Temperatures are on the rise, green is showing up and hummingbirds are on the move. All signs that spring is officially here.

Over the next couple of months, colorful Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds will show up at feeders and in gardens across the eastern half of the United States. The small birds have begun their long journey home after escaping the winter cold.

In recent weeks, the first hummingbirds of the year have been spotted along the Gulf coast and slowly have popped up farther north across the Southeast.

As temperatures continue to warm, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds will appear farther north, reaching the Midwest and Northeast by early May. These birds will then remain across the Eastern U.S. until November comes again, and they make their way back south.

The journey hummingbirds make is miraculous. The migration back over the Gulf every spring can take 18-22 hours as they can fly over 1,200 miles without a break!

Before the hummingbirds begin appearing in your yards, be sure to have those feeders ready and take part in their migration.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service has some helpful tips if you are looking to attract hummingbirds:

• Prepare a homemade nectar for them to feed on. Mix four parts water and one-part sugar and boil for two minutes. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before filling the feeder. The mixture will spoil in the heat, so change the mixture every three to five days.
• Always clean the feeders well with hot soapy water and rinse before the first use and each time you refill them throughout the season to help reduce bacteria growth. You can store any leftover mixture in the refrigerator for easy use.
• Hummingbirds are pollinators and feed on many plants commonly found in landscapes. Plants like begonia, petunia, nasturtium and zinnia are great annuals to incorporate into your yard. Other perennials and shrubs hummingbirds are fond of include butterfly weed, lantana, azaleas and salvia.

If you would like to know more information about the annual hummingbird migration visit here.

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