How Come So Many All the Sudden?

16 years ago

Every year we have a few hummers, from April until October, when they migrate (to Mexico?). Anyway, this year only, and just in the past couple of weeks, we've had so many of them darting around it makes me dizzy watching them. I've got three feeders up - one hanging directly in front of the kitchen window and they zoom around from first light until almost dark, but so many! Because of the extreme heat this summer, I've had to change their food every day - I found it gets sour (ferments?) in the heat and sun. Impossible to count how many - they're mostly females. But why so many? I wonder if this is weather-related or if word is out that there's lots of flowers and fresh food in our little corner of the world? New migrating pattern? And they sure aren't shy. I laughed at the earlier poster holding a feeder, because I did that too! LOL! I do think if you stood out there long enough with a feeder, they'd perch somewhere on your body. Love them! I wish I had a tiny part of their energy - maybe I should start drinking sugar water...

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Comments (7)

donnalovesblue
16 years ago
Don't know about any new migrating patterns, but the sudden frenzy at your feeders is normal. I've experienced the same thing over the past 2 or 3 weeks. Pretty sure I'm seeing more hummers now than this same time last year, which might indicate that south migration began a little later, and weather might be a factor as well. As long as they are here, I'll continue to help fatten them up!

Donna
patlovesdirt
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh, me too! Last year I'd taken down all the feeders late in October. Then I saw a couple late travelers and had to hustle to get the feeders out again! This year I'm going to leave the feeders up until after Thanksgiving, just to be sure no one misses a meal. Winters here seem to come later(and milder)each year.
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riverspots
16 years ago
So that where my hummers all went! I had a bunch this summer-constantly refilling 3 feeders for several adult females and two broods of young ones. Mine left around Labor Day. I just get an occasional one now passing through.
mimidi
16 years ago
Keep a feeder for for those straglers.
tracey_nj6
16 years ago
I was just thinking that's it's alot earlier than usual, for me anyway. I think October 9th was probably the last day I'd seen a hummer. I haven't seen one in about a week, maybe September 21st or 22nd being the last day I'd seen any of my girls. Wah...
Enjoy the show!
eigdeh
16 years ago
Hi Tracey,

I have not seen a hummingbird here in central Jersey since the first week in September! If I remember correctly, from a few years ago in the perennial forum, you are about an forty-five minutes to an hour north of me.

Have you had many hummers till last week or just an occasional one early or late?

Thanks!

Ken
penny1947
16 years ago
Mine have been gone for over a week. Last evening I had a very hungry and thristy and tired little migrant show up. It drank and rested and rested and drank for over 5 minutes before exploring the rest of the garden. Every time she came to the feeder it was the same thing ... sipping like it was her last meal. She was back at the feeder this morning before daybreak and aboutevery 20-25 minutes.

My feeders will stay up until I can no longer keep them from freezing.

Penny