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

[John0829]

Every year we have literally two dozen plus on the feeders but this year have only seen two so far and they seem skittish. Many of those that regularly stay around will get on or be right in your face while trying to hang the feeders up. And for the last two years we had one male that would come stare at the kitchen window when "his" feeder ran out. Fun to watch.

 

[ponytug]

Our local birds turned up about about a week ago. I was treated to a low level fly by for some reason (eye level). The males are doing mating sorties between the house and the barn. Always fun to watch.

I haven't seen any rufous come through on their way up north, yet.

 

[sixdogs]

No interest in feeders right now. Hard to tell but it looks like bugs are on the menu.

 

[JasperFrank]

I think our ice storm in Feb killed all of them off that didn't migrate South. Seen only one humming bird so far this spring. I'm more concerned about the bees. There are no bees, or any other large insects of any kind. Frogs, and small reptiles, just seem to being doing business as usual. Willamette Valley, OR.

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks for the reports guys. Prompts me to get our feeders out.

 

[goeduck]

I had to scramble this morning to get feeders refilled before heading out. A brain furt had me skipping filling them on Monday. One feeder still had juice in it, so I hope to have not lost my flock to neighbors.

 

[sixdogs]

Wife saw one zoom by her yesterday, two gulps at a feeder and then off to a spruce treeline. We never see many in the spring at the feeders but usually do as the seasons progresses. Last year was not many at the feeders but for a few years before we had an excess of birds during the summer.

Bird populations are cyclical and rise and fall with natural disasters of migration hazards. I suppose it strengthens the herd. Jut because you have none or even too many, don't presume it will be that way forever. Read back some of the earlier posts in this thread as you can see.

We paid our dues during the quiet years and then got swamped when things recovered. We kept their feeders clean, changed fluid every few days and when the population came back we had almost more than we wanted. Almost.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey gang! A few hummers here. Would be more but I am not doing my part. Way too busy with work travel etc. I know… no excuses. Hope you guys are well. Been quite awhile since chiming in. Cheers!

 

[goeduck]

Hey gang! A few hummers here. Would be more but I am not doing my part. Way too busy with work travel etc. I know… no excuses. Hope you guys are well. Been quite awhile since chiming in. Cheers!

Welcome home. Hummers are only about 75% of last year over my way, but quite active. We seem to be past the spring hump, between humps now.

We have a 2-hump camel pattern. Base of the neck and tail is winter and consists of what resident Annas need for food. First hump is spring when traveler Rufous are headed from CA and Mexico to Canada and Alaska and add to resident Annas population. Summer is between humps and consists of resident Annas and some Rufous that stayed for breeding here. Rear hump is when the traveling Rufous are heading south from Canada and Alaska back to CA and Mexico.

 

[ultrarunner]

Have not seen one at the feeder this year... it's was like Chicago O'Hare flight pattern for years...

No idea what happened.

 

[kenmbz]

Still only have one or two, that I see.
One does come close and interact when I am out on the deck where the feeder is.
It even visited me when I was gardening hoping for a shower when I was watering the veggies. Hovered for a minute or so.
I have found nests at the end of the summer, so I know there are probably more around,

 

[ruffdog]

No Hummers here yet....WHY? I asked the neighbor lady that has a flower garden if she has seen any...nope. Strange. We have all the other birds, just no Hummers.

 

[JPRambo]

I've only seen 2 so far this year. Each 3 to 5 times a day. But only 2 birds.

 

[oosik]

I've got two pair so far. Three days ago they came to the kitchen window. Just to let me know - "we are here".

Set out the feeder and they began using it. Right now its an augment to the wild flowers. In less than a month it will be the only liquid food supply in this neck of the woods.

 

[sixdogs]

After two sparse years, we have some birds at the feeders. More than that since we see birds zooming in and out of the spruce trees and I have also seen bugs in the same place so I'll presume they are eating bugs. I did see one pick up a bug from the flower garden.

I read in this thread somewhere that most of their diet is bugs, and the feeders are more used in summer when flowers and bugs aren't as lush.

Also, we saw a bird go up to an alcove on the patio where we had a feeder last year but none yet this year. There is no reason for that bird to go where it was so I'll presume it is a returning bird that had been to that feeder last year. We also had that happen in prior years and I feel certain it is the returning birds.

Anyway, birds are cyclical in volume and we appear to be on the upswing. The wife changes the food every few days when it's warm and the birds seem to like the fresh food. We re hoping for a good summer of birds.

 

[LouNY]

Had two at one feeder a few days ago, they were squabbling over it then both seem to have left, haven't seen one sense.

 

[ruffdog]

More that that we see birds zooming in and out of the spruce trees and I have also seen bugs in the same place so I'll presume they are eating bugs. I did see one pick up a bug from the flower garden.

They will also eat sap at the very tips of the Spruce branches. After a heavy dew or rain they can be seen eating the droplets, especially after the new growth.

 

[sixdogs]

They will also eat sap at the very tips of the Spruce branches. After a heavy dew or rain they can be seen eating the droplets, especially after the new growth.

I think I have seen that. I thought they might be after a bug but I think you're right.

 

[dragoneggs]

Have not seen one at the feeder this year... it's was like Chicago O'Hare flight pattern for years...

No idea what happened.

Where… Bay Area or Oly?

 

[ultrarunner]

Where… Bay Area or Oly?

Bay Area... very strange this year... maybe the Bay Area is not for the birds?