Marion says her hummers always come on March 19th. So Bob put the feeder out in the second week of March, just to be ready for them. It was, after all, a very warm winter, and the Back Forty has stared to grow a couple a weeks earlier than usual. The red current bushes were in bloom (I was told hummers like these flowers), and the Pieris in the front yard were showing off long white plumes. So we waited, and watched. And finally - there he was. A tiny Rufus hummingbird on or about the 21st of March. We watched as he checked out the feeder, and the other birds that were close to his space. He was very nervous each time we approached the window, but he was drinking. Next day, no sign of him. Then bad weather - cold nights and blowing rain, not a pleasant welcome for the little
guy. He's still here (the male), and very occasionally we see the female. But neither will stay long enough for one of us to get the camera, and sneak up to the window for a photo. We're still very happy to see them!
