B6 Terrace Review — Wednesday, May 22, 1991 WEDNESDAY WITH FAE - Girl Guides : BY FAE MOONEY of Canada non-existent... So if we are going to invite birds to join us in our Guides gardens, we are obliged to try to reduce the hazards.” du Canada f wr. The dynamic hummer Iridescent splendour. Exquisite. Delicate. Animated. A shimmering- glistening fragment of a rainbow. No bigger than a few scant centimetres, no heavier that 20-odd.grams. A pugna- cious gem-on-the-wing. It’s a hum- mingbird, the tiniest of all birds. lis delightful antics amaze and entertain. This tiny Tinkerbell, this diminutive powerhouse, can beat its wings faster than 75 times in a second as it hovers and darts about. The low humming sound this action creates is what gave the little bird its name. Such a constant state of activity requires a constant replenish- ment of food to maintain strength. A hummingbird may feed at 10-minute intervals throughout the day. By day’s end, it may have consumed more than half its weight in sugar! At night, a hummingbird will do the equivalent of hibernating until morning. Its body temperature drops significantly; and if you were to touch it, it would let out a tiny squeak, But it would not move. Favourite pastimes of this exquisite little creature include bathing and sunning. A morning shower can be had by simply shaking the morning dew off wet leaves. A shallow pool of water in a flat rock will also do. Perched in the sunshine it will con- tentedly preen its feathers and survey its world. . Brightening the flower garden Because the little hummer feeds frequently from dawn to dusk, a garden filled with its favourite flowers will surely attract its at- tention. Some of its favourites are early bloomers such as sweet William and phlox. Other hummer favourites include honeysuckle, morning glory, fuchsia, petunia, begonia, im- patiens, gladiolus, azalea. Also currant blossoms, delphinium, foxglove, lobelia, salvia are strong attractors. The best lure seems to be the nectar of brightly coloured tubular or funnel-shaped flowers in shades of red or orange. These colours provide the sharpest contrast against a background of green. In addition to flower nectar it eats copious quantities of tiny insects and Spiders on re that are attracted by the sweet nectar. Home-made nectar A balanced diet is important to the health of a hummingbird, and some wild bird fans have expressed concern about the use of sugar water in feeders. In response, Alfred Martin wrote in Hand-Taming Wild Birds that he had been feeding sugar water to hummingbirds for 50 years, and under close observation. ‘‘I have never seen one leave a feeder,” he said, “without going directly to flowers to feed on nectar and insects. There seem to be no ill effects from the sugar...”’ Hummingbird feeders are available at several stores in town. Hang your feeder where it will be protected from wind, but in a location that will allow you easy observation of your little friend, - and easy access for cleaning and refilling. Fill the. feeder with a sugar-water solution that approximates naturally-occurring flower nectar, The following recipe and prep- aration guidelines have been recommended by the National Audubon Society: ] part sugar (no more) 4 parts water (no less) To prepare your home-made nectar first stir to dissolve the sugar in water. Boil the sugar-water mixture for a minute or two then allow to cool before filling the feeder. Store extra nectar in the refrigerator to prevent fermenting or spoiling. A couple of warnings Too much sugar in solution is difficult for a hummingbird to digest; it can even damage the tiny bird’s kidneys. Never use honey or artificial sweetener in place of sugar (this warning comes from Jody Morgan of Equinox magazine). Ar- tificial sweeteners do not provide enough calories for the hyper- . active bird and honey can cause a fungal growth in the bird’s throat which could kill it. No addition of red food colouring is necessary. The bright col- our of the feeder is sufficient to attract a hummer, When refilling (which should be done at nightfall every two or three days — daily during hot weather) first thoroughly wash the feeder in hot water. Use no detergent or soap. Vinegar or regular salt are good, harmless cleansers, if necessary. Be sure to rinse well before refilling. One your little ‘garden brightener’’ has discovered your feeder, it will return again and again. So it’s important to not change the location or neglect to refill when required. Befriending the wild and beautiful Its apparent tameness and the fact that it remains still while feeding makes the hummer an easy bird to observe at close range. A wild bird’s life is filled with perils, both natural and man-. made. In The Hungry Bird Book I read that ‘the chances of a wild bird living to a ripe old age are so remote as to be almost Contributed by Terrace _ Public Library Staff .. A major hazard to all wildlife is toxic chemicals in the form of insecticides and herbicides. From the Care of the Wild Feathered and Furred: ‘‘Unfortunately, hummingbirds are being decimated by the extensive use of pesticides. The insects on which they thrive and the flowers from which they obtain their nectar are constantly barraged with sprays...” Let’s befriend our little garden brightener, but let us also responsibly care for and protect what has been given to us to en- joy. Contact: Library begins babies’ storytime For many children library story- times and programs start when they reach two years old. How- ever, in recent years libraries have been experimenting with programs for children even younger than toddler age. Babytimes, as they are called, are Market". aimed at 18 to 24-month-old . Children and their parents and ’ focus on very short stories, finger plays, songs, and action games such as "bounces", Bounces are games such as "To Market, To Parents come with the babies and learn rhymes, games and stories and tips for activities for the under-two-year-old. Libraries that tion. children do enjoy them . TALL TOTEM DIVISION Kathy Davies 638-1245 Niarg Cooper 638-0609 have these programs have found Terrace Public Library is going to run a babytime in June from Thursday, June 6 to Thursday, June 27 at 10 a.m. Registration is limited, so