Hi, I saw my first Robin last week, I live in Cambridge, Southern Ontario. I also saw my first yellow finch for the season along with some cardinals. But the robin to me is a sure sign spring is here...........Wayne

I'm a Hummingbird newbie. I live just north of Buchanan, MI along the St. Joe river (Berrien County). We moved here May 18, 2009. Although there were no flowers of any type or a feeder, we had them coming up to our porch daily, from the first day. Guessing the lady who had our trailer before us, had feeders. It also looks like she may have had some planters. We went and got a feeder and within a few hours, we began seeing them steadily. They begin feeding around 7 am and continue until after 9 pm. I'd say we see one at our LONE feeder every 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day. All we're giving them, so far, is a pre-mixed 'red' nectar, made by Garden Treasures, that we bought with the feeder that we attached to our trailer window. We're totally captivated by them, and have begun to put in plants we've read that they like, and are going to add more feeders, just as soon as we can afford them (We're on a limited budget). Our biggest problem is that we don't know what we're seeing. Seems we have two different types, and several of each. We can only judge by their size and length of their bills. Some are very tiny and have what appears to be a black cap. Sometimes we think we see red at their necks, but when we move it goes away, leaving us feeling it's just a reflection from the red feeder, or red nectar in the feeder. The others appear to be pretty much gray; a little lighter on their chests, although sometimes we think we see some green on their backs. Some of their bills are very short, and some quite long. I have been looking at all the sites on the web, and none seem to look like ours. Ours don't seem to have the color of those I find pics of. I'm wondering could that be due to the fact the feeder is in the shade? All I know, is we never have to wait too long to see one, and we LOVE them! Our Camera quit working, but as soon as I can get my hands on another, I will be taking some pics. Would love to know where others, especially locals, gather to discuss their little 'loved ones' and any website we can get more info on local sightings. We can't afford to go out and buy books. Getting all our plants through 'Freecycle'. Any info would be greatly appreciated, and, of course, used to benefit our 'babies'!

Spring is here all right! Have baby Robins all around here in Ohio. First hummingbird this morning! Blues are sitting on 5 eggs. Same for Tree Swallows. We got a heat wave coming! Gonna be close to 90 by Thursday. Good luck with the babies! Wish I had them already! ~Tim~

Seagreen, some of the suggestions offered are, while good ones, not necessarily what you are seeking. If it's the actual tree-not a garden mini-that you seek, then you want straight-species eastern hemlock-Tsuga canadensis. And if that is the case-that your main appreciation is for the native tree itself, well then let me tell you that is just as valid a quest as that of the collectors that participate on this board. I really like some of the conifer gardens I've seen. It really is, IMO, one of the pinnacles of skilled horticulture. But that in no way compares-for me-to the wonders of growing, watching grow, cutting down, burning, hehe, let's just say a range of activities, with the woods and tree farm that has been my project since 08. Or of seeing the same processes at work in the relatively less-disturbed areas in my travels. Anyway...the main issue with eastern hemlock these days is an imported (by accident) very destructive insect know as the hemlock woolly adelgid, which is in fact decimating this tree to the east. Michigan has recorded at least a find of tis pest, but I'm not sure of the present status without doing some quick research. But in any case, check that issue out-it sounds like you can still grow hemlock in SE Michigan-but arm yourself with knowledge, should you ever have to treat your plant(s), which is doable, BTW, or if that's just not a go with you. Here in Wisconsin, so far so good. But it has tended to be the case that whatever shows up to our E, it does end up here eventually. Cold winters, blah blah. They said that about gypsy moth-we got gypsy moth. Then two winters ago, when they said it would kill all the emerald ash borers, it didn't kill all of the emerald ash borers. And so on. Would really suck-right around where my land is, it is hemlock that I see coming up as regeneration in many areas. And there is a patch of old growth on the high bans of a lake nearby-this actually has state designation as a legacy stand-so much to lose around there if adelgid comes in. +oM