First Ruby-throated of the season

[HelenB]

Today I saw the first Ruby-throated hummer - a beautiful adult male, at my feeder. About 10 minutes later the same feeder was visited by the adult male Rufous that has been here all winter. It's been a couple of days since I saw the female Rufous that was a recapture last Dec. I expect my Rufouses to be heading west very soon.

[A CHAPLIN]

Helen,

How lovely for you, doesn't it give you a good feeling when the birds are using "your" feeders.

Ann Chaplin

[crickieheather]

Yay! Did you report it to hummingbirds.net?

[HelenB]

Yay! Did you report it to hummingbirds.net?
Yes, I did, but there was already a sighting for my area a few days ago, so he may not put mine on the map! Nevertheless, he says that all sightings are useful in their hummer research.

[Lilbirdz]

Congratulations Helen! I see they're halfway through Mississippi now too. But my Mom said that she heard on the radio that this year is supposed to be exceptionally cold with the possibility of snow up into May! I'm gonna lose it if there's snow on the ground in May and the cold keeps my little friends from arriving.

If you get a chance to, snap a pic of your new guest and post it up for us to ooh and aahh over.

At least it was sunny here in grand ole Michigan today. And 34*F no less. By Wednesday it's gonna be a balmy 38*F. I'm bustin' out the shorts! Glad to hear that you've seen your first of the season! ~Nate.http://home.comcast.net/~phampton246210mi/Nate/hellobye.gif

p.s. If it's not too much to ask, tell him to look for a Hummingbird Marker in Canton if he intends to head up this way.

[crickieheather]

It'll be a high of 45 in Georgia on Wed and Thurs. I hope it's not that cold here until May! My poor garden will freeze. I'm gardening to attract more hummingbirds, and right now I have all of my plant indoors because last frost here is around April 15th. Crazy weather this year, because it was 80 yesterday! At least it'll kill off the wasps again. Maybe the strange weather is why the hummers aren't further north.

[HelenB]

Here in SE Texas it was 86*F on Sunday, but Tuesday it's supposed to only get to 60, as there's another front coming through. Maybe the hummers will back-up here till the weather improves.

I'll try to get a photo of my new arrival - the problem is that the wintering Rufous is defending "his" feeders and chasing off all rivals!!

[crickieheather]

Here in SE Texas it was 86*F on Sunday, but Tuesday it's supposed to only get to 60, as there's another front coming through. Maybe the hummers will back-up here till the weather improves.

I'll try to get a photo of my new arrival - the problem is that the wintering Rufous is defending "his" feeders and chasing off all rivals!!

Feeders, plural? I'm jealous! I don't have much room for birdfeeders where I live. I have a Hummzinger on a post just outside my back door, but no where else to hang the second one I bought! I don't have any hummers right now, and I've never even seen a Rufous. I had to get real creative with the camera arrangement to get the few pictures on my Ruby Throats last year! Good luck with the pictures on your end!