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

[ArlyA]

We seen some here tonight. Houghton MI

 

[sixdogs]

Again we went a couple of days with no activity then POP, 3 show up. All females and they seemed smaller than the average size we had been seeing. Probably young birds getting a late start.

Same here. No birds for a day and then at dawn, two birds. We're leaving a feeder out for a while longer. HB's seem to be on a cyclical rebound and we want to do all we can to help.

EDIT--a couple more stragglers showed up mid-day. We thought they were all gone. Drank a tanker full of food and then buzzed off. I do suspect some stay overnight, fill up pre-dawn and then on the road again.

 

[ArlyA]

The young ones must be heading south by now, so we don't necessarily see them at our feeders, but still could use a sugary drink when they fly by..

 

[QRTRHRS]

Still have four to five this am. Hard to count as at least one seems overly aggressive. I have not had to refill any feeders for about three days now. As the birds drink them down, we are watching for any signs of cloudiness before we take them down later this week. We will put their "go to" feeders back up. Those only hold one cup of sugar water.

I am talking about the two outlined feeders. These are the "go to" feeders. I do not like them though. The bases are not baffled so when filled, one must give them a quick flip to minimize spillage. The yellow plastic mesh outlets are molded so that they can be opened for cleaning only the hinge breaks rendering them junk. I have since replaced them with small red "ports" from older feeders that were leaking.

 

[Gem99ultra]

It seems the hummers around here have also received the word - Go South young man, GO SOUTH. Last week we were seeing 40+. We suspected they were enroute to warmer climates.
Today is our first day with zero hummers. I believe we can safely say they've headed to South Texas and/or Mexico for a spell. We'll leave the feeders out for a couple more days incase there are some stragglers.

On a side unrelated note, the 25+ Canada Geese have also departed. There's a couple that's pretty old that have hung out year-round and seemingly plan to do that again. I can deal with a decrepit old couple, but 25+... No Thanks.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Ruby throats migrate mainly singularly, flying during the day. They "mosey" along, looking for food/feeders along their way. Leaving feeders out does not slow them in their journey but does provide an important food source as they move south.

 

[ArlyA]

Ruby throats migrate mainly singularly, flying during the day. They "mosey" along, looking for food/feeders along their way. Leaving feeders out does not slow them in their journey but does provide an important food source as they move south.

Ya, that's what I was trying to say.

 

[goeduck]

Picking up here from the Alaska and Canadian Rufous travelers heading south. Second camel hump.

 

[psvfd]

Seen three this morning, Ruby throated.
Watched Fox8 in New Orleans last night, they have a segment every Tuesday night, last night was on hummingbirds.

Heart of Louisiana: Hummingbirds

A St. Tammany Parish backyard has become a favorite layover for migrating birds

www.fox8live.com

 

[QRTRHRS]

As I was taking the dog out this am, I paused as usual to do a bird count. The usual three plus I had seen two out front. After feeding my horses, I was making breakfast and my wife looked out at the feeders. She said they are swarming! At least a dozen birds were buzzing around in a feeding frenzy. Awhile later, back to three or so.

I had never seen anything like that during migration, spring or fall. The little "buggers" never cease to amaze me!