COLUMBUS, OH -- From snow one day to warm sunny skies the next…it’s Ohio in April!

As warm, southerly winds propel migrating songbirds north, it’s time to prepare your backyard to welcome avian visitors. A favorite species, the ruby-throated hummingbird, will arrive before the month ends in the southern part of the state. In northern Ohio, the flood of hummingbird reports comes during the first week in May. Flowering lilacs, crab apples, and columbine will attract hummingbirds to your backyard, as will hanging baskets of verbena and fuchsia.

If you’re planting a garden this year, save room for the hummingbird and butterfly garden seed packet, offered free to Ohio residents by the Division of Wildlife. The packet contains cosmos, zinnia, and Mexican sunflower seeds. All three produce nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. In addition, seeds produced by these flowers attract chickadees, goldfinches, cardinals, and other seed-eating songbirds. This annual offer promotes the Backyards for Wildlife project, a program designed to encourage Ohioans to provide wildlife habitat in backyards across the state.

To receive a free packet of seeds, call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or send your address to Hummingbird Seed Packet, Division of Wildlife, 1840 Belcher Drive, Columbus, 43224. The offer is good through June 15 or until supplies are exhausted.