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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

FOY (first of the year) Hummingbird arrived!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male.

Yesterday we saw our first hummingbird here at Bobolink Farm our 48 acre NH property. How exciting, and fairly early, as hummingbird don't usually show up here until May. I peered out the window at 6:15 am and there he was, drinking the nectar from our hummingbird feeder.

What a long journey he must have made, all the way from Central America, across the Gulf of Mexico, to here. In the past we have stood on the coast of FL, looking out over the ocean and had hummingbirds come into view, whizzing over our heads making landfall. Just wow, knowing something that tiny had just flown about 500 miles across the gulf.

It's always so thrilling to get hummingbirds back here. We put out lots of hummingbird feeders, plant the gardens with mucho hummingbird flowers, such as Bee Balm, Salvia "Lady in Red" and Trumpet Honeysuckle vine, then enjoy the magic all summer long.

4 comments:

Kat said...

I have not yet spotted our return hummingbirds, but everyone else here has!! Ours usually arrive mid March, that is when I start putting the feeders back out. For some reason my sugar water is not lasting long. I boil the water and add sugar to a 4 to 1 ratio, water being 4, of course. I store it in the fridge. They are amazing little buggers, aren't they.

Birding is Fun! said...

My wife and kids report that we had a hummingbird at the feeder yesterday. This morning I observed both Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds which are FOY's for me. I'm excited to have them back.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Does this mean that they might arrive early in Manitoba? I can hope for that.
Blessings,Ruth

Anonymous said...

I am in northern West Virginia and received my first one May 1st! Very exciting!

Great shot --- I'm having trouble getting a really good one! They are quick!