Hummingbird Migration - 2013

It's that time again ... time to get out your hummingbird feeders and get ready for your littlest feathered friends to arrive. They begin arriving here in the Mid-Atlantic region around the 15th of March. I have attached a link to a "Hummingbird Migration Map" for you so you can see when they will be arriving in your area. Never fed them? It is a fascinating thing to watch them zip in and out and hover nearby sometimes appearing to actually "study you". The tiny "chirps" they let out when facing other hummers at the feeder is very unique. How difficult is it to attract hummingbirds? Not very. They do have to have fresh nectar and a clean feeder to stay healthy, but you can either make your own or buy it premade or in concentrated from at most mass retailers now. Feeders are inexpensive and once they discover yours, they will spend the entire summer season nearby and likely teach their offspring to come there too. Having nearby cover (or shrubs and trees) gives them a safe place to retreat to and build nests, which by the way, are amazing! Hang your feeder up high enough that they feel safe from ground predators, like cats. If you can put it in a sheltered spot like under the canopy of a tree, even better. Be sure you can get easy access to it and can see the "excitement" that takes place around it, it is entertainment in itself. I even try to "help them out" by laying out human hair (taken out of my hair brush) for nest lining. If possible, a source of clean water helps and so will some natural plants attractive to hummingbirds like petunias, salvia,  morning glories or trumpet vines. Anything that produces nectar and the brighter the better. If you begin feeding them, please do not stop. They will depend on you. Once they find your feeder they will make it a regular stop on their daily flight path. If you are patient, you can work your way into their hearts and space by just sitting quietly along side them, they will come check you out, they will feed right beside you. Grab a book or tablet and get out into your garden!