call as soon as possible if you wish to register your child. Sessions will last half an hour each. Call 638-8177 for informa- The Royal Purple Lodge -216, Terrace holds meetings the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. For Information and membership, please phone 635-6643 or 635-2415. : If you have experienced the loss of a family member through suicide and would like to meet with others who have experienced the same, please call 638-0942 or 635-3178 for more information. The All-Seasons Steelers ladies’ soccer team meets every Monday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at Caledonia Senior Secondary School. Anyone oa on ‘attend. *” The Terrace Tennis Club has club nights at the Kalum Street courts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. For information, call 635-2347 or 638-1514 (Aprii to October). The Happy Gang Centre for Seniors offers the following activities: Tuesdays: 10 a.m., sewing and quliting; 7:30 p.m., cribbage and bridge. Wednesdays: 1 p.m., carpet bowling; Fridays: 2 p.m., blngo. First Saturday of every month: 8 am. to 11 a.m., pancake breakfast. Monday through Friday every week: 11:45 a.m. to 1p.m., lunch. Second Thursday of every month: 2 p.m., general meeting of the 8.C.0.A.P.0 Branch 73, For further info., contact the Happy Gang Centre, 3226 Kalum St. at 635-9090. The Terrace Single Parents Association welcomes all Interested to attend their month- ly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at 4542 Park Ave. Learning to raise the kids alone; learning to Ilve without the kids In the house; widowed or divorced; we are all building new tives. Sometimes it helps to talk about it. Phone Debbie at 635-4383 after 4p.m. or Richard at 635-7762 for more Informa- tion or to arrange transportation. HOWDOYOUDOIT HOTLINE — Your Travel In- focentre Counsellor is Just a telephone call away. When you need some answers on plan- ning your holiday trip or what to do with visitors, call the HOWDOYOUDOIT HOTLINE for some HOWTODOIT HELP — 635-2063. Terrace Pipes & Drums practises Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at the “Kin Hut” behind Heritage Park, Come join us, learn, or just listen. For more information, call Barry at 635-5905 or Chris at 635-2009. Alcohol and Drug Education Video Night at Mills Memorial Hospital in the Psychlatric Unit every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Adult Female Survivors of Sexual Assault Sup- port Group meets every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Phone 635-4042 for further Information. Battered Women’s Support Group meets every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Phone 635-7447 or 635-4042 for further Information. The Terrace Breastfeeding Support Group holds thelr meetings in the hospital education room on the first Monday of every month. Please feel free to bring questions regarding child care, the family bed, night-time parent- ing... we are more than just breast feeding. Moms with bables and expecting moms are welcome to our group. For further information, call Terry Watker at 635-3287 or Marybeth Esau at 635-4134. ; interested in joining is more than welcome to Your chance to get involved — Do you-want to support your community? Here's your chance! Big Brothers and Big Sisters Affillated is recruiting new members. Regular meetings are the third Tuesday of every month at the Inn of the West In Terrace from 7 to 9 p.m. For more Information, phone 638-0161. Anyone interested In joining a support group for step and blended familles, call Lee at 635-9055. Losses, elther through separation, divorce or | death can be a time when you may need addl- tional support. If you wish to be ina supportive | , group; please join us the first and third Wednesday of each month from 1:15 to 3 p.m. In the conference room at the Mental Health Cantre. Call 638-3325 for more information. Overeaters Anonymous support group meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Terrace Women's Resource Centre, 4542 Park Ave. Phone 635-4084 or 638-0864 for further Informa- tlon. All newcomers are welcome. The Skeena Valley Model Train Club meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at 5010 Agar Ave. In - Terrace. Large layout under construction. Everyone welcome! OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP for any persons having an ostomy or needing one In the future. A chance to share problems, concerns, infor- mation and receive support from others In the same situation. Call 635-6905 in Terrace or 632-5951 in Kitimat. CCBiTerrace & District White Cane Club — We meet the second Tuesday of every month at 1 p.m, in the Women’s Resource Centre, 4542 Park Ave., Terrace. Everyone welcome. For fur- ther information, contact Phyllis at 638-0412 or Evelyne at 635-7015. Interested in beadwork? Ladies’ Auxiliary gathering downstairs at the Kermode Friend- ship Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Class size is IImited to 10 people. In- terested persons come in and pre-register. There is no cost, so come out.and Joln in. We may have something for you. Feel free to bring a frlend with you. We also have free coffee and donuts. For more information, please call us at 635-4906 or 635-4907, Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder Support Group — Do you experience high anxiety? Or avold crowded places? We meet every second and fourth Sunday of the month at the Terrace Women’s Resource Centre at 7 p.m. For men and women who share this problem. For more Infarmation, call 638-3325. Terrace Co-dependents Anonymous meets Tuesdays.from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Skeena Health Unit. Newcomers welcome! Group contacts are Mary at 635-5518 and Valerie at 638-8714. Aduit Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) and other Dysfunctional Families will meet each Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Knox United Church, 4907 Lazelle Ave., Terrace. For more information, call 638-1333 and ask for Shelléy. The Skeena Valley Car Club will be holding regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Terrace Kinsmen Hut on the corner of North Sparks and Halliwell at 7:30 p.m. Contact Doug at 635-4809 for further Infor- mation. Se ee ete innit Ae mt Ey