Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Thousands of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right for Delaware During Their Migration This Spring

When springtime weather finally shows up in the First State, Delawareans head outside in droves. Most people don't enjoy being cooped up in the wintertime, so we flock to parks, forests, and gardens to take in the sounds and signs of the new season and see hummingbirds in Delaware.

Are there hummingbirds in Delaware? You bet there are! You'll notice, too, that people aren’t the only ones out enjoying the weather. Soon, the hummingbird migration in Delaware will show up to feast on the wildflowers of our beautiful state. That's right. It's time to break out the sugar water and prepare the best hummingbird feeders for the soon-to-be spring crashers. When is the best time to put out hummingbird feeders in Delaware? Read on to find out!

Every spring, thousands of hummingbirds show up in Delaware after spending the winters in Central America. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world but don't be fooled by their tiny size. These birds can fly up to 1,300 miles in one stretch which is part of how they cover so much ground during their migration.

The stunning wildflowers of the First State attract these Delaware hummingbirds to yards and gardens in each of our counties. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are particularly drawn to bright colors, like red and tubular flowers. Both produce a lot of nectar and are perfectly poised to hold the hummingbird's long beak. Hummingbirds are known for their ability to hover while they eat, thanks to powerful wings that flap up to 3,000 times a minute. As we said, these are tough cookies disguised in small packages.

These long-beaked birds fuel up on nectar from native wildflowers and pollinator-friendly gardens. Some of their favorite food sources include trumpet vines and butterfly bushes. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, plant high-nectar flowers like bee balm, sage, rhododendron, and lupine. These fluttering beauties will thank you.

It's a win-win, too. The hummingbirds get much-needed fuel for their long migration journey, and you get a garden full of beautiful and diverse flowers. Hummingbirds eat a lot of nectar, often up to twice their weight each day, and sometimes the local flower supply can't keep up. If you want to help them out, hang a hummingbird feeder filled with all-natural, dye-free nectar.

We don't know for sure that dye would harm the hummingbirds, but it's safest to stick as close to the birds' natural food source as possible. All you'll need is sugar and water. Use one cup of sugar for every four cups of water. Add sugar to the water and let it dissolve before pouring the nectar into your feeder.

Keep an eye on your feeder and change cloudy water immediately. Cleaning the feeder regularly, usually every few days or when you change the water, is essential to keeping the hummingbirds healthy. Mold can quickly build up, which is dangerous for birds, so I use a dab of dishwashing liquid and hot water to wash the feeder every few days. After thoroughly rinsing the feeder, I refill it with sugar water.

If you've had a hummingbird feeder out for multiple years, you may be getting some repeat visitors. Ruby-throated hummingbirds, who often live up to nine years, are creatures of habit and often visit the same feeder year after year.

The Delaware hummingbird migration is well on its way to the First State, and they'll be fluttering their way through your town this spring. Ruby-throated hummingbirds tend to show up in early April, with males arriving first and females following a few weeks later, and generally stay through the middle of October. Keep your feeder up at least until the end of October in case a few stray ruby-throated hummingbirds are late passing through on their way south.

Now that we've answered the question, "When will hummingbirds arrive in Delaware?" it's time to prepare. Get ready to see these winged beauties throughout our gorgeous state.

Is your yard ready to host all of these hummingbirds in Delaware? Get outside, take in the fresh air, and start your own pollinator garden to bring them around. If you can't get enough of springtime fun, find some good hiking boots and take these easy and beautiful hikes in Delaware that are perfect for a spring adventure.