Missing Hummingbirds: We’ve lived in the Seattle area for over 30 years and have had many hummingbirds visit our feeders year round (even kept heaters on the feeders when it was below...

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

We’ve lived in the Seattle area for over 30 years and have had many hummingbirds visit our feeders year round (even kept heaters on the feeders when it was below freezing with a foot of snow on the deck).

About three weeks ago the hummingbirds quit coming to the feeders on either side of the house and have not returned since.

Nothing is different in the feeder solution or feeder cleanliness. I haven’t seen any wholesale tree or shrub spraying.

Has anyone else noticed this in their areas?

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

Not this specifically, but I've noticed a change in the general wildlife behavior. Around here there is far less noise from cars and stuff. We are also starting to get some spring weather, so hard to say for sure.

What do you use to attract them? I get some and have been thinking about trying to attract more.

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

sandiegosteve wrote:

Not this specifically, but I've noticed a change in the general wildlife behavior. Around here there is far less noise from cars and stuff. We are also starting to get some spring weather, so hard to say for sure.

What do you use to attract them? I get some and have been thinking about trying to attract more.

I use the pictured feeder. It holds 16 ounces of fluid. I add enough water to 4 ounces of white sugar to get 16 ounces of mixture and stir it until the sugar is dissolved. Feeders that have the fluid above the outlet tend to drip as the outside temperature rises and falls so I don’t use that style.

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

Thanks. And it looks like you live in a very nice place. Well done.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Well Rich, I have had the exact same experience!
In fact, I was so surprised that the hummers had gone away a few weeks ago, I just knew I had done something to effect their staying around.
Seems I was wrong. Our other house (about 30 miles away and closer to town) had hummers all over the feeders during this time but here, farther out in the country, nary a one.

I changed all the feeder water/sugar mixture but to no effect. Then a day ago they came back and have been feeding nonstop!
I’m suspecting the springtime mating call had gotten to the birds as about the time the hummers disappeared, the turkeys were going thru their mating dances.
Could be wrong but I’m glad to see it was not something I had done wrong with their feeders.
They will be back to yours too in just a little while.
Have faith that you are doing thing correctly.
Alex

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

We always look for them to return to where we live in WV and yesterday was the first sighting. All feeders out now!

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

I am still waiting for their Spring arrival here in Massachusetts.

tairving Loc: Magnolia, Texas USA

I think the Spring migration passed up by here (North of Houston). I have seen a very few this year, never more than one at a time. Others in my neighborhood have been asking where are they?

drobvit Loc: Southern NV

RichJ207 wrote:

I use the pictured feeder. It holds 16 ounces of fluid. I add enough water to 4 ounces of white sugar to get 16 ounces of mixture and stir it until the sugar is dissolved. Feeders that have the fluid above the outlet tend to drip as the outside temperature rises and falls so I don’t use that style.

Plenty of Anna's around here. I have three feeders and the hummers are great at draining them. Males are always battling for feeder dominance.
Also, still have white crowned sparrows. Thought they would have migrated back North by now.

Sally A

They may well return after they are done sitting on their nests hatching their babies. Here in Southern California ours disappear for a few weeks and then return. Keep your feeders out - I predict they will return :-)

SweetPea

Has happened for a few weeks in my area for the past 3 years. They always come back