As much as I love hummingbirds, the only ones in my life right now are the ceramic magnetic ones on my refrigerator. I knew moving east of town, farther away from the mountains, would mean fewer hummers at our house. Still, last year we had a slow but steady trickle of visitors. This year? Not a one so far.
I’m beginning to have hummingbird hallucinations. Was that the telltale sound of a hummer in flight? Nope. Probably a visiting grandson with his fidget toy. Was that a hummer headed to the feeder? Nope. Just a small finch hoping to peck at the holes with the sweet water and get an energy boost.
I haven’t given up hope. I know that there’s always an influx of the amazing little birds in July. That’s when the rufouses appear. Even if my only visitors are those rude and belligerent rufouses, I would happily settle for them during this hummer drought.
I’ve tried to figure out what might be detaining them. I put the feeder out on tax day as recommended. I change the nectar often. Yes, the cats hang out on the deck but that’s never deterred the birds before. I bought a fancy new feeder and wondered if they weren’t impressed, so I put up the old feeder. Still no visits. Just a forlorn feeder.
Now I’m beginning to imagine they met some ill fate on the trip here. Could they have been held up in customs crossing the borders in South America or Mexico? Their little tiny suitcases rifled through? Or maybe they were all captured and forced to join some hummingbird circus where attendees are charged sugar cubes to watch their aerial antics!
Wherever they are, I hope they are well. And I hope they come here soon.
Please come soon little guys . . Nancy is in serious withdrawal
Thanks for your support, dear. And yes I am!!
Nancy, I’ve noticed the same thing. All I get on my humming bird feeder outside my front window are bees. I have two feeders in the garden out back. I don’t get out there that often, but my daughter does and hasn’t noticed them there either. Is it too hot???
Thanks for the encouragement, Betty. It seems you would have a lot of them there. Let’s just hope it’s not seriously a hummer drought! Wait for July!
I HUMMbly pray that several of these magnificent birdies arrive soon. Maybe there’s a national wildlife hotline or the local department of wildlife that could advise about the drought?
Thanks, Beth. I tried googling “hummingbird shortage” but didn’t get anything helpful. My friend who consistently has 10-12 at her house on Cheyenne Mtn. said she only has two, so there may be something afoot! ( A tiny foot.)
I’ll watch for them in Monument!
Thanks, Sue. Tell them to come on down!
Hope this helps until your little feathered friends come to visit you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97XRrKKhfxE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLOQjuy2Dyg
Oh wow, Charlie. That is too precious. Thank you!
Me too! where are the little guys? we have had a few when it cools off in the evening but not many. I was ready to go buy a new feeder. Now that I know it is not just me I will hold off and WAIT!
I’m surprised you don’t have any, Kappy. Even Jimmie has only had two. Hope they appear soon!
I’ve heard a few hummers and the feeders have receded just a little … but not to many out my way, either.
The only people reporting a lot are in or near the Black Forest. Hopefully soon!!