks after the winner is notified.

Other prizes will be mailed after they’ve been awarded. No purchase is required and only one entry per qualifying adult will be accepted.