Anyone else have an unusually large number of hummingbirds this year?

[sixdogs]

Diggin it, don't know where you are located? Here in the PNW... we still have hummingbirds visiting our feeder. In fact, I made some more sugar water today as they continue to empty it. Not as many now but still a few... but this has been another great year for them. Keep thinking we need a second feeder because of the wars around the one. Ours routinely sit still and feed for a minute rather than hover. Quite enjoyable.

They seem to know me and I sit on my deck 5ft away and it doesn't spook them. Often they come close to me... so close that one tried to land in my hair this summer. I sort of panicked and wacked him away. :laughing:

A second feeder? My wife puts up four or five. Two are the suction cup type that stick to the windows while the others go on metal hooks in the yard. We didn't plan it that way but as more came, they became territorial and she wanted to make sure they all got a chance at a feeder. I think I heard they eat their weight in bugs every day as well. What fascinating little creatures.

 

[dragoneggs]

I know... but I don't want to become obsessed! Okay, more feeders next year. thanks sixdogs.

 

[QRTRHRS]

We were down to two up to yesterday anyway. This am I saw just one. This evening while it was still light enough for them to be feeding normally, the temp was 57 degrees. I was not seeing any at all so they may have gotten the message today and flew the coop so to speak.

 

[goeduck]

I noticed both my feeders were empty yesterday (after 1 week) so I refilled both today in case there are any more stragglers.

 

[dragoneggs]

I noticed both my feeders were empty yesterday (after 1 week) so I refilled both today in case there are any more stragglers.

We still have a few draining the feeder... wondering though if this is the last of them with a good little stretch of nice fall weather? Forecast looking good through most of next week! :thumbsup:

Too bad I am on the road again until Wednesday. :smiley_aafz:

 

[goeduck]

I saw one feeding on a late blooming shrub and another one at one of the the feeders fueling up. I am sure glad I refilled even if it was just for these two little guys.

 

[goeduck]

I saw two fueling up at one of the feeders today.

 

[sixdogs]

I saw two fueling up at one of the feeders today.

Why is WA still getting birds? Shouldn't they have been gone by now?

 

[goeduck]

Why is WA still getting birds? Shouldn't they have been gone by now?

Our days are still in the mid 60s. Today was knock dead gorgeous. The marine climate down the pacific coast must give the hummers from Alaska more time? I do not know but I feel good when I see them fueling up. :thumbsup:

 

[goeduck]

Our days are still in the mid 60s. Today was knock dead gorgeous. The marine climate down the pacific coast must give the hummers from Alaska more time? I do not know but I feel good when I see them fueling up. :thumbsup:

This might explain it. The Rufous are the mostly northerly summer range hummingbird and they have a LONG ways to go to their wintering ground. :thumbsup: go little guys !!

Alaska's Backyard Birds — Rufous Hummingbird, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

 

[wngsprd]

All of our hummingbirds left a week or so ago, but we leave a few feeders out for stragglers. The last couple of days we noticed a rufous hummingbird, first we've ever seen here in Virginia. We usually have only ruby-throats. Our weather has been warm, but yesterday morning it got down to 44.

 

[ArlyA]

We finally took our feeders down so any ruby throated remaining here, are on there own. Does seem the youngsters have gone south which are normally the last to leave.

 

[goeduck]

I saw two more Rufous hummers today fighting over the feeder and I was not around the feeders much at all. So they are still migrating. I must be on the flighpath.

 

[dragoneggs]

I saw two more Rufous hummers today fighting over the feeder and I was not around the feeders much at all. So they are still migrating. I must be on the flighpath.

I typically stop feeding them this time of year but my next door neighbor just informed me that they have a few through the winter so I guess I will keep feeding and see for myself!

 

[sixdogs]

I saw two more Rufous hummers today fighting over the feeder and I was not around the feeders much at all. So they are still migrating. I must be on the flighpath.

They seem to pass the word on the location of the feeders to other travelers.

 

[Diggin It]

^^^ I think they do it musically since I can hear them humming the tune.

 

[sixdogs]

^^^ I think they do it musically since I can hear them humming the tune.

I recall reading that their wings can flap at some incredibly fast pace and create a sort of humming sound. Makes sense.

 

[TractorGuy]

I thought mine were all gone for the year but I guess they just evacuated for the storm. I put my main feeder back on the front porch after the storm and I notice they are slowly coming back to use it.

 

[goeduck]

I was making dinner and looked up at the feeder by the kitchen and there one was, drinking away. Dang, my feeders are almost empty since filling up on the 15th. Not a lot by any means, but still some stragglers going through. Hope they make it!! :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

I was making dinner and looked up at the feeder by the kitchen and there one was, drinking away. Dang, my feeders are almost empty since filling up on the 15th. Not a lot by any means, but still some strangers going through. Hope they make it!! :thumbsup:

Got two of them fighting off one another as the night falls this evening. One is beautiful ruby throat. This weekend I went to TSC thinking they would have feeders on sale and, yep on clearance and I used my 10% off all purchases.:thumbsup:

Got it up now about 5ft from the other feeder and wouldn't you know it... they both are fighting over the same old feeder while the bigger one with fresher nectar hangs with no customers. :confused3: