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

[goeduck]

How many do you have to drink that much? I doubt I go thru that much in a couple weeks. I will say that either we have more than usual or they're thirstier than usual this year.

There are a few calculations out there based on the bird's total consumption. Using the 187.5 birds per quart figure from paragraph 7, I would have 125 birds.

Out My Backdoor: Counting Hummingbirds Is No Easy Task | Department Of Natural Resources Division

By Terry W. JohnsonAugust is indeed a special month. For the state’s students, it marks the end of summer vacation and the return to the classroom. For Georgia sportswomen and men, the 2010-2011 hunting season is ushered in with the opening of squirrel season. And for the backyard naturalist...

georgiawildlife.com

 

[goeduck]

I went out of town today after putting out a fresh quart yesterday afternoon...... Empty when I got home this afternoon. 1 quart 1 day. I am thinking a neighbor is on vacation or something. I usually don't see rapid changes within a week or two like this.

 

[oosik]

As of last Wed - back up to the usual - eight hummers. They go thru my two cup feeder in one day.

 

[goeduck]

Another day, another quart. I am now figuring that this is not a fluke since I checked and all the neighbors are here. This rate equals my all time high, but the timing is unusual since flowers and bugs are out in spades.

 

[goeduck]

I started putting out a half gallon at a time. Not because they are drinking that much every day, but it gives me a break from refilling with a quart every day. I thought because of the avian flu last year I would be below my quart a day highpoint of last spring. Not so, I am at about 1-1/3 quart a day this last week.

 

[Emainiac]

We have 5-6 this year when it is normally two. My wife makes her nectar with sugar and water and can't keep up with it.

 

[sixdogs]

We have 5-6 this year when it is normally two. My wife makes her nectar with sugar and water and can't keep up with it.

The birds do seem to be making a recovery after a bad year in 2022. If you recall, there were bad storms in 2021 that we thought damaged their winter breeding grounds.
We were had a lot less birds last year and, while still lower than normal this year, see some improvement in numbers. We can only be jealous of goeduck that must have 55 gallon drum feeders in WA state.

We've had good years and bad years but have learned to keep putting out the nectar regardless and eventually they return in big numbers.

 

[goeduck]

We've had good years and bad years but have learned to keep putting out the nectar regardless and eventually they return in big numbers.

That is key and so is keeping it fresh with clean feeders.

 

[sixdogs]

Here's the map--I hope--of the 2024 hummingbird migration dates. More are added as birds are seen. They are only in the south coastal US so far but it looks like an early season. We're ready.

2024 Hummingbird Migration Map

hummingbirdcentral.com

 

[arto98607]

In our area hummingbirds stay all year round, and have survived this winter's lowest temperature about -10*C or 14*F with 55 mph wind at the same time, which I find amazing!

 

[sixdogs]

In our area hummingbirds stay all year round, and have survived this winter's lowest temperature about -10*C or 14*F with 55 mph wind at the same time, which I find amazing!

I don't know how your area pulls off year round birds. That, plus dozens of birds on feeders at one time. Nothing like that around here.

 

[ponytug]

They are year round, here too, and we get some snow and lots hard freezes. It makes me realize how much of their diet isn't nectar. I see them often picking things off of spiderwebs, often little insects like ants, gnats, and mosquitos. Anna's are our most common visitor.

Anna's Hummingbird Life History, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Anna’s Hummingbirds are among the most common hummingbirds along the Pacific Coast, yet they're anything but common in appearance. With their iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rose-pink throats, they are more like flying jewelry than birds. Though no larger than a ping-pong ball and no...

www.allaboutbirds.org

Do Hummingbirds Eat Bugs? [13 Bugs On Their Menu!] - Birdwatching Buzz

Avid birdwatchers will probably be familiar with the importance of feeding hummingbird plenty of their favorite food – that is, nectar! Yet, if you’ve managed to attract these most exquisite of feathered friends to your feeders, you may also be keen on offering something other than just nectar...

birdwatchingbuzz.com

They often do their mating dances between the house and the barn. I always enjoy the show.

All the best,

Peter

 

[goeduck]

There has been a slight uptick in the year-round Annas feeding lately. It is too early for the traveling Rufous variety. That is when I am refilling feeders nearly every day. Kind of a 2-hump camel back activity here, a hump in spring and then another in fall as the travelers go to Canada/Alaska and return. Some summer-over here.

 

[goeduck]

I noticed the feeder consumption had gone up lately, but today I saw my first of the migratotory Rufous hummers. Skinny guy drinking and drinking. I can't see the feeders from in the house, I only saw this bird because I had a full feeder to change out for the near empty feeder it was drinking from.

Hummingbird Migration Patterns and Maps

www.hummingbirdcentral.com

 

[psvfd]

The first pair showed on the 3/20, only one feeder out now till more show. Rudy throated.

 

[sixdogs]

Nothing in Ohio yet despite our warmer weather. The birds apparently know a head fake when they see it. Prior years show April 18 or so as a typical arrival date so we're on hold for now.

 

[ArlyA]

I'd guess everyone see birds which are not the 1st through.

 

[Oaktree]

I don't know how your area pulls off year round birds. That, plus dozens of birds on feeders at one time. Nothing like that around here.

Nor here. Our hummingbird season is mid-ish May thru early-mid Sept. If we have anything other than ruby throat, I've never seen them. I don't go thru anywhere near the amount of fake nectar that some here report either...typically I'll refill a feeder every week and a half or so. Less often when everything's in bloom.
RTs are quite territorial, and will chase others away from a feeder...sometimes will wait and ambush another one. You NEVER see them sharing it.

 

[Gem99ultra]

We've seen 2 scouts so far here in Mid-Georgia. That's usually about 2 weeks before the flocks arrive. We're looking forward to seeing those little guys arrive.

 

[JPRambo]

I put out the feeder a week ago and saw two ruby throats Sunday. None yesterday. And it's lightly raining today but, saw, I assume, the same 2 early this morning. I tried to get a picture but they are quicker than I am.