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

sixdogs · Oct 6, 2018

dragoneggs said:
Diggin it, don't know where you are located? Here in the PNW... we still have hummingbirds visiting our feeder. In fact, I made some more sugar water today as they continue to empty it. Not as many now but still a few... but this has been another great year for them. Keep thinking we need a second feeder because of the wars around the one. Ours routinely sit still and feed for a minute rather than hover. Quite enjoyable.

They seem to know me and I sit on my deck 5ft away and it doesn't spook them. Often they come close to me... so close that one tried to land in my hair this summer. I sort of panicked and wacked him away. :laughing:

A second feeder? My wife puts up four or five. Two are the suction cup type that stick to the windows while the others go on metal hooks in the yard. We didn't plan it that way but as more came, they became territorial and she wanted to make sure they all got a chance at a feeder. I think I heard they eat their weight in bugs every day as well. What fascinating little creatures.

dragoneggs · Oct 7, 2018

I know... but I don't want to become obsessed! Okay, more feeders next year. thanks sixdogs.

QRTRHRS · Oct 11, 2018

We were down to two up to yesterday anyway. This am I saw just one. This evening while it was still light enough for them to be feeding normally, the temp was 57 degrees. I was not seeing any at all so they may have gotten the message today and flew the coop so to speak.

goeduck · Oct 12, 2018

I noticed both my feeders were empty yesterday (after 1 week) so I refilled both today in case there are any more stragglers.

dragoneggs · Oct 12, 2018

goeduck said:
I noticed both my feeders were empty yesterday (after 1 week) so I refilled both today in case there are any more stragglers.

We still have a few draining the feeder... wondering though if this is the last of them with a good little stretch of nice fall weather? Forecast looking good through most of next week! :thumbsup:

Too bad I am on the road again until Wednesday. :smiley_aafz:

goeduck · Oct 12, 2018

I saw one feeding on a late blooming shrub and another one at one of the the feeders fueling up. I am sure glad I refilled even if it was just for these two little guys.

goeduck · Oct 14, 2018

I saw two fueling up at one of the feeders today.

sixdogs · Oct 14, 2018

goeduck said:
I saw two fueling up at one of the feeders today.

Why is WA still getting birds? Shouldn't they have been gone by now?

goeduck · Oct 14, 2018

sixdogs said:
Why is WA still getting birds? Shouldn't they have been gone by now?

Our days are still in the mid 60s. Today was knock dead gorgeous. The marine climate down the pacific coast must give the hummers from Alaska more time? I do not know but I feel good when I see them fueling up. :thumbsup:

goeduck · Oct 15, 2018

goeduck said:
Our days are still in the mid 60s. Today was knock dead gorgeous. The marine climate down the pacific coast must give the hummers from Alaska more time? I do not know but I feel good when I see them fueling up. :thumbsup:

This might explain it. The Rufous are the mostly northerly summer range hummingbird and they have a LONG ways to go to their wintering ground. :thumbsup: go little guys !!

Alaska's Backyard Birds — Rufous Hummingbird, Alaska Department of Fish and Game