April 15th has always been a big day in my life. No, I’m not excited to send my taxes off to the government. I’
m excited to hang my hummingbird feeders!
This year I’m hanging them two weeks early. According to the Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2010 Migration Map, which a friend shared on Facebook, the migrating hummers are expected earlier than usual. The feeders are cleaned and will be hung tonight to hopefully catch some of the little guys as they make their way north. Those that stay around have always found my feeders and flowers in the summer, so I’m also planning to add some of my (and usually the hummers’) favorite salvias.
My favorite feeder has 6 ports that are shaped like flowers. The glass bottle is easy to clean and sanitize. It’s hard to clean the flowers (I use teeny brushes), but the number of hummers who seem to enjoy the feeder make it worth it. The older picture of it is from our home in Appomattox in 2004.
As for the salvia, two were rockstars last year with the hummingbirds. Salvia Greggii ‘Cherry Queen’, with it’s pinkish red blooms grew very large for such a small plant, and it was a daily visit for the area hummingbirds.
Salvia ‘Purple Majesty’ was another good performer, both in growth and for the hummingbirds, though the deer also seemed to enjoy nibbling on it. 
So with our first spring and summer in our new home, I don’t know exactly when to expect the first hummingbird visitors, but I’ll keep you posted. If you’re in the area, I’d love to hear when you first see ruby throats!
*** This site is comprised solely of the opinions of its author, Stacey Morgan Smith. She works to promote gardening and tourism in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, from Roanoke to the Potomac River.***
Hello. I just wanted to say the first hummingbird I have seen this year arrived today, Tuesday, April 27, 2010. I put my feeder out about two weeks ago and this afternoon was our first sighting. I live in Augusta Co. Waynesboro area between Ladd and Coyner Springs Park.
Wonderful – thanks for letting me know! Hopefully I’ll see one soon, too :)
when will my hummingbirds be back in live in page county Virginia
Hi, Beverly,
If you haven’t seen them yet, you should soon! According to this hummingbird website, they arrived in our area in early April in 2017. Let me know when you see one. Thanks for stopping by!
Just moved to the Sping Hill Village area (10 minutes north of Staunton) from east Texas. I’m glad I found this blog, so I know when to put out my feeders. Thank you!
Wonderful! Welcome to the area.
Hi we are visiting lthe park late May 2019. Will we see hummingbirds then if yes where is the best part of the park to see them …many the thanks
Hi, Alby. They should be back in the area by then. They normally arrive here by mid April.
As to where to look, you might want to check with the park rangers a little closer to the time. I haven’t seen hummingbirds in the park, but I know there’s a wealth of native flora for them! Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!