After cracking out of their shells, two or three tiny birds nestle into an area the size of a quarter. As they grow, their nest, woven mostly out of old spider webs, accommodates by stretching.

The life and times of the hummingbird and other backyard favorites, as well as how to attract them, will be discussed at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at the monthly meeting of Lake Erie Waterkeeper, held virtually.

Speaking and answering questions will be Bernie Place, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Toledo.

Orioles, due to last May’s cool temperatures, nested in northwest Ohio in larger numbers than usual, said Mr. Place.

More than 50 million people in the United States feed birds, which gives humans joy and stress relief, he said. The hobby is second only to gardening in popularity, and both activities grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Also speaking will be Sandy Bihn, president of LEW. She will explain how harmful algae blooms began blanketing western Lake Erie 25 years ago, why they continue to do so and what can be done to end the pollution.

LEW is a citizens advocacy group working to clean Lake Erie of the annual algae scourge that disrupts boating, fishing, swimming, and can poison drinking water.

The meeting’s Zoom access code is at lakeeriewaterkeeper.org.