Me too Texwolverine.

Are they usually in Texas by now?

Hey Tex and Roxie. I don't think the rubies hit East Texas until the 2nd to 3rd. week in March. At least that is the way it always was back home in nw Louisiana. My ex husband is in Floresville and has seen three but he thinks they are western migrants passing through. It is funny that you mentioned the lack of reports being due to Katrina. We were just discussing that very same thing earlier today and one of our gardeners posted a recent picture of her former home on the gulf down at the bottom

Penny

Thanks Penny, I was pretty sure they weren't due here for a week or two, but the feeder is up just in case.

From what I've seen, the Central Gulf Coast won't provide too much food for the hummers.

Roxy,
There may not be as many people on the gulf with feeders out as I am sure they are concerned with more important issues if they are even still there. However there are a lot of native plants coming into bloom down there and a lot of plants at the garden centers that are open with easy access for a hungry migrating hummer. We have to realize too that hummingbirds have made this northward journey for many years without our help (even though we think they need us).

Penny

Penny, good point.

Roxy,
Thare are now in and all around Houston.

Penny

Except for my house, it seems.
:)

Roxy, Hang in there Houston and all its little burbs are REALLY BIG and s p r e a d o u t. Those little guys have a lot of territory to cover. You could be me and have to wait at least another 7 or 8 weeks for the first one to arrive.

Penny

That's true Penny. I've got both feeders out and have been staking out the back porch each evening. I am sure it's just a matter of time and patience.

But you are right, at least I don't have to wait 7 or 8 weeks!!!

I was going to post, but didn't have to, thanks to all of you. I just hung my feeder out and was wondering if anyone in the Houston area have spotted any hummers yet. I'm just north of Houston and mine usually arrive around the 3rd week in March. I love how they check out the very spot that last yrs feeder hung! Well, it's ready and waiting and I am too! :)

Roxy,
I was just checking last years records for the Houston area and the first one to hit Texas was on Mar. 9th. so you are still ahead of the game.

Grandmapoo, They may have a tiny brain but they do remember when they last visited a particular feeder or flower and where they are located. One of the few animals beside humans that can do that.

Penny

Thanks Penny, I guess I am just afraid I will miss them or they won't come back to my feeders at all. My feelings would be so hurt! LOL!

They will be here, I just need patience. Besides, the weather is perfect for sitting on the back porch with a frosty beverage waiting on the Hummingbirds.

It could be worse. :)

Penny, yes they are amazing for such a tiny creature!

Roxy, we're in the same boat. Now you need to share your frosty beverage! I'm even more anxious since I hung up the feeder. I've been more outside than inside today and it is a beautiful day. Couldn't be better for being on hummingbird watch! Oh BTW, I almost forgot to ask, do you have a great choice of climbing vine for our area that the hummingbirds love? I now have an expanse of fence waiting for some vines! :)

Right now I have mexican flame vine and carolina jessamine in bloom, I am not sure yet if they like it since they haven't shown up yet...but they LOVED my bougainvillea last year.

Good luck Grandmapoo, I hope you see your first today!

If anyone needs a reminder what they sound like, there is a link to play their song at this site...

Here is a link that might be useful: Ruby Throat Song

Thanks Roxy. No sightings yet. They also love my Turk's cap, but it's not a climbing vine. I have to replace my 2nd feeder, which hangs closer to the house. I'm about to go move the one out in the garden up closer. Then I'll have a bird's eye view , so I won't miss that very first visit! :)

Thanks for the sound clip. I miss them so much. I usually hear them before I see the first one but last year we had a very late visitor come to our front glass door and peak in while we were watching the TV as if to say "I'm here now". We have so few last year as it was the first year in this house I put anything out for them. The year before I was busy with so many other things just moving in.

This year I want as much as I had in the previous years.

hbwright I know what you mean. I wanted to remind myself what they sounded like in case I could hear them before I saw them, but still no luck.

Hummers everywhere, except for my backyard!

Patience is a virtue, I don't really have any!

Just as I was about to give up on them, one shows up today. Dressed for St.Patricks Day! He didn't hang around long, but he drank from all of the feeders. He wasn't gone an hour and a larger male came by and had a drink before moving on. I'll be glad when "my" hummers come home. Feeder Wars! ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!!!!