Within a few days, March will be here, and Georgia backyard wildlife watchers will begin looking for the first ruby-throated hummingbird of the year.

       Consequently, if you have not maintained a hummingbird feeder throughout the winter, it is time to hang one up in your backyard and wait.  The first Georgians that are apt to see one are those folks that live in extreme South Georgia. Birds sometimes arrive there during the first week of the month.  Those of us living in middle and north Georgia will have to wait longer to see our first hummingbirds.

       The first to arrive are the males, they are followed in anywhere from 10 to twelve days by the females. However, sometimes the first hummingbird we see is a female.  This simply means we did not see one of the first males that reached our neck of the woods, or one simply bypassed our yards.

       I would appreciate it if you would report the arrival dates of the first male and female rubythroats that appear in your yard this spring.  If you do, include the date they were first seen along with the city and county where you live.  If enough people do so, we can tract the movements of the bird northward.  At the end of the migration season, I will compile the data and report when and how quickly the birds dispersed across the state this year.

       I hope you have a spectacular hummingbird season!