Monday, April 1, 2019

Spring 2019 Hummingbird Migration

Reviewing the Hummingbird-Guide website
I put my first hummingbird feeder for 2019 out on Saturday. I am excited to see my first visitor of this year. According to the hummingbird migration map, a few ruby-throated hummingbirds are already close to my area (Maryland).

Reviewing the Humming Bird Guide Website


Did you know that there is a hummingbird migration map online?  I have used it off and on for the past few years. Last year, I didn't use it and only thought about hanging the feeder when I spotted a hummingbird hovering on the other side of my balcony sliding door; looking at me as if to say, "come on lady, where's the food?"

Saturday morning, the closest sighting submitted to Hummingbird-Guide.com was in northern North Carolina. I've driven from Baltimore to North Carolina. If the birds basically fly straight through, they should arrive at my house any day. 

In addition to allow you and others to submit their first hummingbird sightings, the Hummingbird-Guide site has many links for different information: blog, migration, attracting, flowers, feeders, inspirational stories and so much more. 

Hummingbirds at my Apartment


This year, I made sure to consult the map. My first visitor will have a meal as soon as he/she arrives. Actually, I seem to have one pair that comes to visit me. And it may be the same pair every year - they've become comfortable enough to perch on the hanger and on a plant shelf on my balcony.

I have had the best luck attracting hummingbirds with the 1:4 sugar water and boiled water recipe.


  • Boil water. 
  • Mix in 1 part of sugar to 4 parts water. 
  • Fill and hang a hummingbird feeder


I don't like to store the sugar water in the fridge, so I add 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup of boiled/cooled water. I like working with a small amount. I have left the sugar water in the feeder for too long of a period of time and it started to turn cloudy with mold forming in the "flowers" of the feeder. For me, using only a small amount forces me to clean my feeder frequently. 

Hummingbird watching me while
I watched him/her

Related Links:

I LOVE hummingbirds. And for years I wasn't able to attract them. I now look forward to their return. I like books and movies about these winged miracles. Below are some links for those who loving these little birds.

Renaissance Woman wrote a book review about the Fastest Things on Wings: Rescuing Hummingbirds in Hollywood by Terry Masear. Read the review to see why this book about hummingbird rescue and rehab is highly recommended.

Grammie O loves hummingbirds too. She wrote 5 Ways to Guarantee Hummingbirds Will Come to You. One of the things that attracted hummingbirds to her yard were Canna flowers. Check out her article for her other tips.

Super Hummingbirds is a mesmerizing video by Nature. I can't really describe how awesome the film is. If you love hummingbirds, you'd love to see this beautiful film of them.

2014 was the first year I was able to attract hummingbirds. 2015 was the year that I documented their visits more carefully. If you think you can't have hummingbirds visit your balcony, you may be  wrong. I was wrong. You can see my balcony visitors of 2015 here and here on my Budget Balcony Living site.


Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


7 comments:

  1. Oh Dawn Rae, I am so looking forward to their visits this year too. It's only our second spring/summer in our apartment and we had them here the first year. I always plant flowers that I know they will love. I'm already planning and watching the migration maps. It will be a little while longer before they come to me, but not too much longer at all. Happy Spring!

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  2. I haven't seen a hummingbird yet this year, but according to that fabulous website map you shared, they started arriving in my area in the last 48 hours. I don't put out the hummingbird feeder any longer because it also attracts wasps in our areas. I now rely solely on my Rose of Sharon to draw them in and feed them. Thanks for sharing that site information and link. Really great!

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  3. A sure sign of Springtime -- hummingbirds and their migration north. I've never had a place for a hummingbird feeder, but have watched them many times at several relatives houses in Georgia and in Arkansas.

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  4. Hummingbirds are awesome. I love them too! I have to buy a new feeder this week and put it out so I can start taking more photos of them.

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  5. I have never put out a bird feeder so far. I'm seriously thinking of doing it so I can get a closer look at the birds who like to hang out in my yard, but I usually have berries or seeds they can easily get to in what I have planted. Our mild climate usually provides plenty of food and nectar without my help. But it would be fun to lure the birds closer to the windows.

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  6. Do you know we have 630 different species of birds in my state, but I don't believe we have any hummingbirds.

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  7. Thanks for a very interesting article

    ReplyDelete

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