I'm not expecting my first before May 2nd. That's when I saw my first in 2006--a lone male at my Bleeding Hearts. Although I've had a flower garden for many years and had seen hummingbirds from time to time, I didn't start feeding them with sugar water until the summer of 2005. I got really hooked on the little cuties, and paid close attention in the spring of 2006 for their return. I think it's good to remind ourselves that those first sighting reports are just that--first sightings. I think most of us don't see our first birds until at least a week or two after that, and sometimes not until a month later. Migration is spread out over a period of several weeks to ensure that the entire population is not wiped out by a freak snowstorm, a hurricane, or other disaster. A spread out migration pattern certainly makes sense, but it can drive us hummer lovers nuts when we're waiting for them to return to our gardens! The birds in our area supposedly return in mid April, but I'll be very surprised (and delighted!) if I see one that early.

Connie, you can search "test tube feeders" in the hummingbird forum and find several entries. Click on the link below and you'll see pictures of a test tube feeder that was posted to this forum. I make my own feeders, too, but don't use test tubes. I use mini glass liquor bottles. However, if you want to make a test tube one, you can tell from the pictures how he made the one he made. I think he is using a red rubber stopper that you can obtain at Wild Birds Unlimited. It is sold as a replacement part for a particular feeder. It's basically just a red rubber stopper with a hole bored through the middle. I've definitely seen them at one of our local stores, but can't remember the brand name--Perky Pet? I forget. I know it was a well known feeder maker brand. Then, all you have to do is find a scientific supply place on the internet, or if you live near a big city, you might be able to find an actual store. Search for things like laboratory glassware, test tubes, etc and you should be able to find them. You need to get the correct sized test tube with an opening that will snugly accomodate the red stopper. Scientific equipment is made to pretty exacting tolerances, so if you buy the stopper and measure it, you should be able to get a test tube the right size. Don't get the test tube first, because then you'll have to find a red stopper that will fit. That will probably be difficult. You could probably find a black one, but red ones just aren't all that common. I've looked. In addition to the test tube and stopper, he obviously used wire and red beads to doll it up and voila--a feeder! I know you were asking Penny, but I hope this helps! Here is a link that might be useful: Test Tube feeder

I thought he was gorgeous, too, Robert! Yes, I love those passionvines! I got interested in them originally, because they're the host plant for variegated fritillaries and gulf frits (and other heliconian butterflies) and started branching out a bit. I'd like to plant more, but most aren't cold hardy. We don't have many freezes down here, but one each winter is all it takes to ruin your outside planted tropical passionvines. So, I mostly stick with P. incarnata, the good ole hardy maypop. Still, I may be tempted to try another one this year. morz8, congrats on your overwintering annas! I love their rose red throat color, at least that's what their gorget looks like in pictures - beautiful! When my rufous stayed here, it was interesting how differently the sound was he made when he slowly approached the feeder. Ruby throats never make that sort of 'tinny' sound. My boy was very passive, but then, at the time, there were no other hummers around for him to compete with. Also, as I recall having read, their pre-molt personalities tend to be calmer. I recognized your post name right away, Rhonda. Only you know what a butterfly nut I am! :) The annas hummingbirds must be pretty common in winter on the west coast, janalyn? I really enjoyed feeding and watching that rufous, so we're glad to help them out down here! Sheila, I agree, there's nothing better than butterflies and hummingbirds! I would like to get a picture of a ruby throat doing his big "U" in the sky in front of a female. I heard it going on yesterday, but didn't have my camera with me. Even when I do have my camera, by the time I get it out of my pocket and ready to shoot, the display is already over. Sherry

You're quite welcome, and thank you for responding and letting me know that you read the info. Sometimes people express interest in something or ask a question, and then when you supply them with info, they just vanish into the ether. That always feels disappointing. I appreciate that you took the time to get back to me. From your experience, and the coastal South Carolina data, it sounds to me like at least a portion of the east coast migrators are down in numbers, and the ones that migrate west of the Appalachians are perhaps more numerous this year. Next year, it could be the opposite, depending on breeding success and other survival factors from now until next spring. I wish we knew more about where our birds migrate. There's information like that on some species of birds, but not ruby-throats. Your experience makes me feel fortunate to have the birds I do have, and reminds me not to take it for granted. I don't really know if my local numbers are up, down, or the same as last year, because I only started noticing them and feeding them in August. I'm glad to say they do come pretty frequently, and I doubt there's a half hour span that passes without a hummer visit. Maybe you'll see some more birds in August and September when migration picks up.