I can only give you my brief experience but I had my first hummer (a female) in August 2004 during migration. She (I'm assuming it was the same one since I am in a bizarre "birds-eye" location...lol) returned in June 2005 (at least that is when I finally started seeing her) to find all sorts of plants and a feeder. She ended up staying until September. Meanwhile later that summer, 2 juvies suddenly appeared along with what was a chance encounter with a lost western hummer. I'm convinced that the 2 juveniles (both males) were my female's babies and they followed her up to my spot. The other hummer may have spotted all the commotion from their high altitude chases and stopped briefly to check things out and take a drink. So I'm thinking that if you had some regulars (particularly females), their babies may remember from last year and will check out your place. They are supposed to have good memories and I believe it.

I haven't seen any of mine this year yet, so all we can do is wait. That is definitely the hardest part.

Thanks Jenny for your reassurance and personal perspective. Can you tell I'm anxiously awaiting my flying friends return? I don't know why I thought they might rush to find me!

The good thing is that when they do find me I'll be ready, and so will their food source. Except for some large container plants I won't be able to find until next month, I'm planting the last of their garden today.

Do you have your lunchbag hanging yet? I'm still awed (and inspired!) that you used such a simple item/technique to attract your hummers so high up!

The bag is out! I put it out around the last week of March. LOL

Claire, I'm in the same situation as you. Last August, our trumpet vine finally began to flower, after years of only putting out foliage. The site is half shade, so the vine never really put out that many flowers, but it was enough to attract a female, and some juvenile males. After buying a commercial feeder that didn't work, I immediately improvised a feeder from a small sample whiskey bottle, put a red cork in it, and improvised a red flower with non-toxic (so the package says!) artist's sculpey clay. I hung it at an angle, and I must say it works much better than the attractive, but poorly designed commercial feeder that I bought. Anyway, we had at least 4 birds, and then they all left for the voyage south, some time in late September.

I wish I could offer you some positive encouragement. I'm following the same path as you. I have some pots of Dianthus chinensis outside, plus snapdragons, and, of course, the feeder. There is an apple tree in the back yard in full bloom, and I understand that hummingbirds are attracted to them. I even dissected one of the Dianthus flowers, and touched my tongue to the liquid inside. Noticeably sweet, even to my big, clumsy tongue! I'm less sure about the snapdragons because I couldn't find any nectar inside when I carefully tore one open. It won't be long before the native columbines will be blooming.

Anyway, I'm getting discouraged. The map shows them all around us, but no sign of any yet. I keep the feeder clean, and replenished, but nothing. I did read on the hummingbird map website that the first sighting dots on the map are just that--FIRST sightings. There is quite a bit of variability in hummingbird migration, and it's possible for some breeding birds to arrive weeks later than the first arrivals--just slowpokes, I guess. The males come before the females, but there is still a lot of variability between different individual birds.

I try to take heart in that, reminding myself that it's still fairly early for hummers here in western Pennsylvania. You're right, Jenny, waiting IS hard! I keep fretting that maybe the few young birds I had just didn't make it through migration, and won't be returning at all. Then again, nature is fruitful, and there should be other birds to scout out my place. With more flowers than ever before, maybe they'll be showing up any day now. SIGH.

Kristin, take heart! I just got back from the nursery so I could ''finish'' my garden. The guy helping me told me they get hummingbirds going inside the nursery to feed on the Gardenmiester Fuschia and around here, they don't usually show up until May. In that case, I'll be in very good shape for them when they do show up, since I bought five to plant next to a window which has always been a problem area. What better plan than to include one of their favorites in a place I can easily see! I also scored on three Firebushes for some urns that needed filled, since they had just come in on the truck, and I hadn't expected to find any until May.

You know, that map is deceiving just for the reasons you mentioned. First sightings are what starts my impatience growing. Kristin, it's nice to be in such good company while we wait! I'll be waiting to hear word of their imminent arrival, and whether you see them first or I do, it will be encouraging for both of us! In the meantime, I've just decided to have faith and BELIEVE they will be so happy with their old digs they will have to move right back in and stay.

Wow, Claire! Thanks for your lovely and sympathetic post. I felt like you were putting your arm around me as an empathetic person in a similar situation.

When they show up, and I repeat, WHEN they show up, I will be so ecstatic that I'll be sure to post a celebratory message, with details of their behavior, what flowers get visited, etc.

I'll be expecting the same, when, and that's WHEN, yours return. Buona fortuna!

Wow! Group hug!

OK! I haven't had one of those in years! ;)

Jenny, I can't wait to hear when your hummers show up...You're prize is ''in the bag'' for the Most Persistent Hummingbirds In Unusual Places!