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Hello,

 I have been feeding Ruby_throated Hummingbirds for a few years now. Last year, I had about 15 feeding at once. This year I have seen one female. I am in central Indiana. I live in a small town and have not ever had problems attracting them. Last year I had first seen them visit around the end of March. This year, I put out my five feeders in early April. I have changed the feed every week with a full cleaning. I first saw the female this year at the end of May on the day of changing feeders. She came up to the porch as if she knew there was to be a feeder there which it hadn't been put up yet. I thought, Hmm, she knows that there was a feeder here last year. After putting up the feeders she came and tasted everyone only once then left and didn't return. Now yesterday, I changed the feeders and cleaned them again and sure enough after 20 minutes she came and tasted everyone again and left and didn't return. I am using the same store brand as always. I have bright colored store bought feeders and they all are clean. The water isn't hot or too cold. Its been about 82 degrees outside here with a nice breeze. Nothing different. They are all located out of sight from each other all over my backyard. I have even made my own feed with 4-1 mixture. No added stuff or dyes. I am doing nothing different then I have in the past few years of feeding. I have no idea what is going on. I believe it is only one female and the same female that comes on feed changing day. There is nothing really more I can do to get others to visit. I know that there are wild flowers growing as they do every year but why is this one any different. Anyone have any suggestions or insight as to what is going on?? What else could I do?

I really enjoy watching my Hummers. I have waited all winter for this time to come. I am 8 months pregnant and not currently working and planned on sitting on my porch enjoying watching them. Last year, I could get them to perch on my finger while feeding them. I adore this moment.

Thanks for reading..

I haven't had many either...last year at the high point I had a hummingbird every few seconds...this year...not much. It's been MUCH cooler so far this year, so I wonder if they aren't traveling up our way as much. I have also heard that hummingbird populations flux greatly. Maybe once it gets a bit warmer they might show up more? I don't know, but I have heard a LOT of people complaining about lack of hummingbirds....INCLUDING ME! LOL

I even bought a Fucshia and hung it near my feeder to try to attracts a few more but so far, no takers.
 

Hi Mint!  Not sure what the problem is with hummers this year but it seems to be the general consensous that the hummer population is just low this year for some reason.  I ended up taking all but one feeder down hoping they'll pic up this summer.  I only have about 4 so far

Hope it increases so you can watch them while you hold you little one in your arms!

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Matthew 6:26

Hi Mint5jf,

I'm south of Mulberry, if you know where that small town is in central Indiana.  I'm also concerned about the lack of hummer activity.  I've only been feeding for three years, but this year there is very little activity compared to the last couple years.   I had my feeders up early this year to catch the first arrivals. I change my feeders every other day, and I make my own 4:1 sugar water solution.  In the past couple years, I would easily have four to six of them at a time at the feeder and a couple more waiting nearby for their turn.  This year, I've had one female and one male, and only once have they been at the feeder together.  I'm assuming there's just the two of them simply because I'm not observing multiples at the feeder as in past years.  I have changed nothing about the feeder location or anything to have discouraged them, so I'm as stumped as you are.

This has been a great season so far with the flowering trees and plants, and I wondered if they were less dependent on the feeders this year in light of nature's bounty.  But I have no way to be sure.  My parents live north of Mulberry, and have commented that they aren't seeing hummingbirds at their feeder like in the past. 

I sure hope some folks will add some insight, because it's a concern.  I'll hope the answer is that nature is providing for them given that for the first spring in a couple years, the hail/freeze/storms didn't damage the blooming trees/shrubs. 

Well I am sure glad that its not just me. And I agree with all of you. It does make sense about the weather too. We have had a lot of rain so the wild growth has been full. Keep me posted to what you find out or any news you have about your Hummers. I hope they come back strong as ever!!

Thanks alot

We went for almost 2 months without seeing a Hummingbird, then a couple of weeks ago we began to see one male Anna's coming to the feeder. I kept the feeder fresh just in case one decided to drop by. Then a week ago I saw a Black-chinned male, then a couple of days ago the female Black-chinned began to feed here again. Yesterday just at dusk, dark enough for the flash to kick in, I caught this male Black-chinned. He likes to feed after all the other birds have gone to roost, I reckon!!

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We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
Chief Seattle (paraphrased)

ahhh! I'm so jelous!!

Hummingbird populations seem to be good still where I live (Central NY). I have seen up to 4 in one day this spring, and most days I see at least two at the feeder.

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2008 Yard List: 118
Recent: Hooded Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo
Highlights: Hoary Redpoll, Golden Eagle, Fish Crow
2008 Year List: 181
Recent: Alder Flycatcher, Green Heron
Highlights: Cackling Goose, Black Vulture, Merlin

I guess I'm just spoiled...I am getting a few each day, but I am USED to getting a visitor every few minutes at least! LOL

Frickin' starlings keep making little chirping sounds and I think they are humming birds...it's driving me crazy! LOL

I know what ya mean. This morning I heard a bird and thought it was a humming bird too but it wasn't. I have a platform feeder at my kitchen window and ran too see but nothing.

Hi Mint5jf and everyone else,

I wanted to come back and update my observation as of this first June weekend in Central Indiana.  The hummer activity is really picking up, and I'd say comparable if not more activity than last year.  I was so concerned that they were declining in numbers for some unknown reason, but they are really active at the feeders and carrying on in typical noisy, bickering hummer fashion.

Hooray!  I hope they're putting on a good show in better numbers elsewhere, too!

 

I moved from the Allegan State Game Area in SW Michigan to the suburbs near Grand Rapids Michigan - about 35 -40 miles north.  In the State Game Area I had TONS of hummingbirds.  Since moving here (Gaines Township/Kentwood) I placed my hummingbird feeder in the back yard.  Twice I've had one hummingbird visit briefly.  I'm not sure if they just aren't in this area, if it's too populated, or if I'm impatient.  I will leave the feeder up through summer in hopes that it will be visited soon.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to attract them if they are here or have knowledge of this area regarding hummingbirds?

 We do have a woodchuck, bunnies, deer and very annoying redwinged black birds.

 Thanks for your suggestions.

I am getting so frustrated cause I haven't seen a single one since I last changed the feeders.

We just started getting them in the nomal numbers last week- usually they show mid april in Oklahoma, we are feeding 1 part sugar to 4 parts water