Hummer numbers wayyyyyyyy down

[jcummins]

And I hate it.

Last year I noticed there was fewer, but still 30-40 or so. Previous years we was simply covered up!

At this time, I bet we've got 6...that's SIX or fewer.

Anybody with ideas as to what happened??

 

[davesl708]

I don't know. I have only had two stop at my feeders. Now I have not seen them for two weeks.
Last year was light too.

 

[JerryK]

I don't see as many up here in Michigan. They seem to be more skittish. But maybe that is just me. They seem to eat a lot, though....

 

[teejk]

And I hate it.

Last year I noticed there was fewer, but still 30-40 or so. Previous years we was simply covered up!

At this time, I bet we've got 6...that's SIX or fewer.

Anybody with ideas as to what happened??

Strange year on all the birds here...bluebirds were seeking the box early May and then left. They came back and the first batch only took flight this week. A bumper crop of gold finches and rose breasted grosbeaks although seems to be predominantly male. Our hummer feeders keep going down but I suspect that is at night because I rarely see them. That might mean they are looking to head further north (they travel at night I think). We had a few very warm days in mid April but we had frost and cold after that...and other than a few days since then I would say our temps are at or below "normal" (whatever that is).

 

[Billrog]

The Hummers here have been going through 4 lts. a day in the 2 large feeders we put up. Like a regular airport out side my office window.

 

[skipmarcy]

Here in middle Tn. we have about the normal amount. I'm going thru 2 qts. a day from 2 feeders. At times there are about 15 - 18 feeding/fighting. Some days a few less, others a few more. I've been feeding in the same spot (my front porch) for 9 years now.

 

[Mousefield]

Lots of hummers out our way, both feeders get lots of action.

 

[QRTRHRS]

We were wondering where our usual crowd was as well here in south central KY. There were only two or three until about the middle of June then jumped to maybe 12-15. It's been at least a week since I have had time to sit in the evening and watch. We have six feeders up now and need to fill them daily plus.

When we only had two or three, I saw a male chase another down to the concrete porch really slammig on him/her. It happened so fast I could not tell if the victim was male or female. It was some of most aggressive behavior on the part of a male hummer that I had ever observed.

 

[topbuilder]

For our area it does not get really busy until July. We put out 8 feeders when the whole crowd gets here. Year before last we burned through 54 lbs. of sugar. Last year was slightly more that 1/2 of that. Quite a reduction. No way to really get an accurate count with them moving about. I would guess we have had 100 or more at one time. When that crowd is here we are draining two gallons a day. The tea pot is whistling all throughout the day. About the time we get in a efficient routine 3/4 of them will vanish.
We have had a female over winter with us for two years now. Because of her we started feeding year round. Many (for Texas anything over three is "many") freezing mornings, we would have to keep the feeder in the house and get it back out before daylight. Really made us wonder if she would have survived without us!

 

[Gary Fowler]

Last year I had up 2 feeder but never saw more than 6 at one time. This year it was late before I saw the first one and I only put out one feeder so far this year and just last week that #2 showed up which started the first fight over the nectar. I only put in about a pint of nectar at a time because it grows molder before they can eat it all.