? lack of hummers ?

[mdaphoto]

this year i filed my feeders when the azalias started to bloom as i have done in the past, with in a week i saw my first hummer of the season. he stuck around for about three days but since then nada, zilch, nothing.

has anybody eles noticed a lack of hummers this year? i'm wondering if it has anything to do with last years drought.

[yellalablady]

My first ones showed up rather late this year. Don't seem to be as many as in past years here, either. I miss the little guys.

[Doug_Ellingson]

I have had my feeder up for two weeks now, and only seen one. Last year, I had 4 around most of the time.

Doug

[barmstrong]

Saw one here a month ago and filled up my feeders. None have visited since.

[randy]

I filled my two hummingbird feeders this past Monday evening and had two hummers the next day. By Wednesday I was seeing three at a time, but I do have flowers that they also love.

Randy

[SkipP]

this year i filed my feeders when the azalias started to bloom as i have done in the past, with in a week i saw my first hummer of the season. he stuck around for about three days but since then nada, zilch, nothing.

has anybody eles noticed a lack of hummers this year? i'm wondering if it has anything to do with last years drought.


Mark, I'm thinking it has more to do with gas prices than anything else. Seems nobody wants to travel long distances this year!:D

Seriously, I'm seeing much the same here. Normally, I've filled the feeder three times by now. This year, it's been filled twice...but only because I thought the first batch was bad.

Your guess is the same as mine. The drought caused less food to be available along their migratory path so, they've gone elsewhere. I sure hope this is just a single-year thing.

[donnaeaton]

I've only seen one this year and that was about a month ago. I put the feeders out but no takers since then. I have flowers for them also but they are just not around.:( I saw just one when I was in the Smokies in April.

[kimberly]

I am along the coast and I also have noticed a lack of hummers. I have yet to see one at my house and I have had feeders up since April 1. I did see one at Brookgreen but usually see alot there!?

[mark]

Hmm, I have about 5 in my back yard all day long, one mature male and several younger ones. BUT About once a week I am getting a Rufous! Several have been seen in the Georgetown County this past month. They are about a thousand miles from home!

[mdaphoto]

just out of curiosity mark, how affected was your area by the drought last year? being coastal i wonder if vergitation got more moisture from the ocean.

thanks for the replies everybody, its nice to know they aren't mad at me for some reason.

[barmstrong]

Well, the hummers are finally showing up here so there is hope. Since Saturday, I have had 2 - 4 at the feeders pretty much hourly. Not near as many as last year but looking up...

[abaldwin]

I have 5 or 6 hummers in my backyard. The first appeared about 30min. after I put up the first feeder. They have been very active all season.