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

[ponytug]

I got flashed by a rufous the other day coming out of the shop. It was fun to see, and he took his time checking me out. Normally, we only see the rufous here on their migrations north/south for a day or two. I've never seen one here midsummer before.

Our resident Anna's frequent our flowers and water bath, but if I turn up with a new red object, they tend to appear instantly to check me and it out.

All the best,

Peter

 

[sixdogs]

I got flashed by a rufous the other day coming out of the shop. It was fun to see, and he took his time checking me out. Normally, we only see the rufous here on their migrations north/south for a day or two. I've never seen one here midsummer before.

Our resident Anna's frequent our flowers and water bath, but if I turn up with a new red object, they tend to appear instantly to check me and it out.

All the best,

Peter

I'm still wearing my red Grasshopper Mower hat and still getting buzzed by the locals. Coming around the garage, I had a hummingbird again zoom by and scare the cr@p out of me before buzzing away. It may not be this close but seems as though they stop a foot away from hitting me. They sure like red.

Oh, the wife saw them on red geranium flowers the other day and said she never saw that before. The birds this year are the most energetic and vibrant I can recall. Maybe new and different variety of birds?

 

[Gem99ultra]

We're up to around 50 now, an increase of 49 over 2 months ago.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Successful nesting.

 

[oosik]

In the last 3 to 4 days there has been a dramatic decrease in use of the feeder. I think the young have fledged and everybody is moving on.

Either that or now they are drinking lake water and eating more bugs.

 

[kenmbz]

We have the opposite, when I was away the feeder ran dry, the HBs were flying back and forth by my sliding doors over and over again until I filled it.
Now they are happy, think there are about 4, so maybe one is a baby, will have to watch.

 

[deserteagle71]

Mine have gone nuts around here. I have two feeders set up and they are busy all day long. Using about a quart of nectar a day now.

 

[Gem99ultra]

We're filling 6-1 qt feeders every day now for about 50 humming birds. I'm guessing the heat is prompting more food runs for them.

 

[ArlyA]

In the case of rubies, the males are the first to head south, which is about now. The females will hangaround a bit longer but they are the next to head south. The new brood or young, stick around quit a bit longer. May be to add weight before the leave.

 

[ponytug]

In the case of rubies, the males are the first to head south, which is about now. The females will hangaround a bit longer but they are the next to head south. The new brood or young, stick around quit a bit longer. May be to add weight before the leave.

Yup, it is to add weight, and it always amazes me that something so small can go so far. I guess mentally I mistakenly keep thinking that flying takes a lot more energy in total than it actually does. It boggles my mind that they routinely cross the Gulf of Mexico (500 miles).

Hummingbird Migration - Hummingbirds Plus

Like many species of birds, hummingbirds seek out a more tropical climate for the winter months, and will pack up and head south for the cold season. While some choose

www.hummingbirdsplus.org

All the best,

Peter