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

[sixdogs]

In the past few years and having a lot more hummingbirds, we've noticed a big decline in insects. Never thought to credit the hummingbirds.

 

[kenmbz]

I boil the well water with the sugar and have less growth, usually refill every week or so and clean each refill.

 

[MoKelly]

I boil the well water with the sugar and have less growth, usually refill every week or so and clean each refill.

Yes. This is a very good practice. We do the same and it’s been successful. Changing the feeder often and cleaning is key.

MoKelly

 

[sixdogs]

Remember to get a feeder out a little early to catch the scouts looking for food. Also watch for returning birds that look familiar or know the ropes around your yard. As mentioned earlier in this thread, we had returning birds with unique looks we remembered from the last year plus some birds that knew we had a feeder in an alcove and not easily seen. That had to be returning birds.

There's a chart that shows when birds are first seen in the US and a dot put on the map. You can easily judge when they get close to your location. Can't seem to find that map this year.

 

[psvfd]

Put one feeder out two days now, no birds yet. They should show soon.

 

[PILOON]

We always boil our mix.

As to early placement we don't worry as the little guys actually fly from window to window to announce their arrival and hunger.

Quite a show, it's like 'hey guys, we are back and hungry'!

 

[dragoneggs]

Yep always boil our well water and try to change out regularly. Our hummers are picky and it is easy to tell when they aren't happy with the nectar... they stop feeding but continue to hang around looking for other sources. BTW... ours are around all year long.

 

[goeduck]

This would explain my increased activity, the Rufous birds are arriving from Mexico. This site says by March 20 they hit Canada. We are not that far from Canada so they must be a week or two early this year.

Rufous Hummingbird Migration: Temperature, Patterns and Timing

 

[sixdogs]

Anyone have a map of 2021 bird arrival dates for the US? They must be starting soon.

 

[goeduck]

this might help. for 2021

Hummingbird Migration Patterns and Maps

www.hummingbirdcentral.com

 

[sixdogs]

this might help. for 2021

Hummingbird Migration Patterns and Maps

www.hummingbirdcentral.com

That is a wonderful chart of this year's arriving birds. Looks like they are already in the southern US and heading north earlier than past years.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks for sharing the link! I have a couple of feeders I need to fill up and set out.

 

[psvfd]

Seen the first pair today, Ruby's.

 

[PILOON]

Last week we had a major snow melt so the spring feeling was in the air.
Not today, it went back to winter and snowed.
HOWEVER the talk of humming birds (and time change) gave us hope.
OK spring is actually in the air, and they predict sun and warm most of next week.

LOL, I left my Adirondack chairs on my dock to remind me what summer was like.
There was so much snow that they were TOTALLY buried! (that's 3+ ft)

The only downside is usually we get that one major snow event (like 24/36 ins.) B4 the end of this month. (sure hope not this year)

Now onto humming birds.
Usually they fly from window to window bobbing up and down to say "HI, we are here and hungry". Smart little buggers!

 

[goeduck]

I have clustered my feeders closer together (within about 8 feet) yet the first feeder I ever put up gets the most traffic. These little guys have an amazingly accurate GPS system.

 

[oosik]

Not yet here in NE WA state. But I DO keep a sharp eye outside.

 

[dragoneggs]

Not yet here in NE WA state. But I DO keep a sharp eye outside.

I suppose that leaves your lazy eye to... ?

 

[goeduck]

I suppose that leaves your lazy eye to... ?

...be inside?

I am guessing oosik stands in the middle of his doorway with his sharp eye outside and his lazy eye inside.

my kids are drinking about a cup of sugar water a day. Not a lot, but at a good pace.

 

[sixdogs]

my kids are drinking about a cup of sugar water a day. Not a lot, but at a good pace.

That is a lot of sugar water and a lot of bird visits. Are you dealing with swarms of birds or is your variety an unusually heavy feeder?

 

[sixdogs]

Interesting hummingbird facts from a bird site

Frequently Asked Questions

The Web's premier place to learn about hummingbirds.

www.hummingbirds.net