Calliope mentioned in another topic about the lack of hummers at his/her house. I went over to the hummingbird forum on GW and there are a couple posters from PA and MN reporting absent or nearly so hummers also.

Thoughts/experiences/info?

John

Just the same, I can see a possible reason for few birds. The hummingbird native to most of the eastern migrate south to Mexico for winter, and then back north in the spring. There in lie the problem. Last years drought was not confined to Texas, but much or Mexico as well. Worst in 70 years for much of Mexico, and since the 1950's for Texas. That means there were very few plants flowering along the migration route, and probable the wintering grounds as well. Which means much less food and much fewer birds able to make the trip. So it would seem likely there are few birds at this time due to climate factors. However, unless there is something else, drought worsens, repeated, their numbers will likely bounce back quickly. BTW, deep south snow storms periodically kill large numbers of Bluebirds as well as other birds that winter in the southern US.

Arktrees

Didn't know that about the bluebirds. We have quite a few of them around the house and a couple of bluebird boxes for them, too.

John

Much of it has to do w/how they fare during migrations & down in the tropics/subtropics during the winter.

j0nd03, back in mountainous VA I had nearly a dozen regular hummers. I could take my feeder, place it in my lap, and after some hesitation, they'd eventually feed right there! They were quite aware that I was a living animal -- watching my face closely.