Where are all the hummingbirds??

[RNCollins]

I live in the Hudson Valley of New York State. We get the ruby-throated hummingbirds here during the summer. This year we had one hummingbird, then it disappeared. Where are they?? Has anyone else seen this happening?

 

[LisaH]

Same here. I have seen one in the past couple months. Usually in the summer, I need to replenish my feeder every 7-10 days. I had a 2 week trip lately and my feeder was still pretty full when I came back.

 

[WinniWoman]

I live in the Hudson Valley of New York State. We get the ruby-throated hummingbirds here during the summer. This year we had one hummingbird, then it disappeared. Where are they?? Has anyone else seen this happening?

As you know we are literally neighbors. Actually, I did notice a hummingbird coming by our door this past week where we used to have a feeder many years ago and for various reasons cannot put it there anymore. He/she was really loud and fairly big.

I feel bad- but last year I tried to set a new type feeder off our deck not far from the original spot and the only thing that went for it was a bear, who eventually broke it.

So- no hummingbird feeder up this year.

PS- Didn't we just recently have this same issue? Wasn't it last year or the year before- when we said there seemed to be less hummingbirds?

 

[MULTIZ321]

As you know we are literally neighbors. Actually, I did notice a hummingbird coming by our door this past week where we used to have a feeder many years ago and for various reasons cannot put it there anymore. He/she was really loud and fairly big.

I feel bad- but last year I tried to set a new type feeder off our deck not far from the original spot and the only thing that went for it was a bear, who eventually broke it.

So- no hummingbird feeder up this year.

PS- Didn't we just recently have this same issue? Wasn't it last year or the year before- when we said there seemed to be less hummingbirds?

Here are some previous Tug threads mentioning decrease in hummingbird sightings-
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/paying-farmers-to-welcome-birds.209572/#post-1615880.

I'll add another one in a different post.

Richard

 

[MULTIZ321]

Here are some previous Tug threads mentioning decrease in hummingbird sightings-
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/paying-farmers-to-welcome-birds.209572/#post-1615880.

I'll add another one in a different post.

Richard

Here's the other thread -
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/the-miracle-of-hummingbirds.178139/#post-1353538.

Richard

 

[Passepartout]

I have 2 feeders out and have to fill them about weekly. In the hills nearby, a group has a bunch of feeders- so many in fact that they took 13 gallons of sugar water to refill recently. I will try to post a link to the newspaper article.
http://magicvalley.com/lifestyles/r...cle_b1ce9e46-8f40-5ae9-bfa0-09b9677fb5f0.html

Jim

 

[MuranoJo]

I also have two feeders out again, and because the weather has been cooler, I'm only cleaning & refilling weekly. (When it's hotter, it's important to get the sugar water switched out more often as it goes bad, so I've read.)
As last year, I think we have only two couples or so. The populations have definitely been down for several years now.
But I'm happy to see they're doing well in other areas of ID, Jim. Thanks for your post.

 

[bobpark56]

Lot's of hummingbirds in Palm Desert last week. Not a colorful as back east, though.

 

[Lydlady]

We have a feeder out (need to replace a second one that's broken) and see at least a few each day.

 

[elaine]

I read about some initiatives in our state to plant gardens to attract certain birds and pollinating insects. In case anyone is interested in planting. My grandma had a whole hedge of azaleas and always a hummingbird. Don't think she even had a feeder.

5 PLANTS THAT ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS

• Bee Balm. A staple in most herb gardens, this plant is a member of the mint family, and, as the name suggests, it also attracts bees and butterflies as well as hummingbirds.
• Petunia. ...
• Azalea. ...
• Foxglove. ...
• Morning Glory. ...

 

[geist1223]

No shortage in Salem Oregon. Patti makes sure we have plants/flowers that attract Hummingbirds. We do not believe in artificial feeders. Also we have a multi-level flowing fountain in the Front Yard they like. It is fun to watch them drink from the fountain - sometimes while flying and sometimes they land on the top level. On occasion while reading on the Front Porch (large covered front porch/Craftman Style House) I will hear a buzz/hum and I will look up and one of the Hummingbirds is checking me out.

 

[clifffaith]

We have four cats so we don't put a feeder out, but we have orange, lemon and apple trees in the back, and Mexican sage in the front, so we have plenty of plants to attract them. Seems like we have the same amount as in previous years.

 

[WalnutBaron]

I think my DW has singlehandedly changed the migration patterns of the hummingbirds here in Northern California. She puts out five feeders daily, each holding a half gallon of nectar, and refills them and cleans them daily. There are literally hundreds of birds that visit our porch. Quite a sight.

 

[MuranoJo]

I think my DW has singlehandedly changed the migration patterns of the hummingbirds here in Northern California. She puts out five feeders daily, each holding a half gallon of nectar, and refills them and cleans them daily. There are literally hundreds of birds that visit our porch. Quite a sight.

So THAT'S where our hummingbirds have gone!

Wow, that's a lot of feeders & nectar to deal with each day, but sounds like you almost have a sanctuary for them--sounds like great photo ops as well.