Where id my hummers go?!
 

Suddenly 3 days ago hummingbirds stopped coming to my feeders!! They have been very busy this year, even through the winter when I even had to unfreeze the nectar.

Would think that migration was earlier than this from SW Washington if they were going somewhere. They are usually visiting all day long till after dark!

Any ideas, bird lovers? I miss them! :(

Check the feeders for bugs/debris. Mine will stop visiting the feeders if ants or bees get into them and foul the nectar.

Thanks, Mom. No problem there! Have ant baffles and wash almost daily. Haven't seen them around on the roses and bushes either just these last few days!

Is there any chance that your "feed" has gone bad?

Kind of like when sewing and changing out the bobbin and re-threading ... perhaps start fresh by washing your feeders and a new batch of nectar.


Here's hoping yours come back real soon ... maybe they're just on a little holiday!
I've had quite a few this year ... and guess what? I do not feed ... they must like my hanging basket and planters! :D

I had to take mine down as bee's were swarming around it so bad even with the bee guards. I still see them around my flowers but not as much as I am used to.

I do too! I use little feeders and have to fill them every day! I use sugar/water that I make (they seem to prefer it) and keep any extra in the fridge. Thanks, tho!

Our weather hasn't been a problem - and to go from 3 very active feeders (they used to sit in the trees above while I filled them) to nada!!?? weird!

Baby woodpeckers get on my hummingbird feeders and drain all the nectar out. I only buy the red nectar that has vitamins and minerals in it. My hummers are still around and come to the feeder to find it all gone. They do get on the honeysuckle vine. The bees will show up later and run both off. The hummers may be nesting in your area.

Didn't know orioles ate nectar too? And purple finches? What do they eat? I found that Goldfinches are happy with Sunflower seed. So much cheaper than thistle! Just saw one hummer! Tried the nectar but then came to the window to stare at the cactus flowers! Did I maybe put water instead of nectar in the feeder - was good enough for them every other day! I'm going to wash and refill, too. Kinda like when we re-thread and re-bobbin out machines when they don't work!

Kitsie ... yes orioles like nectar too. I remember reading a few years ago, that you should not feed them the same mix ... forget what the recipe was for orioles. Purple finches will eat the same as the sunflower seed ... though mine always have liked the niger aka thistles!

No sooner refilled the backyard one and hadn't even gotten up the stairs and ahhh, the familiar sound! One is back!

you may need toclean out your feeders.

at our place the wild flower are in full bloom. I been think that is y we are not having any?

I have observed our hummers absent for a few days as the days become warmer then all of a sudden show up to feed at their feeder. We were very fortunate to have a mama hummer build a nest on our patio fan this spring. Watching the two baby hummers grow and to be present when they fledged was awesome. Lately, I find them at the feeder early in the morning before the sun . Here's a pic of the two babies before they fledged.

Don't buy the red nectar-the hummingbird websites warn against it. Use 1 part sugar to 4 parts tap water. Mix it in a pitcher with a lid. Refrigerate any leftover nectar for up to a week or so. Change the nectar every couple days; especially if it's hot. Once it starts getting cloudy, it must be changed. Every other time, take the feeders down and wash them in a mild detergent with a little bit of bleach to kill any bacteria inside of them. I usually have 4-6 feeders going. I've had 10 times more hummers since I read the article and stopped buying the red nectar.

i have a few at my feeder now. but last year i could hardly keep up with them. changing five times or more a day.it may be the weather run them off course.they came late too.this year.

charlotte nc and we just remarked at breakfast where's the hummingbirds. I will have the feeder checked to make sure it's clean. Have a great day.

Our birds leave for a while sometimes, I think when babies are being born.

Same thing here. When I first filled the feeder, a hummer came many times a day. I added more nectar (also homemade) and no more visits. I took it down, cleaned it, made new nectar, still no visits. I've done everything I can think of and I now see an occasional hummingbird but nothing like at first or even last year when they fought over this feeder, which was hanging in the same place as now. I know the nectar is correct, I know the feeder is clean, no ants or bugs or mold. I can't figure it out, either, but I keep watching and hoping they'll come back more often.

Just thinking this all thru ... perhaps their disappearance is a sign that there is "real" food for them in the area? (ie flowers!) And that they are going for the real thing, instead of the substitute.

I also noticed that I haven't had as much activity with hummers at my feeders. Usually, they seem more active early morning and late evening. Orioles will also feed on sugar water, no color necessary. I also put out oranges for the orioles, and have seen finches, red breasted woodpeckers, and others eating the oranges.Apples also work for most birds,gray catbird, cardinals, finches, rose-breasted grosbeaks.

