Here's how you can help hummingbirds tackle the tough fall migration

Annually, the first two weeks in September mark peak hummingbird migration in the Tri-State. Flocks of youngsters and second-nesting females from parts way north arrive hungry, joining our "locals" at life-giving feeders. Length of day triggered their migration here and will trigger their departure for Costa Rica as well.

"Our" males, the ones that summered here, left as soon as females began their second nests, probably early July. Males to our far north, where females can raise only a single brood, probably came through here about the time ours left. Now only an infrequent male visits feeders, birds from parts to our north but where a second brood can still be realized.

By now, though, almost all feeder hordes are breeding females and hatch-year youngsters − mostly the latter. By season's end, virtually all visitors will be youngsters.

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Despite the fact that they swarm feeders in a mob, however, these youngsters migrate alone. No flocking behavior ever occurs among hummingbirds − at any age. So birds only weeks out of the nest are flying a migratory route from their breeding grounds to the Gulf Coast and crossing the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan and on to Costa Rica. Alone.

It's a route genetically hard-wired into their tiny brains.

Along the way, however, they must find food, avoid predation, and survive inclement weather along the over 3,000-mile journey. Given our penchant for bulldozing and paving and eliminating prime habitat and the risk for severe weather over the Gulf during hurricane season, hummingbirds face an unimaginable obstacle course.

Many don't survive. And if they survive the southward trip and the winter in Costa Rica, they're faced with equally unimaginable obstacles on next spring's return trip.

So to have these tiny birds in the yard seems almost miraculous. They've come a long way and have a couple of thousand miles to go − a long trip even on a commercial jet.

Needing to fatten up before reaching the Gulf Coast, hummers rely heavily on nectar, both from late blossoms and from feeders; but they rely just as heavily on tiny bugs, especially arthropods, for protein. Some experts believe hummers' insect intake makes up as much as 80 percent of their diet. Others claim the number is nearer 60 percent.

No matter the percentage, insects are strictly dependent on native plants that support the native bugs. Adding native plants, not just native perennials, to your yard will best serve hummers (as well as all other birds) on their migratory stopovers here.

Although the bulk of hummers will be gone Oct. 1, I've had them as late as Dec. 11; and one Rufous hummingbird visited from Nov. 11-25. Thus, it's recommended to keep feeders clean (scrub them every three days) and fresh (new syrup at least every three days) until about Dec. 1. Of course, should a hard freeze come our way before then, common sense says to bring feeders in, at least for the overnight hours.

Late hummers need special attention. The later they are, the more likely they've suffered from weakness caused perhaps by poor nutrition, late hatches, injury, storms, or other mishaps.

Given declining natural nectar sources even by early October, a fresh feeder may be their only hope for survival. Let's give them a chance.

For more information about birds and bird habitat, see Sharon Sorenson\'s books How Birds Behave, Birds in the Yard Month by Month, and Planting Native to Attract Birds to Your Yard. Check her website at birdsintheyard.com, follow daily bird activity on Facebook at SharonSorensonBirdLady, or email her at [email protected].