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Shortage of hummers revisited

R

RayP(MI)

Well-known Member
Last year I had a bunch of hummingbirds. They about destroyed my kitchen budget in sugar consumption. This summer, especially as summer has dragged on, I'm seeing fewer and fewer. Having to clean and refresh sugar water because of non-consumption. Sitting and watching this morning, I note there are a couple of very aggressive birds, probably males, who are driving off any comers. Not a pretty situation. At least that's my take today.
 
At my place in Pa (just outside Erie) it's been the same situation. However, in the last week or so, the activity has picked up quite a bit. Been a strange summer for weather. This is the first time we've been finding millipedes in the house! Probably 5 a day. Never had even one inside in the past 22 years we've been here...
 
We had them for a lotta years and last few seldom if ever see one. We used to put out several feeders in different locations to give the shy ones a chance to get something to eat. Didn't matter, a male would decide that's his and nobody is going to use it but him. I really like it when they get a shot of testosterone for some reason and flash their red breasts. Really beautiful birds.

One thing we learned was to not take down the feeders too early. Since rumor here is that they winter in Mexico, birds coming through from their Northern homes need some nourishment on the way South.
 
There are two types common here, rufus and black chinned. The rufus are larger, aggressive and will run the black chinned off. A single rufus won't allow any other of its kind at the feeder either.
 
This year the rose of Sharon bushes have plenty of flowers and plenty of bees on them but I have not noticed many humming birds on them maybe 1 one time ? Last year the bush was packed with humming birds ?
 
Several things are "Hummers" A Harley Davidson 165 Is a Hummer, as is a Hum Vee. I like the winged creatures as well and have varieties of bird/moth/bee friendly flowers in my yard. Jim
 
Lots at my place. I have 3 feeders and have to fill them every other day. A few days ago I watched a ruby throated male chase a house finch off that had landed too close to "his" feeder. Central Texas.
 
NE Oklahoma.

We have more this year than I have seen in the 12 years we have lived out here, one or two at the feeder at any given time. Not exactly sure why, wife thinks it because of the acre of sunflowers I planted. They see the sunflowers from up high, come down to check it out and find the feeder. Maybe, I don't know...
 
When I was in high school in the early 60's, a "hummer" was a good-looking chick (with other attributes). A common thing to hear was something like ..... "Man, look at the b**bs on that hummer" ....... and that's all I remember doing ..... just looking!!!
 
Sugar cost is tough here too.Lots of em feeding day and night,but we sure enjoy their company!!!!!Well worth it though.Magnificiant creations from our creator. Regards LOU.
 
No feeders here but plenty of flowers they like. Just saw two earlier on the butterfly bush from the kitchen window.
 
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