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

[psvfd]

I have alway seen pictures of nests that look like your but around here I'm not sure of nest construction. After a big storm in the fall I often see very small and fluffy birds nest the size you would expect a HB to use. They aren't made of clay and such but rather pieces of a certain hard type of grass stems. No wide grass but rather the short and hard stems only. Do you think these are HB nests?

Saw our first two baby HB's at the feeder today. About half normal size but drank up and left in a hurry.

Hard to say what I have read they make nest of what is available where there is a good food source. Just my thoughts. There has been no activity at the nest since the thunder storms any rain. There are several birds feeding at the feeders, hard to say how many the way they fly in and out.

 

[japody]

We've had only a few hummers this year. We usually have 20 -30 by this time. Wonder why?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Mortality among migrating birds is huge. Populations rise and fall.

 

[sixdogs]

We've had only a few hummers this year. We usually have 20 -30 by this time. Wonder why?

We have had that happen and figure they are eating bugs or spending time in the nest. Earlier in this thread it was mentioned that HB's eat some phenomenal amount of bugs per day and that the feeders we put out are an extra for when they need it.

We've had only a few early hummers some years only to be swamped later. Beats me.

 

[goeduck]

Based on this link I have about 126 hummingbirds as dependents

ESTIMATING HUMMINGBIRD NUMBERS BY NECTAR INTAKE

A little shy of a quart a day right now and holding steady. Very few flying bugs as of late.

 

[ArlyA]

Our feeders have been very busy this summer with males and females. Suppose I should get a photo of them.... I read someplace that they consume lots of small bugs in the air, many of which are hard for us to see.

 

[MoKelly]

We just had our first sighting today! Finally.

There are 2 at the feeder now.

MoKelly

 

[goeduck]

We just had our first sighting today! Finally.

There are 2 at the feeder now.

MoKelly

Yahoo! Off to the races

 

[oosik]

I think I've gained another pair or two. It's obvious the wildflowers aren't providing much - they all are relying on the feeder more each day.

 

[japody]

Still only have a few. Highly unusual.

 

[BoylermanCT]

We have our normal number in CT. I am re-filling my 8 feeders every 3-4 days.

 

[kenmbz]

We saw a few , but have not seen them this week.
Usually have 3-4 at the feeder each evening.

 

[sixdogs]

We had a baby HB yesterday that came to the feeder, then flew close to the ground and between two square planter boxes on the porch and appeared to be practicing aerial maneuvers. He would fly one way, pause and then do a snap 180, fly back, pause and then another zip 180 rapid turn. It did for for maybe 45 seconds and then flew off. No question it was learning how to fly. Very cute and never saw that before.

We went from almost no visits prior years to a banner year last year with thousands of visits and hopefully what is a repeat of that this year. I think the attention to changing and keeping fresh food in the feeders regardless of how many showed up has helped. Not totally sure but think you just have to keep at and they will come.

 

[oosik]

I think I still have only two or three pairs. My "normal" number is five or six pair. Maybe they are just late this year.

 

[goeduck]

We went from almost no visits prior years to a banner year last year with thousands of visits and hopefully what is a repeat of that this year. I think the attention to changing and keeping fresh food in the feeders regardless of how many showed up has helped. Not totally sure but think you just have to keep at and they will come.

I agree 100%

For me in the morning it has become feeders first, coffee second. Quite a departure from the past

 

[sixdogs]

I agree 100%

For me in the morning it has become feeders first, coffee second. Quite a departure from the past

That has long been my argument to feed animals first and people second. We do that and the birds love it. Dogs love it as well as feed the farm animals first. Also, I think it builds a character in kids that there are some things in life more important than them such as animals and people that rely on you to be there.

 

[oosik]

Exactly two pair this year. Expect to see the young fuzz balls soon. Light use of the feeder this year. The Mock Orange followed right on the heels of the Western Service berry. Favorite food source for the hummers in our area.

 

[sixdogs]

Exactly two pair this year. Expect to see the young fuzz balls soon. Light use of the feeder this year. The Mock Orange followed right on the heels of the Western Service berry. Favorite food source for the hummers in our area.

We've seen HB's eating bugs off my wife's flowers and roses.

 

[MoKelly]

Here is a picture I took the other day.

Someone asked what type of hummingbird. I didn’t even know there were different types!

We’ve had 2 or 3 everyday day for a few weeks.

MoKelly

 

[goeduck]

There is that elusive stork hummingbird again. Wait a minute,,,, probably the more elusive giraffe hummingbird