I saw the first one of the year at my feeder yesterday. None since, though, so I don't think many have arrived yet.

Karen

Last year they were at my columbine, which is flowering right now, so I use that as an indicator, I should get my hummingbird feeder out soon. They are probably here but don't know it since I haven't seen any. They are not very numerous around here, at least at my house. I saw two, maybe three last year.

Karen

I just got my feeder cleaned and put out end of last week.
We enjoyed watching the little hummies ALL weekend long. This morning, I was out on my back patio and one scared me to death zooming by me to get to the feeder!

We had our first hummer last thurs, then again on sat. wish I had a camera one was so close to the back slider, he sat at the feeder for a while no one chased him off lol!!

Annette

Well, I have had the feeders out for a few weeks but no hummers yet...I plan on changing them again tomorrow and see if I can get them to smell it...LOL

SO glad you all are seeing them. I have been stalking up on the black and blue salvia this year, SO I know Ill see them later in the season as they LOVE it.

They were tons of them this morning but even more this evening as I type...just a constant "humm" outside my window at the feeder. They go zipping back and forth between the neighbors Cherry tree and the feeder. Here we have the tiny little Anna's hummingbirds and the Rufus :D

As for Salvia, my only perennial one at the moment is the Salvia officinalis and when they are in bloom I've seen them fight to get at it!! They love it.

Vera

Vera, I'm so jealous!! Do you have photos? Would love to live vicariously! ;)

I always go by the online map at this link: http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html Now, this is a chart for the Eastern/Central US and Ruby Throated Hummingbirds.

I usually seen one within a week of them being reported in my area.

There may be other maps for other hummers in different zones...I'm not sure.

I haven't seen any hummingbirds yet. I'm keeping an eye out though. I've seen and heard a male oriole the past couple of days. he definitely lets me know he is here!! I also saw a rose breasted grosbeak this am at the feeders. I haven't seen one of them in a long time.

Same here! I knew I was late by the migration map that said they'd been in this area for over a week, so I got mine out on Monday, too, and within 20 minutes I had one! So cool!

Would love to get pictures, but don't have the right kinda of camera to zoom in well enough from a distance. Every picture you see me posting is with my camera phone!

Vera,

Just saw the first ruby throat of the season here. I'm going about like a mad woman since I told DH to take down one which had been forgotten last year and that's the one the little fella was aiming for. Anyways, got it inside and I'm boiling my stuff to fill up the other three feeders.

WAHOO!!!!! I so enjoy those birds!

Ok threeorangeboys, took these two this a.m. just for you :D

Male Roufus....
{{gwi:386975}}
{{gwi:386978}}

Nice pics, Vera. You're pretty good with that camera phone.

Karen

How do you make that nectar? I just bought some at Home Depot last night but I got one of those pretty blown glass feeders, and it doesn't look as sparkley with the red nectar in it.

I would rather have clear nectar.

Your thread reminded me to go get a shepherd's hook and get mine ready. So thanks.

I've got a long fast lens and can't wait to see if I can get some good shots of them. I hadn't seen any for years until I started gardening again. They were especially drawn to my annual salvia I grew last year. It's kind of cream with long red spikes that stick out, that's what they dove after, attracted by the red no doubt. Salvia sangria from T&M, that's it, planted different varieties this year.

Aliska,

For the nectar boil 4 cups of water. Add 1 cup of sugar and boil for 3 minutes stirring to completely dissolve the sugar. Cool and fill your feeder. (That's how I do it - some others don't boil as long.)

You can place any remaining nectar in the fridge but we have four feeders around the house so I make fresh batches every time.

Here's a link that is quite useful. Also gives info on how long the nectar will last at certain outside temps.

Vera, the little one returned! Looks like we'll be dodging them again this year. :O)

Here is a link that might be useful: Hummingbird Nectar and good info.

tiffy, thanks! That is an excellent link, and I had no idea they need to be changed so often so I will monitor it for those telltale signs at your link.

I noticed with mine that the design is such I doubt they will be able to get at much of it so it so it will go to waste. But it was pretty, and I had to have it. Also it's going to be a little harder to clean, but I'll manage ok with it if I don't break one of the glass parts. And a magnet for a thief, so I put it in the back yard. With the clear, it won't be so noticeable. But I may have to use the red ribbon trick because it's not really very red but pink.

I would think refined sugar wouldn't give them the nutrition they need and intuit that possibly nectar gathered from flowers is healthier for them. If they have a choice, what do they choose? I'll go ahead with your recipe because it is cheap, easy enough, and . . .clear.

Mine is BR12230 at the link. My daughter was shocked I'd pay that for a feeder. I am, too! I cut corners on some things then splurge on others. But I wanted something different if I manage to get some good photos, and I don't care for the plastic ones too much. I did get a finch feeder that is like melamine, looks like a birch log. It looks really nice near my birch tree. The lower branches are gone, and I didn't want to pound anything in that because it is getting old and a cord, well, that would work but didn't want to go that route.

I know from last year that hummers are around, but I never see any goldfinches. I so hope to attract some and to be able to watch them at the feeder.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blown glass hummingbird feeders

Thanks Karen :D

The HB's love to perch on the branch right above and sometimes in the bottom center of the bailing wire loop :D You can really see how tiny those male Rufous are when they are sitting still!!