Waterwood Neighborhood News MAY 2019 Issue 2 Volume LXIII SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Hummingbird Migration By Maryann Readal There are several reasons why and when hummingbirds start on their long journeys, about 500 miles from southern Mexico in the spring. The most important factor that determines the timing of hummingbird migration is the amount of daylight. Another factor is the appearance of seasonal flowers as sources of nectar. As the light levels change seasonally, hummingbirds begin to eat more to increase body weight by 25-40%. That extra fat will be valuable energy for the upcoming long flight. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that breeds in the Eastern U.S. (including here in Huntsville) and Canada. In some hummingbird species such as the Ruby- throated Hummingbird, males migrate a few days before females. This gives the male birds time to establish territories, so they can successfully court arriving females at the beginning of the breeding season. If you have a hummingbird feeder or flowers in your yard or garden you have probably seen them “dive bomb” each other for control of the territory, feeder and potential mate. Feeders should be hung outside by the first of March if not out all year. Fill the feeders with a mixture of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Do not add food coloring. The mixture must be boiled if the excess will be stored in the refrigerator for later use. During the hot summer days, replacing every 3-4 days is recommended. Migration back to Mexico occurs in August and September. Again you will see more hummingbirds coming through our area at that time. Often, very young hummingbirds or the very old ones will not migrate all the way to Mexico because they are not able to make that long trip. These birds will stay around all winter. So…do not put away your hummingbird feeder in the winter. The sugar water is just the fuel needed to power their flycatching activities. Banding studies show that hummingbirds often return to the place where they were hatched and will eat at the same feeders. So once, you start feeding your hummingbirds, you are signing on to feed them into the future as well. And remember that
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Waterwood Neighborhood News
MAY 2019 Issue 2 Volume LXIII
SPRING IS IN THE AIR!
Hummingbird Migration
By Maryann Readal
There are several reasons why and when
hummingbirds start on their long journeys, about
500 miles from southern Mexico in the spring. The
most important factor that determines the timing of
hummingbird migration is the amount of daylight.
Another factor is the appearance of seasonal flowers
as sources of nectar. As the light levels change
seasonally, hummingbirds begin to eat more to
increase body weight by 25-40%. That extra fat will
be valuable energy for the upcoming long flight.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only
species of hummingbird that breeds in the Eastern
U.S. (including here in Huntsville) and Canada. In
some hummingbird species such as the Ruby-
throated Hummingbird, males migrate a few days
before females. This gives the male birds time to
establish territories, so they can successfully court
arriving females at the beginning of the breeding
season. If you have a hummingbird feeder or
flowers in your yard or garden you have probably
seen them “dive bomb” each other for control of the
territory, feeder and potential mate.
Feeders should be hung outside by the first of
March if not out all year. Fill the feeders with a
mixture of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Do not add
food coloring. The mixture must be boiled if the
excess will be stored in the refrigerator for later use.
During the hot summer days, replacing every 3-4
days is recommended.
Migration back to Mexico occurs in August and
September. Again you will see more hummingbirds
coming through our area at that time. Often, very
young hummingbirds or the very old ones will not
migrate all the way to Mexico because they are not
able to make that long trip. These birds will stay
around all winter. So…do not put away your
hummingbird feeder in the winter. The sugar water
is just the fuel needed to power their flycatching
activities.
Banding studies show that hummingbirds often
return to the place where they were hatched and will
eat at the same feeders. So once, you start feeding
your hummingbirds, you are signing on to feed
them into the future as well. And remember that
tube-shaped flowers are a favored nectar source for
these flying acrobats of the bird world.
Photos by Deb Harlow
Spring Outing well
attended
By Mike Bercu
The Spring Outing sponsored by WIA was held
April 27th at the Pavilion. The day was glorious –
sun and spring weather – no rain.
We sold 120 tickets and many residents socialized
and met new and old residents. Thanks to Smoking
Mo’s for the wonderful BBQ, sides and drinks. The
desserts were delicious. Lisa Hayman won first and
second place. Third place went to the new builder
in Whispering Pines. Check out their model homes.
Thanks to Janus Goldsmith, Anita Paul and her
neighbor, and Sally Bercu for judging the desserts.
