Garden

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I'm in Northern VA and we saw our first hummer today.

I raced and put the feeder up.  They nest in a tree in the yard, every year.

I've seen yellow swallowtail butterfiles too.  Strange early and unseasonably hot April!

[Icegoddess]

Looking at the sighting map before I went on vacation early March, they had been sighted fairly nearby south of my, so I vowed to put the feeder out when we got back from vacation. Of course, I forgot for a couple of weeks when I started seeing the Buckeyes bloom.  I had read they follow the Buckeyes blooming, so I did remember at that point to put my feeder out.  Funny, I have a Buceye tree I planted in my yard, but it blooms about a week or two after the locals bloom.  Guess I have a more northern species.  

I have yet to actually see or even hear any hummers, but the food is either being used or is dripping out as it is disappearing.  In fact I need to bring the feeder in tonight and clean it to put out tomorrow.  I don't often see the at the feeder as I don't have a good place to put it where I can actually just sit and watch it, so I have to rely on the occasional fly-by or hearing their chatter most of the time.  Sometimes, I'll see them in the pollinator garden.  I do see a lot of them in fall when they migrate through and fight over the feeder.

Sadly, I found more plants that didn't survive December's Arctic Blast even though they were well within the range, not even on the cusp.  I'm going to have to do some re-populating of it.  May go to one of the local nurseries tomorrow and look even though the bed is not ready yet.  That's what the greenhouse is for.  

[Sweetbay magnolia]

You are quite the gardner, @Icegoddess !

It would make sense that the hummers would like a red buckye bloom.  There are different species, yes.  I could never keep them straight.

It was just a lovely moment - DH and I sitting on the porch, and the whirrr of something larger than a bumble bee flew by.

[Icegoddess]

Gardening is my "thing".  I can't say I'm good at it or have a green thumb, but I enjoy doing it.  I would rather be outside working in the yard any day vs housework.  Wish we had better soil here; heavy clay full of rocks and roots. 

[simplyfriends]

@Sweetbay magnolia   I have hummers all year long at my house. I really enjoy them. Boy do I go through the sugar!  Its gotten expensive. 

[Jk9]

The hummers are late here this year.  We have had a feeder out for about 4 weeks and just got a small male hummer feeding last week.  Haven't seen more birds and that is unusual.  The little male is continuing to visit so that is good.  

I live in upstate SC.

[Lilysmom1]

@Sweetbay magnolia There are reports of sightings here in Nova Scotia which is really early.  I record their arrival and departures each year.  They usually are not here til May 12-15.  I put the feeder out just in case.

The weather here has been unusual @Icegoddess .  The polar vortex did its thing here too.  Took all my Heather.  I planted two new ones this week and two new rhodos.  I have been moving hardier shrubs for a few weeks while they are dormant.

I had to move shrubs in 90 degree heat during an excavator job last year.  Not a good idea but it looks like they made it through winter.  While I enjoy the milder winters, the freeze/thaw cycles and polar vortex behaviour causes havoc in the garden!  

I am off to the nursery today.  LM

[CatsyCline]

i put out 2 feeders the other day - they usually arrive the 3rd week in April. most of the day i can see them on the feeder by a big window.

so far, the nectar is at the same level.  stuck a jewelbox in another window. nada...

hummingbird migration map indicates they are in the area (southern New England).

Ed. to add: one just arrived !!   a little guy!