I checked the migration dates at hummingbird.net, and the first sightings of Ruby Throats in my area (just north of New Orleans) was 2/27 last year. The feeders are going up this weekend. I am excited. It has been a cold winter for us, but spring is very near.
Migration begins soon
I'm really wondering how the harsh winter up here is going to affect the hummer #s this year. I still
have about 1 & 1/2ft of snow on the ground. A lot of shrubs & perennials are buried under ice. I
wonder if all this is going to cut down severely on the insect population this summer.
Hi neighbor :)
I cleaned all of my feeders out today and will be putting them out this weekend or early next week. I am also looking for some simple red annuals that will hopefully guide them in the right direction.
Jennifer
I guess I didn't realize they arrived so early. Glad I am seeing this.
I opened the thread because I thought it was about Monarch migration, I know they start soon too.
Thanks
I, too, am glad that I thought about the impending Hummingbird migration. I will go ahead and put out the feeders next weekend. I have no idea what I am doing but I guess it would not hurt!
To Carol 13, I worry also about how the cold winter willl effect Hummingbird feeding. I have nothing blooming except cyclamens, and I have no idea about the insect population. Perhaps feeders will be more important this spring. To jlp222, my feeder went up today. My husband and I just moved from New Orleans to the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. In New Orleans, I would only occasionally have a hummingbird at my feeder during migration. Until last year, I went for a period of 3 years without ever seeing a hummingbird. I was very sad about that. But I am now excited about living on the northshore and hosting my local hummingbird population. And to Sheila in Fort Worth, I hope Monarchs don't travel soon. My milkweed looks like dead twigs. New Orleans proper is an incredible micro-climate. The north-westerly winds are heated up by the lake, and temperatures in New Orleans rarely reach freezing. But I can tell you that for this year, gardens in New Orleans have taken a big hit from the cold. I can only imagine that migration for birds and butterflies will be slowed this year. We shall see. Feeders Up!!!!
Gazer, I am so excited about our little visitors. Where on the Northshore did you move to?
Snow is predicited here today, but I will hope it is our last cold spell.
Feeder is out!!!
If I somehow have posted a reply twice, please forgive me. I am a computer geek. I now live in Mandeville, La. Specifically, we are in Beau Chene. The bird population here is amazing. I have a pair of Bluebirds that have started feeding at my feeder. I think it is the peanuts that I have incorporated in my mix. I chopped up some dates today for them, and will get some raisens (sp) for the future. My personal quest is to provide for the hummingbirds. It will take a little time, but I am going to transform my property into a bird oasis.
You go gazergirl!! That is a worthy goal.
The Turks Caps would be great in your area and the hummers love it.
Oh, those are very pretty! I hope I can find some plants, since I am already germinating too many seeds.
Typo, here's the right link http://www.hummingbirds.net/
I think I saw one last week. (It was moving fast and off to the side.) It's been colder than usual in the temperate parts of Mexico, too, so maybe the birds know they need to be migrating a little later this year. There's sure not much for them to eat here yet.
I haven't seen one either, but I noticed yesterday afternoon that the nectar in my feeder had gone down a little. And a little more today. It was a cold winter, but a serious warm up began about 2 weeks ago. Early bloomers like flowering pear are in full bloom. Yesterday, I found some pale pink salvia at a nursery which I plan to mix with agapanthus - it should make a pretty combo.
It finally happened! I was watching the birds...and I heard a hummer! I KNEW right away! Later I saw it nectaring on the Carolina Jessamine. Well, we had a freeze last night, it warmed up in the afternoon and another freeze forecast for tonight. But before the cold front came in spring was already here!