Pat Sutton to Lead Tours of Private Hummingbird Gardens

CAPE MAY – Mid-August is the peak of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird migration, and there are probably more hummingbird (and butterfly) gardens tucked into Cape May County than anywhere else in the country. Nobody knows these gardens better than Cape May’s own naturalist, gardener and author, Pat Sutton. Join Pat Aug. 15 through the 17th (one, two or three days – your choice) as she leads us through a diverse array of County gardens from North to South. These are private gardens that have hosted nesting hummingbirds since May and are now attracting dozens of migrants. Pat will point out the importance of native nectar plants, healthy insect populations, water sources and adequate cover in each unique garden.
Pat begins the tours at her own garden in Goshen (North Tour) on Friday the 15th then will move to the Cape Island Tour on the 16th and finally the Mid-County Tour on the 17th. Choose just one tour or take advantage of the discounted rate by taking all three. Tours cost $35 each for New Jersey Audubon members and $45 each for non-members, or $90 for all three tours for members ($115 for non-members). Tours begins on site at 10:00 each day and last until 3:00; a bag lunch is recommended. Reservations are required because each tour is limited to 25 persons.
Before taking the tours it is recommended that you download, print and bring the NJ Audubon article: “How to Create A Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden,” and Pat’s own book, “Recommended Plantings to Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies and Moths.” These publications are available at: http://www.njaudubon.org/sectionbackyardhabitat/createagarden.aspx and /recommendednectarplants.aspx.