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

[kenmbz]

Still looks like only one here, could be two females though.
Will need to change the food way before empty due to age.
Last year had babies and adults everywhere and weekly fills were needed.
Had quite a few dramatic fights last year, but did not see any get hurt, only choosing their time to feed more carefully

 

[sixdogs]

Still looks like only one here, could be two females though.
Will need to change the food way before empty due to age.
Last year had babies and adults everywhere and weekly fills were needed.
Had quite a few dramatic fights last year, but did not see any get hurt, only choosing their time to feed more carefully

Give it more time. I'm told they live on bugs the early part of the year and feeders are for when other food sources are lacking. Plus, they have to feed the babies bugs. Many years we started slow but picked up as the summer went on. We just kept on changing and filling and it worked out.

EDIT--for reference, we had thousands of visits in the heat of last summer and that's the most we have ever had. Wife just reminded me we had very few visits in the spring. This year is also off to a slow start. Jasut an FYI.

 

[psvfd]

Three at one of the feeders this morning, two at the same time as they flew another came in to feed. I can not see the other (I have two feeders) at the same time. Change out feeders every three days, they are not drinking all the water, keeping it fresh.

 

[MoKelly]

Do you guys empty and replace syrup after it rains? It rained last night for about 2 hours and my wife is gone on a 5 day bike ride.

Does rain dilute the syrup such that the birds won’t eat until replaced?

MoKelly

 

[kenmbz]

My feeder has a top and is upside down glass feeding into the base with tiny openings. Does not seem to get water in it.

 

[MoKelly]

I spoke to my wife. She says “don’t worry”. The only rain that can get inside are the tiny holes the birds use to suck out the syrup.

Crisis avoided.

MoKelly

 

[psvfd]

It does not seem to slow their feeding but does get into the feeders. I have put covers on the feeders which seem to be to small. So I put a small child umbrella on one that protects that one.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have to watch for insects penetrating the feeder. Seems they tend to scare off the HB's. I replace my water with fresh when the HB's stop feeding. A week is about as long as it usually lasts if they don't finish it sooner.

 

[MoKelly]

I have to watch for insects penetrating the feeder. Seems they tend to scare off the HB's. I replace my water with fresh when the HB's stop feeding. A week is about as long as it usually lasts if they don't finish it sooner.

Agree. Our problem is ants. They like the water but drown.

MoKelly

 

[goeduck]

I spoke to my wife. She says “don’t worry”. The only rain that can get inside are the tiny holes the birds use to suck out the syrup.

Crisis avoided.

MoKelly

I use upside down red pizza platters (you could use planter drain pans) on top of the feeders (mounted to the fascia board) to shield the feeders themselves from the rain. I would not dismiss the impact of rain on contamination, but it depends on the feeder style.