FInally saw my first Hummingbird this year!

17 years ago

I'm very excited, I have finally seen a hummingbird in my yard! Two times, actually, several nights ago at 8:15 pm and tonite at 7:15 pm.

It was a male ruby-throated hummingbird, and he was on the Columbine "Spring Magic Rose & White", Pink Coral Bells (just some old-fashioned variety from the lady next door), and a dark red dianthus called "King of the Blacks". He was also checking out some "Hummingbird Red" Nicotiana.

I have never put out a feeder, and have been really busy putting in a butterfly garden this spring that has a few plants the hummingbirds like too, such as a big patch of red bee balm.

So I have a couple questions - since this hummer was a male, do you think he would be territorial about my yard?

Also, I wonder if I have missed previous visits, like when the bleeding heart was blooming and HUGE. I'm not usually out in the garden at dusk, and that is the time that he has shown up. Are hummers more active at that time than during the heat of the day?

Comments (4)

tracey_nj6
17 years ago
Congratulations! The first time I had a hummer I was practically stunned, and was afraid to move!
Mine are more active after 6pm as well. My first sighting a few years ago was at 7:45pm. My female was recently there at 8:30 the other night, I guess getting in every last sip she could! Despite having plenty blooming for the hummers now, they still prefer my feeder, although I did catch the male checking out the Penstemon eatonii and the female hitting the annual salvia in the window box on the deck railing...
jenny_in_se_pa
17 years ago
You will find that they are up early in the morning too. Mine show up at the crack of dawn before the sun is up - this morning I had one at 5:14 a.m. I believe they need to fuel up before going out to hunt their main diet (insects) and will tend to be active early in the morning, sometime just before noon, and late in the afternoon and into evening through until after sunset. The rest of the time, they may be perching and defending territories. Once the babies hatch, you may see more visits throughout the day.
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myoneandonly
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I, too, saw my first hummingbirds this year. In early May, when it was still quite chilly in the morning, I saw a male. There's no mistaking what you're seeing, with those gorgeous irridescent green feathers and ruby throat. I couldn't have moved if I'd wanted to. He peeked at me over the balcony railing like a little helicopter rising, hiding, then rising again, just inches from my face. Then there's that low pitched whiring sound their wings make, absolutely amazing. Right now I only see females, no males. Based on their shapes, and from which direction they come and go, I believe I've identified two. There is now possibly a third, a wee, tiny thing that is so small she doesn't perch on the feeder, just hovers when she feeds. I guess she can't reach. Isn't it wonderful how joyful these little birds make you feel.
wedge
17 years ago
Congrats! It seems that the first time you have the good fortune of a visit, it's a mesmerizing experience. Not that subsequent visits are any less special of course.
We also had our first encounter last week. After being inspired to create some sort of hummer-friendly space after our visit to the Arizona Sanora Desert Museum last winter, I was beginning to wonder if my work had been in vain. Then, as I was out weeding in the afternoon, I heard what sounded like the biggest bumblebee in the world beside me. Somewhat concerned, I turned to see a very large ruby-throat hovering in front of the coral honeysuckle vine. Shortly after it left, we were visited by a much smaller, bright green ruby. It stayed for several minutes, feeding on the honeysuckle, cardinal flower and various salvias we've "installed."
Here's to more visits and further encounters with the little winged wonders!