First Hummers of 2009

Hi All!

It's April 21 here in Virginia and I saw our first hummingbirds yesterday! The scouts usually stop off here on their way to New England and they're always males.

That's true spring for me -- when my little buzzers return. We regularly feed a dozen hummers every summer.

I'd upload a pic but haven't seen them yet today.

Vic :-D

 

Eileen:

Didn't know hummers don't go to Scotland. Glad for the swallows though. Summer isn't far off now.

Vic

 

We dont get hummers here in England either and I think they are gorgeous I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you get some photos as I love seeing these little gems. Spring is definately here already though it is still getting cold some days but I have hope, we killed our tomato plants though putting them out too early so we are gonna try gain under the lights with some seedlings.

 

i was out back after work with my kids when my oldest said he saw a birdy on the feeder we have. I was like "what, which feeder are you talkin about?"

he said the red one and i was super happy that he had spotted the first one this year and that they were here. We had talked about who was going to see the first one a few weeks ago..

Anyone know more about their feeding habits? I read that the females make nests away from the gardens with feeders because of the competing males that go after the feeder food? Not sure if i read that right though..

Do hummingbirds feed and fly off on their journey or do they nest somewhere for a while and then take off when it starts getting colder? I guess they have to stop somewhere to have the babies right? Do they nest in certain places in the U.S.?

I plan on buying 2 more feeders this week..

 

our usual scout hummer showed up two days ago! they used to get here in early March, but with the weather patterns changing, they are coming later every yeaar.

yesterday a couple more males showed up and started fighting for the food, so i put out two feeders, and now all is peaceful. the girls should be arriving shortly.

poor things, it's going to get very cold here tomorrow with high winds and possible snow...sigh...i wish our weather would get back to normal!!!

greennumb, i usually put out three feeders each spaced about 7 plus feet apart on the porch...up on the first floor above the basement. to the left of our cabin is an elderberry tree. every year the females nest in it and hatch babies. it's so funny to watch the babies slip and slide on the feeders, trying to get the gist of drinking.

also, while out in the garden, they all come and visit. they especially like it when i am overhead watering with the hose. they sit on the ground and take a bath under the spray!

 

i wonder how the birds know to go to the feeders......is red the attraction that makes them visit?

i wonder if they prefer certain types of feeder designs or locations?

i had some that stuck on the wondow but they fell off at some point and smashed. I think i needed to take them in in the winter because i think the suction cup got damaged by the cold..

 

Congratulations on your sighting. I've seen the wagtail here, that's one certain sign of spring.

 

Lucky you! I won't see any Hummers here until late May.

 

Wow! Thanks for all the great responses! We get ruby throats here in Virginia who usually stay all summer. The scouts head on up north and I haven't seen them for the past two days.

Once we're into May, the girls with their white tail fringe show up and they begin their mating rituals. The babies are so cute.

Had one conk into one of our windows last year and had to rescue it so it could recover. Picked it up in a towel and set it where it was safe.

Will get some photos of them soon and will post them here.

Happy summer sightings!