Have any of you noticed that there are fewer hummingbirds this year?

Question

inspired by my friend ejade. This question came up on P&S and some of us have noticed how few hummers there are this year. Is there any scientific basis for this? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Indeed I have noticed a decreased amount. In years past, I usually have filled 6 feeders daily-all completely empty. Plus I have noticed NO territorial squabbles at the feeders, or multiple birds at one feeder. I live in W. Wash. and we had the wettest, stormiest, coldest spring I can remember with freezing rains, hail and freezing temps into June. Climate has a big effect on migrating birds even these little troopers. Our year arounders are down but I really noticed the lack of Rufous males. Then sadly, I had found two Rufous males dead within 2 days of arrival earlier this spring, and have not seen any since. They were in pretty ragged condition.
I look forward to their visits every year and am amazed at what they have to endure on this long trek to keep their species going. I pray for a better journey when they return next year. They are truely "little jewels" and so awesome!

Answer 2

Please forgive any mis-spellings my spellcheck is not working...

Yes, fewer hummers.
What the other responders are seeing are locally large populations.
Otherwise there has been a general decline of ALL species of birds, esp. songbirds.
This is due to several factors, all come back to human activity:

-- Exploding human population, less wild habitat. This has to do with more intense pressure of the 'burbs, farming, and industry. There are more demands on the land than the land can handle and recover sufficiently as new wildlands.

-- Exploding population of outdoor cats. Cats are not a natural member of the environment. Yes, they are natural born hunters -- with VERY deadly results.

-- Pesticides

-- General apathy or ignorance.

The "science" comes down to human economics, greed, and human over-population. To prosper, there must be expansion. To expand, there is a manic immediateness to destroy rather than work with Nature.

You will see arguments that there are "plenty of places man can expand, prosper, and populate." That "technology will save us." That "the new generation will work it all out." <--- A real "NOT!" on that one. They grow up just as greedy as their predicesors.

Another part of the problem is the lack of interest in real quantitative / qualitative science. Our modern society lives in a surprising and disturbing orb of superstition.
In addition, how many Business majors are there in proportion to Scientists? How many MBAs do you know with an actual "well rounded" education?
My point is:
Money speaks MUCH louder than simple common sense.


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1105_021105_BirdDecline.html

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1763

http://www.audubon.org/bird/stateofthebirds/CBID/
.

Answer 3

Yes, I have. We recently planted more bell type flowers and trees and they are slowly coming back. We are new to our area so we don't know how plentiful they usually are, but we have less this year than last.
It is hotter than usual as well, 115 to 120 degrees.
We are also keeping a fresh water source for them.

Answer 4

I have not seen a shortage...there are lots of them where I am (California)...have found more hummingbird nests this year than I have ever found...they seem to be plentiful this year. I have noticed a shortage in some other species this year however...

Answer 5

Yes I find that there are fewer this year. I have my feeders in the same place as last year, but not as many as last year has showed up.

Answer 6

Nope, hummers as plentiful as normal around here.

Answer 7

we had same problem with it but we put out hummingbird feeders and now we have them every where we hv many difft colors and male female hv been seen we even planted some huney suckle too they love it

Answer 8

umm not around my neighborhood the numbers have grown.