Not only do the trees change in Western North Carolina as fall comes around, but so do the birds.
While some species, like the ruby-throated hummingbird, start their journey south, you shouldn’t take down your hummingbird feeders just yet.
The most common type of hummingbird in North Carolina is the ruby-throated, which comes from Mexico and Central America in late February to breed.
These little birds start their trip back south in late August or early September. Usually, the males leave first, and then the females leave about two weeks later.
It’s normal for some hummingbirds to stay longer than others during this time, and leaving your feeder out won’t stop them.
The Transylvania County Center at N.C. State University says that movement is affected by things like food sources and the weather.
You might want to plant native trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers to draw hummingbirds next year. Red buckeye, coral honeysuckle, rhododendron, and wild bergamot are all popular choices because they are known to attract these fast-moving animals.
When are you going to start getting your yard ready for hummingbird season again?