You get Rufous there? I'm amazed! Thanks for reporting. I probably need to freshen the feeder food tomorrow.

Susan, patiently waiting for the Monarch now! My milkweed is up, too!

Susan,

We get Rufous all the time. Some years, there are as many Rufous here as there are Ruby-throats. Every now and then we'll get some other kind, like a Black-Chinned Hummingbird. The Black-Chinned Hummers aren't seen here much in spring, but we see them fairly regularly in summer and see them even more often once the fall migration begins.

The Rufous hang out more in the back yard and will sit in the Chastetree and watch me through the kitchen window. The Ruby-throated ones prefer the front yard and the garden areas to the back yard. It is the Ruby-throated ones that will literally follow me around the yard as I work. The Rufous ones seem either more shy or less confident or less aggressive. I think they're especially cute.

Dawn

I put my feeders out Wednesday along with about five bows of red ribbon tied onto the chains and pole that hold the feeders and the Rose of Sharon and crepe myrtles. I've yet to see any in my yard during the northward migration though I do see them every year going back south. Here's hoping the bows help them notice my feeders this year.

Debra

Our red 30' x 40' barn-style detached garage/multipurpose building attracts tons of them apparently. Obviously they can see it from the sky. lol

The hardest thing in the world with either hummingbirds or purple martins is getting them to 'find' your place the first time. Once they find you, they'll be back. It does help if others in your area have hummingbird feeders and plants they like. Insects are important too because they eat lots of small insects.

Since I garden for butterflies and moths, and other beneficials, I get lots of insect activity. It does help.

Susan

I have to share a funny story. I read this post about the hummingbirds being back, and commented out loud "Oh, I need to get my nectar ready." My husband, who is watching TV and only half-way listening to me, said "Would you get me some too?" When I told him what I'd said, we both cracked up laughing.

Suzie

Suzie - too funny! I've got the same thing here!!!

I'm putting my feeders out tomorrow. I meant to do it last weekend...but too much to do and not enough daylight.

Everyone knows the home recipe for the nectar, right?

Paula

I have lots of tiny, flying insects I can see, but about the only color present in my yard this time of year is green. The hummers have no problem finding my place in summer when everything is in bloom, but I have nothing blooming in the early spring. I hung some red bows on things in the yard, but I'm thinking I should have bought more than one roll of ribbon.

Debra