Vermont · Northeast
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Vermont
Put feeders out by April 15. First arrivals typically show up early May, and an early feeder greets the hungry vanguard.
Put feeders out by
April 15
First arrivals
early May
Peak season
May through August
Take down after
mid-October
Feeders up from April 15 until mid-october.
The Vermont season
Arrivals push up the Champlain Valley in the first days of May and reach the Northeast Kingdom about a week later. Males depart first in late August; females and the year's young linger through September, so don't let an empty-looking week fool you into early takedown.
The two-week head start matters more than it looks: the first migrants arrive before most nectar flowers open, and a reliable feeder can anchor a male's breeding territory in your yard for the whole summer. At the other end, keep the feeder up until mid-october — southbound stragglers, often the year's young, are the birds that need it most.
Hummingbird species in Vermont
| Species | Status in Vermont |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Rare / occasional |
Filling the feeder? The recipe is 4 parts water to 1 part plain white sugar — scale it to your feeder in one click.
Nectar calculatorFrequently asked questions
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Vermont?
Have feeders out by April 15 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (early May). The vanguard males travel ahead of the main wave, and an early feeder helps them refuel when few flowers are blooming.
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Vermont?
mid-October. And don't worry about tempting birds to stay too long: migration is triggered by day length, not food. A full feeder will never stop a hummingbird from leaving — it simply fuels late stragglers, which need the help most.
Do hummingbirds stay in Vermont year-round?
No — Vermont's hummingbirds head south for the winter, with the last birds typically gone by late September. If you see a hummingbird at a feeder in late fall or winter, look closely: it may be a rare western visitor such as a Rufous Hummingbird, worth reporting to your local birding group.
What should I put in the feeder?
Plain white sugar and water at a 4:1 ratio — 1 cup of sugar per 4 cups of water. Never use honey, brown sugar, or red dye. Our nectar calculator scales the recipe to any feeder size.
Nearby states
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