If you monitor the migration charts at hummingbird.net, you will know that the spring migration has begun. Typically, my area is one of the first to report hummingbirds, but not this year. El Nino has given us a cold, wet winter, and food is in short supply. My feeder is out and I am scrounging for blooming hummer plants. Let us all do our part to support our little friends in their trek. Many thanks. Deborah
Hummingbird Migration is ON
My feeder is out too! I can't wait to see our little visitors! Where have they been seen?
We have the Ruby-throated and Rufous migration maps posted in the Bird Watching forum here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1077643/
Florida and Texas are the first states listed on the map then Alabama reported their first today.
Thanks!
I normally don't know the difference between different species, so if I saw one, I couldn't report it.
I cleaned my feeders, made new "juice" & hung them up today - no signs of Hummers yet, but we're OLO -On the LookOut! Funny, in past years, my sure sign for hummers has been ready-to-open buds on my perennial sage. Not a single bud in sight, but my red Buckeye is not far from blooming, & the hummers LOVE those! Samantha
Thanks for the heads-up, although I'm far enough north it will still be awhile. I'll keep an eye on the map. Last year was the first year they stayed for more than "just passing through", so I'm going to be prepared to provide better for them this year.
Good news Samantha. There was a hummer sighting in Georgia today. None in Louisiana yet. It has been a cold winter, and a lot of things which would have begun blooming by now are just getting ready. I had read that hummers liked red Buckeye, I'll have to hunt one down. This weekend I planted some blue salvia and plumbago, both blooming, of course. And congratulations willowwind! Up until now I have only had "passers through." We lived in the middle of New Orleans on a moderately busy street. Too busy for hummers. Anyway, we moved in December to Mandeville, which is across Lake Pontchartrain from N.O. I am really looking forward to hosting hummers for the summer.
Thanks for the good news, gazer! I'll keep my eyes peeled! I hope you get lots of "stayers" this summer! Samantha
Had my first visit today and I did not have my feeders ready shame on me!
Maybe another will come by - be ready for that one!!
My feeders will be out in the morning!
Hooray!
Viceroy
How is Kissimmee............ Get your feeders ready, don't want to miss those cuties coming to your yard....
Janet
transplant to the north pole (well it seems like the north pole when you have been use to sunshine....)
DRUMROLL, PLEASE!!! Had my first visit of the year from "my" hummie! I first saw him perched in my (leafless) dogwood tree in the courtyard, near my 2 feeders, my perennial sage (which is just beginning to bloom) & my red Buckeye, which is blooming! I was working about 20 feet away in another bed. He took a sip from the new window feeder I put up, then came over to where I was working to say, "Hi, lady - I'm back!!!" They are so hilarious!! But I have missed them, & his arrival tells me SPRING is finally here!! So, very Southern Georgia has hummers!
Good deal! I've had two sightings so far.
Congrats Graceful Garden. There is nothing like a first Hummer sighting. I saw my little hummer today, he was sampling the new Agastache that I planted for him, then he went for the red Salvia.
how about yall sending them up north along with spring weather.....LOL
I want hummers..... the last two years since starting my garden I've gotten the moth hummers and last year a few that loved my butterfly bush in the front yard and by the front door, which is why I planted it there so I could be sitting on the couch and watch them out the front door.... 8 ~ )
Janet
Hooray, gazer! Glad he could enjoy the fruits of your labors!
Hold on, Janet, they're coming. I was so antsy this year due to their late arrival. But I'll be honest, it was a tough winter and they needed to arrive later. I used the time to work on my garden and set up new perennials (sp?) for the hummers. We'll cheer with you when they arrive.
Saw my first one yesterday and I was thrilled. I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area and it has been colder this year and I was surprised to see one this early.
All right, Frannie. There is something very special about the first spring hummer sighting. I guess it is an announcement that winter is over. This year, we are all so ready for spring.
My first one showed up over the weekend. Came to the back garden area and just buzzed around as to say hi. Then this afternoon, I was working in the front garden and was being watched from afar the majority of the time.
saw my first one last week... it arrived about a week later than last year.. I set my feeders out march 1st...