Yes, it is almost as sad as seeing the first juncos arrive. My last hummer sighting was 3-4 days ago.

tj

I was surprised to see them up until about 3 days ago. Some years they are gone in Aug. It is sad to see them go!

I can't remember exactly how many days ago it was, but a while ago I remember watching a female at the feeder. She was there for a long time (much longer than normal). At that point I knew she was stocking up for the journey home, and sure enough a few days later they were gone.

I had one hanger-on, but I haven't seen her for a few days. I suspect the feeders will go to the garage this weekend. :(

Haven't seen one here in almost 2 weeks. Took the feeders down and put them away. So sad!

Mine have been gone for about two weeks, also. They left right before a cold storm came through even though we had some warm days after that. I wish them all safe journeys and look forward to seeing them again next April.

I haven't seen any Juncos yet, but I am hearing Northern Flickers. Time to put out suet again.

Ok, I am embarrassed showing my utter ignorance here --> where do they go? I thought they over-wintered/hibernated up here in the winter

It depends on where you live and the species of hummingbird. Most birds that do migrate spend winters in Mexico and Central America and the spring and summers in North America, some as far north as eastern Canada and into Alaska.

On the west coast, Anna's seldom migrate and spend the entire year in the same location......or relatively close to it :-) We also get some migrating species as well.

My last sighting was Sept. 28th. It's always sad to see them go!

I'm sorry about the hummingbirds leaving. I am lucky a few of the hummingbirds have taken up residency here in my yard in NorCal. Right now they're still arguing about their feeders. I do feed them pretty much all year. They are a joy to watch.

My hummingbirds are sparse anyway (I only have flowers, no feeders), so I think they left here (7b, middle Tennessee) quite sometime ago. If course, I also thought the goldfinches were gone and I saw one Sunday. So what do I know?!

Instead, I have butterflies and caterpillars, so that's my current "entertainment"

gardengal..your pic surprised me..I never knew a hummingbird could show up where there's snow..I thought they couldn't tolerate anything less than warm weather..I learned something..

Mine left about Oct. 1-2, but a few keep coming by at 1-4 per day. I'm keeping two fresh feeders up at this point. Southeast Texas

WA

Wow- they left my area around end of Sept. RI - Did not know they could live in a snowy area as shown in that pict. Yes, sorry to see them go. This is the first year I have seen so much of them. Feeder outside my LR window so get to relax and watch them all day. Here's a couple having a face off.

First, the PNW is not exactly a "snowy area" :-) We can get occasional snowstorms but they are not all that common. Some years there is not a hint of snow. And overall, we live in a pretty mild winter climate so food sources - other than feeders - remain present.

And that is probably more critical to their winter survival up north than are cold temperatures. Hummers are able to withstand well below freezing temps as long as there is plenty of food. They enter a semi-hibernation state at night called torpor which reduces their metabolism significantly, allowing both a substantial drop in heartbeat and body temperature, allowing them to be better able to withstand cold.

But they need food when they wake up with the daylight. Fortunately, we have both plenty of insects in winter as well as quite a few nectar-bearing and winter flowering plants. And I keep the feeder going all winter long as well, as much for my entertainment as for their benefit :-)

That's super that you have year round gnats to strain and nits to pick!

I just noticed that I can't edit my home page or view anyone else's activity on their home pages, so nobody can PM anybody, but the threads are back at least.