Page 18 - Spring 2021

from the Extension Office is to plant hawthorn and mayhaws to attract a wide variety of birds.
The three most important factors to attracting birds are planting native species, attractive feeders and making or purchasing sturdy bird houses. And although some birds prefer berries, birders like the McNeills have to be careful about berry bushes getting wiped out by deer.
“I planted a blueberry bush; not for us, but for the birds,” said Michelle. “The waxwings and mockingbirds will eat berries.”
Reeves said the hummingbirds go for the brightly colored and tubular flowers, such as bee balms, daylilies, columbines and lupines.
Michelle has been fortunate enough to photograph a hummingbird’s wings as it goes for the nectar. No bird has faster wings than the hummingbird, which can flutter its wings at 85 beats per second. And its heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute.
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society recommends the following plants and flowers to attract hummingbirds: flowering crabapple, tulip poplar, locust, chaste tree, butterfly milkweed, bee balm, canna, cardinal flower and columbine.
As part of the wildlife certification process, a trained volunteer
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PAGE 16 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021