I live in Z8a (I think). Last year I didn't start feeding until the end of May. This was my first experience with feeders. What is the earliest I can expect to see activity here in South Carolina? Will the unusual winter make any difference from the usual migration?
When can I expect hummingbirds ?
Heres a migration map that will show you all the sightings as they migrate.
http://hummingbirds.net/map.html
Thanks, I should be seeing them with in a month. Great!!
Be sure to go back to it later and it will show the actual sightings.
This is a great site, I have been using it for years, Putting up my feeder as they get closer. I also look to see when my flowering quince and columbines start to flower as these are hummer candy in my yard for their arrival.
There could be a sighting of one anytime now in Lousiana. The first was was sighted on Feb. 25 last year. Mine show up the around the second week in March. I am in the very southeast corner of Alabama.
Here is a picture one of my visitors from last year.
Gessie, you might be surprised this year; we have had quite a few visiting all winter down here. Our neighborhood participated in the backyard bird count last week and I noticed may people reported seeing hummers. I do not use feeders but plant lots of flowers that attract and feed them.
I suspect that as soon as you have plenty of blooming plants you'll have visitors.
Yes, theres been a lot overwintering in Alabama too.
Yes they have. I saw one in Orange Beach in January.
I saw my first one on April 5th last year. However, just 35 miles west of me in Leesburg, Ga. hummers were tagged that overwintered there.
I attended a workshop with Fred Bassett a bander from Montgomery, Alabama this January and learned that it is not unsual for the rufous to overwinter in this area. A female rufous was what I saw down in Orange Beach, Al.
I have not seen a sighting posted to the Migration Map but it could happen anyday now. I would not be surprised that there are not some already along the gulf coast around Lousiana and Texas. An exciting time of the year.
Two Rubies were sighted in Lousisana today by Nancy L. Newfield. Nancy is the author of two good hummingbird books.
I know Nancy. Have to go check out her latest bandings.
I have had the same experience as ardesia with the hummers.We have quite a few who spend the winter at the beach.I saw my first last week but there have been many reports of sightings all winter.
We have a local bird man who writes a column in the local newspaper with updates every weeks.
They only track the ruby-throated ones apparently. There are many other kinds.