The third week in March is a special time for Monroe County hummingbird enthusiasts. This is the week rubythroats traditionally arrive in the county.

The earliest that my wife and I have ever seen the bird in our backyard is March 18, however, some years local residents have reported it a day or two earlier. By the same token, the first hummer is sometimes seen March 19 -21.

Friends in Southwest Georgia usually spot their ruby-throated hummingbird up to 5-7 days earlier. In comparison, residents of North Georgia often do not see their first rubythroat until late March or early April.

Females make their appearance 7-10 days after the males.