We were just getting past the crocus and into the daffodils when the cold hit here. I had coral bells, columbine and bleeding hearts sprouting but no blooms yet. I don't know how much their blooms may be delayed, if at all. It sounds like you've got a great hummer 'diner' ready for the little guys. I like to put out annual flowers in pots as soon as they are available in stores, just to jump start the availability of flowers. Petunias aren't as cold hardy as pansies and violas, but I know hummingbirds love them. Does anyone know if hummers can access the nectar from pansies or any of the spring bulbs? I put out one feeder last night, even though we have a winter storm warning in effect - 4-5" of snow in our area. I just want to be sure if the odd hummer is around I've done all I can to help it. I spotted one on April 19th one year!!! P.S. I didn't think to ask permission before posting the info from Lanny's site. My intent was to share very pertinent info and encourage anyone who hasn't visited his site to do so. I hope he won't mind????

Our First Ever Hummingbird. On the way to the Kitchen tonight I saw a tiny bird fly in and land on our hummingbird feeder. About the only detail I saw looked like a flash of yellow. As I crept closer to the French doors that open onto the deck, the tiny thing saw me and darted away. Wings were a blur but it could certainly move fast. I suspect that it will get used to us eventually. We had figured they hadn't found us yet but there it was. I should have changed the food two days ago so I got out there right away and change it out for some fresh food. At least the food is no longer just going to waste as we empty it out. But it was quite exciting to get our very first ever hummingbird. The feeder was a bit low on solution, too so I think that perhaps they have been working on it for a few days and we didn't realize it. It's cleaned out and fresh now so I'll be tracking it over the next few days to see if they drain it down. At some point I'll set up a film camera on a tripod with a remote release and try to get a close up photograph of one on the feeder.

I use the ant moats with plain water on all of my hummer feeders. I do have to check them for water though b/c the chicadees and goldfinches love to drink the water from them. I have bought 5 more feeders to add to my supply. They are the little 97 cent ones at Wally World. They are perfect for those who don't have hords of hummers at any one time. They only hold about 4 or 5 ounces and you do have to fill them all the way to the top or they will drip but my hummers (and chckadees) drain them daily so their is no nectar waste. I also have 3 of the First Nature feeders from Wally World which I love b/c they are so easy to clean. I only put 6 ounces of nectar in those even though I think they hold 12 or 18 ounces. I do need to start buying and storing sugar now so that I have a supply ready and waiting. I will be watching the wind and weather patterns and if we get an early warm up with lots of southerly head winds I may put my first feeder up a bit earlier than usual but the middle of April has worked out well in the past. As soon as I see reports in northwest PA I know they are getting close. One of my daughters live in Hamburg and she sees them sooner than I do. She is very close to their migration path so when she notifies me that hers have returned I know they are close at hand. Penny

Hurray! I look forward to this every year. We're buried under a new foot of snow! So, it'll be a while before they're here.