Sounds like me Claudia, maybe I will dig out the Hummzinger too, it is not one of my favorite, found it spills when it's windy and it is almost always windy here, my favorite is Dr. JB's http://www.drsfostersmith.com/...

Ann - My guess is that the increase in hummingbird numbers are juvenile birds that have recently fledged. Which is good because that means that you have at the very least 2 nesting females and each had 2 babies. Now they are coming to your feeders. My guess is that you have more than what you are seeing. Rule of thumb is to double the number of what you see to get an estimate of how many you may actually have.

The adult male(s) you are seeing could be the papa(s) or just birds on the move. Many times hummers have 2 clutches of babies. One in Spring and the other later in the Summer. Typically they are done with raising babies by early Fall and that's when they all start moving south for Winter.

Perhaps this is a very good year for hummers where there are more than usual having babies and are moving around?

The fact that I saw 2 birds at the same time in the middle of July is highly unusual here. It's a first! I am guessing that my two could be related since this Spring/Summer. Either way, it's cool to see more than ever before!

Interesting article Ann.

I agree! That was a very interesting article!!! Thanks for sharing the link!

You are welcome!

Claudia, put all your feeders out in a cluster!

This quickly they are adjusting to the cluster. Oh they are still trying to get a pecking order down pat but while we were eating dinner I looked out & saw 2 hummies sitting & sipping one on EACH of the feeders on the shepherds hook.

Becky - that mature male or *a* mature male has been here since the hummies came back this spring. I *think* he was one of the ones born here last year. I know we had a juvie male here last year so I think this could very well be him grown up. One can't really be sure of anything but it seems like our original hummies returned this spring & with them the juvies from last years nests here. Each year we have had increase. But I also think we are seeing "yankees" now that are passing through to points south.

mcash70 said:Sounds like me Claudia, maybe I will dig out the Hummzinger too, it is not one of my favorite, found it spills when it's windy and it is almost always windy here, my favorite is Dr. JB's http://www.drsfostersmith.com/...

I think I still have a couple of those! I have an old ice cooler I keep them in. I know I got rid of a few old feeders last year during the community garage sale.

Will try the clustering

Ann - Well, you just never know if a bird is a returnee. I like to think that way, too! I call my over-wintering hummers the "boys" and I have names for each of them. This past Winter they had their favorite perches around my yard and had their own personalities. I had one I named "Squeak" because he would squeak up a storm at me if I went into his garden territory. He was so cute. I hope he returns this Winter. He was one of the 3 birds that was banded, so perhaps I will be able to photograph his leg to get the number to verify his return.

You know with this climate change, it seems we had an early Spring (early March) and Summer started in May for me, not June. So it's definitely been a weird year. Maybe the birds are migrating early this year. Though deep down I kinda doubt it. I think there is just a lot more hummers coming to feeders these days. Hang up feeders or plant the right plants .... and they will come!

We could not decide whether to cluster in the front or the back. So have decided to leave things as they are. I may put out the other hummzinger feeder tho.

I have not seen or heard any orioles so far these week. The robins are staying in the woods where it is cooler. They do that when we have extreme heat. So only the red-bellied woodpeckers eating jelly right now.

I put two feeders next to each other, but the hummers prefer the flowers that are blooming around my yard. No hummers have shown any interest in my feeders at all. I know that some birds just won't use a feeder. So .... feeders will remain up though for any migrating adult males that might be flying through now since we are getting into the Fall migration time frame. I know Rufous birds can also arrive earlier than RTHs. My dream is to host a Rufous in Winter along with the RTHs. I never give up trying to attract one of those to my yard for the Winter!

For many years I'd put out four or five feeders and never, ever ... not even once did a hummingbird visit any of them! I tried inexpensive plastic feeders, different shapes, colors and sizes of glass feeders etc. but nada, not one hummer was attracted to any of them. They'd visit salvia and other plants in the garden but not the nectar feeders. Then, someone here on ATP told me about the hummzinger feeder so I got two of them and there are always hummingbirds at those feeders. They go back and forth between whatever flowers are in bloom and the hummzinger feeders.

That is the only hummingbird feeders I use here at my home. I have 6.

Claudia said:We could not decide whether to cluster in the front or the back. So have decided to leave things as they are. I may put out the other hummzinger feeder tho.

Claudia, how about one cluster out front & one cluster out back?

The problem I have here is raccoons. They do not bother the hummzinger feeders. But another type they take them off the poles and empty them!!

I think next year I will do a cluster in the backyard out by the back daylily bed. It won't be great for photos but we can watch them more while outside. I did put the other hummzinger out front for now and hung a planter of lantana out by the back bed.

Me too, Claudia! Most mornings I'll find a hummer feeder empty. Raccoons just love anything sweet! Recently, they get into the fig tree and eat on the figs before I can bring them inside! These are Painted Buntings on the feeder:

Oh Linda, I sooo love those little Painted Buntings, especially the colorful male. I haven't seen one here in four years and sure wish they'd visit my feeders again.

Lin - You WILL when you move to Sebastian!!!

Through rain, snow, sleet, and Sandhill Cranes. There were two more out of frame to the right. This one just left of the palm tree was the straggler. I've seen more Sandhill Cranes this year than ever!

I have seen a LOT more babies/fledglings this year than ever before. I wonder if it is because of our early Spring temps and maybe a second successful clutch of babies? The bird population seems to have gone up here in my area, too!

Thank you, plantladylin, for telling me about this thread. I was wondering where you all talked about birds. My interest goes beyond our backyard proper. But I will share those on our property. We have nine acres surrounded by corn..

This was among my favorite nesting birds here, though I am not looking forward to cleaning out their box. I won't share any pictures that reveal the prey, but I was kind of disappointed because they were eating the bug-eaters. Female on the left.


The young Kestrels left late last month, but were seen around a few more days. We had a female hang around all winter eating rodents. She was released onto our property after her time of rehabilitation last summer.

Closer to the house, the front porch, we had a pair of Barn Swallows raise four young. There were five, but one died. This was the latest nesting Porch swallows we've had so far. They left the nest for good, on the 21st. They actually left the nest the 20th, but came back to spend the night.

My profile picture is one of the babes from this brood.

I could really go on about birds, but will limit myself. It actually is kind of slow here right now. Many of the birds are done nesting. I've cut back the food to force the birds to eat weed seeds and insects.

Wait, you have to see one of my favorite feeder birds. I was amazed that they even would come so close to the house.. a Western Meadowlark.

ChillyBean - to the Gardening for Butterflies, Birds, and Bees Forum!

I love your photos and story! Too cute! I can tell that you really have a soft spot in your heart for birds!