Hummingbirds
 

I live in WA State as well....about a week ago, my hummingbirds left as well. Then, this week, they are back! I put fresh red colored sugar-water in the feeder. I love to watch these tiny creatures!

ladydukes

Ahh, so its not just me! Actually saw 2 yesterday! One must have been new - it was fun watching the little one try to find where to stick its beak! I do use just the sugar water nectar. Good to know this is pretty much normal.

I think I have a nest in the Leyland Cypress hedge. Would love to see the nest and those tiny eggs!!! Thanks, Nanny'sDollface for the picture!

Now that you've mentioned it, I haven't noticed any hummingbirds this year.

The red-winged blackbirds are sure around, though!!

Our hummers were late and I think the chicada humming kept them away. A few came back and I change the water every few days but have not seen many. A friend a few miles away did not have any chicadas and has a lot of humming birds. :-(

Louisiana the hummers came the first week of May then they left !!!!! Why/ Where did they go ????We do now have red headed House Finches eating there at the feeders on the red syrup. Oh well .... Hugs

Probably nesting

Usually when the babies hatch out, the mothers will eat mostly insects to feed the young with. This time of year you will mostly only see males ay your feeders...an occasional female that wants a treat or has lost her young, but the females won't come back till the babies fledge(learn to fly)..then she will bring them to the feeders.
Also, this time of year, there are so many insects and flowers out, that the males hit the feeders less often...but keep feedng them..the babies and moms will be back in a couple of weeks!
I usually only put about an inch of food in the feeders this time of year so it won't go bad in the heat...when I see more action, I will fill them higher.

Try calling your local county extension agent. I bet they know what is going on in your neck of the woods.

We have fewer hummers than in previous years. They are still hitting the feeders, but also are hot & heavy on the flowers blooming. We are wondering also why there are fewer hummers this year.

I have had about the same number of hummers this year as before, we have 8 feeders out. This week have had a problem with bees. Had the same problem last year, may I ask where you found your bee guards? I would like to feed both the bees and the hummers, as I know we really need bees to help with pollination, but I prefer my hummers. I know I have to watch for ants as well, DH has put some water in the top section near the hanger of our feeders that have the little space, this keeps the ants away, but not the bees. I make my own feed. boil my tap water, then use 4 cups of water to 1 cup of sugar. When it is cool I put it in a special container in frig. I always use warm soapy water to clean my feeders each time I refil them. We have feeders in the front yard and the back yard.
Had a new metal roof put on week before last and had to move the feeders from usual place, but they soon found the new place. They weren't too happy with the noise from the roofing, but really fed each evening. Had some bad thunder storms this week, and they fed a lot just before the storm hit, and as soon as they were over. Hope your babies come back, so fun to watch.
I love the pic. of the babies and the fan, how cool to have your own little hummer nursery. I understand they often come back each year to nest in or near the same place. You may have annual boarders to watch. What fun!

Funny that you should post this as I have been having the same experience. I live outside of Philadelphia. Last year I had loads of hummers. This year, not too many. I just changed the feeder yesterday and I haven't seen one since.

They are probably sitting on eggs right now. I know mine are not around this time of year. When the little ones fly they will be back

Last year my hummingbirds suddenly disappeared in the middle of the summer. I looked it up on the internet and found that they don't feed much when nesting. Maybe, since they aren't in the garden either, yours are now nesting. they should be back before the end of summer.

Yay! :thumbup: They're slowly returning!! I've seen a few around again! Don't think I've ever seen a baby at the feeders - or anywhere for that matter! Probably too small to see! Maybe thought they were bees! LOL Just happy to see them And the baby House Swallows trying their wings. One even chased a hummer just now!
Enjoy your day everyone!

I usually keep 5 feeders out. Last summer I was feeding a gallon of sugar water a day with hundreds of hummers. This summer we had about 40 hummers earlier, but are now down to about 15. They seem to be most active early in the morning and just before sunset. I do rotate the feeders so each one is cleaned and fresh sugar water put in every other day. I look forward to August when they will be coming back south, stopping over to refuel at our feeders before heading further south.

I used to have a lot of hummers too and then neighbors moved in with lots of cats. No more hummers. Darn. I sure love to watch them. I haven't had many orioles this year but then I caught a cat killing one on my front porch so I think that deters them.
Lynda

I wish I knew a way to keep the bees away but I made my own ant stoppers. I used paint can lids and attached a wood peg to the center inside the cap and sealed so water wouldn't leak out and put a cup hook in the top of the peg and one coming out the bottom of the cap. I then hang the cap and fill with water and hang the feeders on the hook in the bottom. I had to seal it well though.
Lynda