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

ArlyA · May 16, 2019

Of course the birds are not sterile in any fashion.... Nonetheless, the sugar mix we feed them with grow into something that will make them ill, same if we eat spoiled foods. If its warm out, sugar water needs to be replaced often.

goeduck said:
The hummers have bug and pollen debris on their beeks from feeding that does not help as it contaminates the feeder bowl. Some say not to use soap but I do, I just make sure I rinse very well and clean it often. A big feeder is not good, better small to medium then clean and refill often. I am refilling one of the two feeders every day it seems, 2 cups to each. I never did put up a third, probably should.

goeduck · May 21, 2019

I woke up yesterday to 2 empty feeders. I quickly made up 2 cups of sugar water so it would cool quicker and partially filled each. Today I had to fill both with 2 cups each. The little guys were giving me a haircut as I hung the feeders back up. :laughing:

dragoneggs · May 22, 2019

goeduck said:
I woke up yesterday to 2 empty feeders. I quickly made up 2 cups of sugar water so it would cool quicker and partially filled each. Today I had to fill both with 2 cups each. The little guys were giving me a haircut as I hung the feeders back up. :laughing:

You are getting far more action than me. Lots around but they aren't emptying the tank before I feel guilty and mix up another batch. My wife thinks they know me though as I can sit about 4ft away and they still visit and even buzz my hair. Might be the manly shampoo!

goeduck · May 30, 2019

Okay things are getting a little out of hand around here. Yesterday I filled both feeders, 4 cups of sugar water total. Today both were empty and I just finished filling the second one. I had to shoo away a couple of them to take that feeder down and then one decided to give me a another haircut as I hung it back up after filling. These guys are drinking me out of house and home, it is hard to keep up. This morning I had to make an emergency trip to the grocery store and get 8 more pounds of sugar. :banghead: :banghead:

I was in Bremerton and I forgot to stop at Wilco to get that 3rd feeder.

Gem99ultra · May 31, 2019

Contrary to what most are reporting, we here in mid-Georgia had a little burst of hummers back in early April. They've apparently kept on moving. We've had an unusual heat wave this past few weeks, so I suppose the temperature has been too hot for them to hang out here for the summer.

Last week we had 3 hummers, this week zero. Heck - it's been so hot that even the Carpenter bees are hiding out! Geez - how much longer is it before Fall gets here?

sixdogs · May 31, 2019

We have never had so many hummingbirds in Ohio. For maybe 5 years we had disappointing results and wondered if we should quit. We didn't and last year had hundreds of birds, especially very late in the season as transients moved south. This spring we again had dozens of birds heading north and many days had 30 birds or even more.

We've now settled down to maybe 20-25 birds a day. The best feeder for us is the Perky Pet one that sticks on the window and is flat on the back. No leaks and no ants. Get the plastic one since the glass one is too heavy for the suction cups. This is like the one we use and we got it at Rural King but whatever works for you.

If you're getting slow results know that birds eat lots of bugs in a day as well and warm weather brings the bugs that might be lessening the need for the feeders.

buickanddeere · May 31, 2019

We just have one pair of humming buddies and one pair of orioles . First year that we have had orioles stay. This year the humming bird feeder was modified to also allow the Orioles to partake .
Daily Placing half a sliced orange on the window sill has been a treat for the orioles .

goeduck · Jun 3, 2019

I was hoping the hummers would keep the mosquitos in check. Maybe time for bat boxes?

dragoneggs · Jun 4, 2019

goeduck said:
I was hoping the hummers would keep the mosquitos in check. Maybe time for bat boxes?

We are blessed here with no mosquitoes at our current residence... making dining and entertaining outside a pleasure. Quite the opposite of our last house where sunset was a loud wake up call for those nasty buggers!

dragoneggs · Jun 7, 2019

Holy cow! Freshened up my two feeders with 32oz of nectar last night and right now we have the largest number of hummers at the same time I have ever seen! Aerial dog fights galore!!! I wish I could get pics of this that do it justice. So far, counted max of 8 at once around the feeders. 4 on one, 2 on the other and 2 in flight not waiting their turn!

From my window and iPhone zoomed in...