Each dessert winner received a Farmhouse
Restaurant gift certificate.
Next up is July 4th on July 4th. Fireworks and plenty
more all day. Stay tuned.
Fun at Waterwood Park
Daughters of Whittney Wantland - Talynn 1 yr and
Zaylee 5 yrs.
Dance at Waterwood
Pavilion Saturday May
11th
Music will be played for your dancing and listening
pleasure at the Waterwood Pavilion from 7:00
p.m.to 9:00 p.m. on May 11. Steve Pratt and Earl
McVay will be the DJs and provide a variety of
music for all. Requests will certainly be welcome
during the evening.
This is a shake-down event at the Pavilion being put
on at the request of numerous Waterwood residents.
There is no charge. Just bring you own drinks and
snacks. If enjoyed enough by the community, you
can expect more such events in the future.
Put on your dancing shoes and be prepared to have
a good time. If you don’t dance, just come and
listen to the music and enjoy the evening. We hope
to see a good crowd having fun.
Waterwood National Golf
& Recreation Association
(WNGRA) Hard at work on
our Greenspace
By Steve Turchi
Consistent with WNGRA’s commitment to enhance
the golf course and greenspace, the large bridge
located near the old clubhouse has recently
undergone a much-needed facelift and major
repairs. This project was identified in the WNGRA
Specials Project list for 2019. The old structure has
performed well over the years but was on the verge
of being shut down and required some much-needed
TLC.
Most of the existing decking was removed and
replaced. Several structural members were replaced,
an old pier was replaced, a portion of the bridge was
jacked up and releveled and all the handrails were
entirely replaced.
Ten individuals deserve an expression of
appreciation for providing the manual labor to
conduct the repairs and facelift. 6 days of work and
252 manhours were performed during the project.
Please find time to thank each of these people for
some very hard work:
Tom Brick – Project Manager
Wayne Harvey
Rick Harlow
Rick Brown
Keith Caulfield
Douglas Dick
Steve Turchi
Dannie Hubbard
Mike Sanvido
Steve Morrell
Other individuals deserving of special recognition.
• Tom Brick for his leadership, project
management skills and professional
experience ensured a successful project.
• Matt Landreau & Joe Nocito who purchased
all the building materials for the project
• Kathy Turchi for delivering much needed
lunches to the workers
• Dick Hansen for ordering and delivering the
building materials
Look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the new
bridge and all the amenities the golf course and
greenspace has to offer.
Next WNGRA membership meeting is scheduled
for June 1, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the WIA office.
Mark your calendars and come join us. Visitors and
new members welcomed.
Waterwood Women’s
League
By Tana Davis
What a busy month April was for the Women’s
League!
During our monthly meeting, Wanda Gardner gave
a very interesting demonstration on making stained
glass. Wanda donated a really neat piece for a door
prize and also a beautiful stained glass American
Flag as a raffle item for Bingo, which Teresa Brown
won! We sure appreciate Wanda for all she does for
WWL.
What a wonderful night of Bingo on the 27th with
our great friends and neighbors! It was a huge
success and so much FUN!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who
showed up to help us as well as those who provided
baked goods, donated silent auction items, raffle
prizes and door prizes, our group of bingo callers
and those who came out to play! If you didn’t come
out to play, you missed a truly great evening!
If anyone got baskets they don’t want or need,
WWL would be happy to take them for future use.
May 8th will be our final meeting for this 2018-19
year at the WIA Pavilion. Melanie Cook will be our
special speaker and the topic will be photography.
BINGO NIGHT!
MORE BINGO…..
Larry Maas and Kathy Turchi – the
Auditors!
We knew Lynn Spencer was a hoot but
who knew that Rob Davis and Louis
Pabor was so humorous??? Tana Davis is
supervising…
Big Fun!!!
Loving this bingo!!!
Make plans to attend
Bingo Night the next
time…stay tuned!
Beth Fletcher and LuAnne
Pabor are serious about this
game….
Randy Ayers wins at Bingo
Blackout! Whoot! Whoot!
Quote of the Month…
“Impossible is for the unwilling”
John Keats
Note from the Editors Rick
and Teresa Brown:
We love Waterwood photos! Please send us your
photos of pets, gardens, boats, wildlife, family fun