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

[om21braz]

More than normal here. I think the new feeder as the link shown below was really enjoyed. Probably up to 14-20 a couple weeks ago. Starting dwindling down last week.

Amazon.com : Perky-Pet HUMBAR4DTC Hummerbar Hummingbird Feeder, 4' : Garden & Outdoor

 

[sixdogs]

Here in South Central VA. I didn't have any earlier but I noticed that yesterday I have a least 3 pairs today and it is fun time just watching them I don't know if they are just passing through or hanging out for a few days. There is one and he is control of the feeder I only have one but if I see numbers go up I'll put out more feeders.

I read that you need the feeders first so the birds can tell their buddies and travelers that it's there. If you put it up they will show up kind of thing.

 

[BoylermanCT]

We have 3 pair that come to our place each year. Would be cool to have a swarm of them for a visit!

 

[japody]

We have been swamped with the hummers. 20 - 30 at a time and you can see more waiting in the trees. We have 7 feeders up. They hold 30 ounces and have to be refilled every 3 days. We're in Southern VA near the NC line.

 

[Alan W.]

Too much going on this year I forgot to set mine out. Apparently they went to my neighbors feeders. He told me he was swamped with them this year.

Back in the early 90s we had large amounts but they got fewer as the years went by until we were having 10 or so at most. Maybe they are on an upswing. Will pickup a few extra feeders for nextyear.

My son use to hold the feeder and they would swarm around him and land on him. He thought it was funny.

 

[goeduck]

I have a lot in the spring then it tapers off every year. They are around all the time but seem to be feeding as much on flowers as the feeders. Before they take off south the feeder activity picks up.

 

[Gem99ultra]

10x more than last year. They're emptying 3 feeders daily. Love 'em.

 

[sixdogs]

We recognize the HB's that were around for the summer and they must have gone south already. The birds now feeding must be the transients flying through from the north and just bulking up at our feeders. They look much different than our summer locals.

 

[goeduck]

We recognize the HB's that were around for the summer and they must have gone south already. The birds now feeding must be the transients flying through from the north and just bulking up at our feeders. They look much different than our summer locals.

Good eye!

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Just my usual pair! When the feeder is empty, they will fly in front your face and hover there, to let you know.

 

[deserteagle71]

Just my usual pair! When the feeder is empty, they will fly in front your face and hover there, to let you know.

Yup! Mine do the same!

 

[om21braz]

Yup! Mine do the same!

They can get kinda pushy LOL

 

[skipmarcy]

We have about the same - 20 or 30 and that varies from day to day, week to week as always. Been feeding them on the front porch here for 11 years, 2 feeders that hold a quart each and I have to refill every 24 hrs. for most of the season. They look in our windows if we're inside and look for me if I'm outside working if they run out. They will drink right from the stream as I pour the water into the feeder sometimes. In years past, the last to stop in is usually right before Halloween.

 

[QRTRHRS]

The hummingbirds that have to cross the Gulf of Mexico during migration are subject to storms. Opposite of the thread topic is having a down year due to many not making the crossing. Food for fueling up along the way to the coast makes a difference as well.

We are in our second year of feeding at a new house. We had maybe a half a dozen last year and are about double that or so this year what with new young ones. This house is 25 miles due west of our previous one where we hosted about 30 every year. Seems like the numbers start dropping around mid September and we leave feeders up into October just in case.

Knowing that the hummers' migrate to Mexico and the Yucatan; I was amazed to be sitting at a restaurant at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy one time and seeing them work some feeders.

 

[Diggin It]

Daredevil, Stunt Pilot and Comedian all rolled into one tiny package that works harder everyday than most of use do. They signal Spring and Fall. I expect about another three weeks of their entertainment engagement.

 

[oosik]

Thanks Six - I was worried about the last couple of pairs - catching the last train going south. Haven't seen any in two days now - as suggested, I will keep the feeder up for those who may be passing thru on their trip south. In this part of the world and this time of year - there is absolutely NOTHING for the HB's to feed on.

 

[sixdogs]

Thanks Six - I was worried about the last couple of pairs - catching the last train going south. Haven't seen any in two days now - as suggested, I will keep the feeder up for those who may be passing thru on their trip south. In this part of the world and this time of year - there is absolutely NOTHING for the HB's to feed on.

Wife, who knows everything, tells me they eat bugs too. Seeds too. I think the feeders are better and faster and assist in the trip south, however.

On the return trip, they remember where the feeders are, so get them up early in the spring before you see birds. Don't dally. Wife says they have scouts in the spring that pass the word on where the food is and feeders up early is supposed to mean more birds.

 

[Diggin It]

Thanks Six - I was worried about the last couple of pairs - catching the last train going south. Haven't seen any in two days now - as suggested, I will keep the feeder up for those who may be passing thru on their trip south. In this part of the world and this time of year - there is absolutely NOTHING for the HB's to feed on.

I still have quite a few flowers in bloom, some I've planed just for them. As others have noted, my regulars will disappear first and I won't have any for a week or two, then another influx for a few days. That period can get quite entertaining.

 

[sixdogs]

We used to plant about 125 running feet of a small red vining flower that attracted humming birds. We let them climb on the 16' long hog or cattle fence panels the farm stores sell. The hummers really liked them. The plants were an impressive sight, but the feeders were a strong attraction as well.

I can't remember the name of those flowers but every night all the flowers dropped off and every morning new ones opened up. Wife is out now but upon return she will know and I will post the variety.


Also, we've seen birds show up just before dawn and even in the rain and near dark. Humans aren't looking then and may not see the bird coming around.

 

[QRTRHRS]

We used to plant about 125 running feet of a small red vining flower that attracted humming birds. We let them climb on the 16' long hog or cattle fence panels the farm stores sell. The hummers really liked them. The plants were an impressive sight, but the feeders were a strong attraction as well.

I can't remember the name of those flowers but every night all the flowers dropped off and every morning new ones opened up. Wife is out now but upon return she will know and I will post the variety.


Also, we've seen birds show up just before dawn and even in the rain and near dark. Humans aren't looking then and may not see the bird coming around.

Trumpet vine?