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

[goeduck]

Still refilling every 3 days, but I increased the amount from a pint to a quart. Temperatures are warming up (got to 56 degrees F today) so they are probably not conserving energy by going into torpor. Resident Annas nest from Dec to May.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...I have a friend in Ocala FL that saw a Rt'ed hummer a week or so ago...they do not usually show up in south FL until March...

 

[sixdogs]

Scroll down a little and this chart shows when to expect HB's in your area.

Hummingbird Migration Map 2023 Sightings & Patterns

Hummingbird Migration Map for 2023 - listing of 2022-2023 hummingbird sightings and migration patterns (Spring & Fall). View map & download species guide.

www.hummingbirdsplus.org

There is also a 2023 sightings chart but I can't find it at the moment. It might be too early but they start showing up way down south in a few weeks. I'll post the chart when I find it.

 

[goeduck]

In this cold snap I must be the only one locally with feeder heaters to prevent freezing. I have had many more birds the last few days and I do think some were Rufous (our primary migratory species), at least they looked to be. I have opaque blinds on the windows near the feeders, so it is hard to tell at times, but the profile on some look to be Rufous.

 

[sixdogs]

Below is the 2023 hummingbird migration sightings map. People report when and where they saw their first HB and this is the US map. They've already made landing down south and headed our way.

2023 Hummingbird Migration Map

www.hummingbirdcentral.com

 

[ArlyA]

I thought some rubbies wintered in Florida and other coastal area's?

 

[goeduck]

I thought some rubbies wintered in Florida and other coastal area's?

This would indicate you are correct, southern Florida as wintering ground for Rubies.

Distribution Map: Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbirds

journeynorth.org

 

[arto98607]

It was about 18 or 19*F outside early yesterday morning and hummingbirds were busy feeding in our backyard!

The feeders have to be switched every few hours when it's like that.

PS. These are species that do not fly south during winter.

 

[goeduck]

^^ Repost of my heater in case you are interested.

 

[psvfd]

We did see the first Ruby-throated humming bird today at our feeder, southeast Louisiana.