Illinois Extension

Attracting Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds to Your Own Backyard Pollinator Garden

Have you noticed different birds at your feeders? Although ruby-throated hummingbirds are expected visitors to gardens east of the Rocky Mountains, several species of vagrant hummingbirds have been documented in Illinois. Did you know that there are citizen science projects looking for your observations on these magnificent creatures? Join Horticulture Educator Kim Rohling to learn about the natural history of the ruby-throated hummingbird, tips on supplemental feeding, and native plant species that are attractive to hummingbirds.   

• Saturday, March 9 | 10-11 a.m.
   Cache River State Area Wetlands Center, 8885 IL-37, Cypress, IL 62923

• Monday, April 15 | 1-2 p.m.
   Giant City State Park Visitor Center, 235 Giant City Rd, Makanda, IL 62958

• Wednesday, May 8 | noon -1 p.m.
   Rend Lake Project Visitor Center, 11981 Rend City Rd, Benton, IL 62812

• Sunday, May 19 | 1-3 p.m.*
   Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, 8588 IL-148, Marion, IL 62959
   *This seminar is a part of the Nature Dialogues Series.  The presentation will be 1-2 p.m. Other activities could extend this program to 3 p.m. 

After each program, Kim Rohling can take interested parties on a short walk to look at species planted at each site’s pollinator garden (weather permitting).

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, contact Kim Rohling at kimrohli@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your needs.

Contact Information

Note- The May 19 program at Crab Orchard is a part of the Nature Dialogues Series. Other activities could extend this program to 3 p.m.

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.