Hummingbirds generally leave North Carolina when winter comes around, according to North Carolina State University. They spend the season in southern Mexico and return by flying across the Gulf of Mexico in spring.
According to North Carolina State University, some early hummingbirds arrive in the middle of March. However, you only start seeing many hummingbirds around late March in North Carolina.
North Carolina State University recommends that you hang feeders outside in time for the arrival of hummingbirds. Place feeders outside in mid-March to welcome the few early hummingbirds.