2014 Ruby Throat Migration

Well, I haven't had a lot of luck with hummer pics so far, but here's one I took a few days ago.

I have quite a few that have stay as they migrated north. I'm glad to see them in the evening.

I've only seen 2 adult male hummers, each for only a couple days. I have 2 feeders I keep clean & filled & tons of nectar flowers. Disappointing.

I saw a single one a couple of days ago and have seen singles and doubles a few times over the last 45 days, but we really haven't gotten the migration yet. Don't know why. I had dozens this time last year.

Ken in NE Mississippi

The RT Hummers have been sporadic most places this year. Last year ours were super-late and we didn't have a lot of them until late summer when the southward migration started for the males...then we had them everywhere. Eventually most of the males were gone, but we still had lots of females.

klrkkr - I noticed your post from back in April where you mentioned your hope that the male and female you saw were mates. As appealing as that seems, Ruby-throated Hummers don't actually have mates. Their pairings amount to basically a "one-night-stand". Other than that they're solitary birds. The female builds the nest, incubates the eggs and feeds the fledglings.

In fact, it's not uncommon for the babies to be larger than their mother when they first leave the nest. The mom spends all her time feeding them and loses weight in the process.

I kind of think it's going to be more like last year. I expect we'll all start seeing more of them later in summer. I'm still seeing some on and off during the day, but not the normal numbers.

Thanks for that information. You can tell I know nothing about hummers. I just put out the feeders for them and enjoy watching them.

Ken

Ken, I think it's wonderful that you put out feeders! It's such a great way to watch them and I'm sure your hummers really appreciate it, too.

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures . If you're ever curious to learn more about them, but don't want to feel like you're studying a text book, one of the most popular web sites is Hummingbirds.net. They even have a really cool migration map that you can follow in the Spring. It's the one that a lot DG members use. You can also report your first sighting of the year if you want to.

Here's the link if you're interested:

http://www.hummingbirds.net/

Thanks for the link.

Ken

Week before last I was really busy with painting in the house and cleaning garage....I didn't change the Nectar water all week... Prior to that I had maybe 5 or 6 Males and 2 females.Well I haven't seen but 2 females coming back after I did change the nectar..So I have come to this conclusion, the males were to Drunk to find their way back....LOL

Funny, WW.

Ken - If I sounded like I was being pushy about the hummers, I didn't mean to at all. Rather, I was thinking about the difference between our two neighbors...one who feeds the hummers and one who doesn't.

Our neighbors on one side put out feeders for the hummers and other birds. Even though they don't know a lot about them, they get great joy from watching them and they're also helping the birds.

Our neighbors on the other side say they like birds, but have no interest in bothering with feeders. Most of the time the birds around their yard stay up in the tall, mature trees. They only get to see them by glancing into our yard so I doubt they've ever seen a tiny hummingbird up close. They don't know what they're missing.

You don't need to study them to enjoy them. I apologize if it sounded that way.

WillowWasp - Maybe you figured out a way to deal with the aggressive male hummers? The males are probably telling each other to stay away from those awful-tasting feeders and the females are just laughing.

I did not perceive your comments that way at all. I love to learn new facts about what I do (tropical plants, particularly orchids) and what I see. Keep up the suggestions and links.

Ken

willowwasp... we notice the same thing early in the season with fewer female hummingbirds. They are busy with babies in their nests and primarily eat insects and spiders; that's why you don't see as many overall until July. I can't wait until we see more. I'm just starting to notice a little more activity at our feeders, but still slow.

Lots of their favorite plants are starting to bloom now too. We have coral nymph salvias, salvia black and blue and Coronado hyssop blooming now. Cannas still have a long way to go, but are growing nicely.

interesting links with more info:
http://ar.audubon.org/faq/i-used-have-lots-hummingbirds-my-feeder-i-dont-see-them-now-where-have-all-hummingbirds-gone

http://www.rubythroat.org/rthureproductionmain.html

Oh Yes Wind, I have so many things blooming now and so do my neighbors. They are really after the 4 o'clocks on the side of the house where they are kinda out of view. I know they are still here just have an abundant supply of other things to draw from. I still see them at the feeders from time to time especially in the late evening. I am anxious to see them come back later next month as well. Being on the coast we have ton's of them in the early spring and fall and some still hang around through the winter. Those are the one's I'm sure just are not up to making the trip to there winter grounds. I do keep a feeder stocked all year round for the one's that are still here.

At nuts - I've been seeing RTs fairly consistently since April, but rarely females- with one exception. Almost always see males.

I haven't been seeing females, either, memays. Normally they show up after the males, then we see them for a little while before they start nesting. Later in the summer it's mostly females as the males begin their southward migration. This year has been very unusual in our area and by now the females are probably nesting.

On the up-side, we are starting to get more hummer activity at our feeders.

Very little, if any, hummer activity here. Very late this year.

Maybe you'll see more hummers when the females are no longer nesting. Also, you might start to see more males on the southward migration. Yes, it's been a very unusual year for hummers over much of the country. Hopefully you'll see start to see more of them soon.

@nutsaboutnature - is it just me, or as the cute RT in your pic one of the plumpest ever?!

He is a chubby little thing, isn't he? It doesn't appear he's missed too many meals :o)

Finally, I have several hummingbirds as regulars. I was watching a courting display yesterday with the wild j flight pattern.

we have had more sightings too, plus I can tell by the nectar levels going down. I love watching their courting displays too. Haven't witnessed any yet though this season.

And, we put out orange slices in hopes of luring an oriole and I haven't seen any since the first few sightings in spring. oh well... hopefully when our cherry trees get more established that will be an attraction. Our neighbor down the block has a cherry tree, and had told me years ago she had seen orioles, so I knew they were around.

It looks like Hummer activity is starting to pick up in many places. That's wonderful! Mine has as well...not a ton of hummers, but steady.

Wind - if you see Orioles (or hear their chattering), try a little grape jelly near (or on) the oranges early in the season. They're almost addicted to it and will come in droves. Right now, when they're nesting, they're mostly looking for insects to feed their young so you might not see them much.

Seeing hummers only rarely , one yesterday , a Ruby ..

I have more activity the past few days but mostly males. I think we will see more as the weeks progress. We have had lots of rain so maybe the nectar is diluted to the point they are not getting what they need. I keep a eye out for more. Love to watch them in the evening.

thanks Nutsaboutnature, I'll try it!

enjoyed watching a hummer this am visiting a patch of blooming red monarda

They're bound to show up eventually, juhur. You have so many luscious blooms.

I've had mostly males as well, WillowWasp, but I know the females will be around more after nesting.

Wind, your Mondarda are just a little ahead of mine. My buds are just about to open...yay!

The Orioles here are nesting so I rarely see them now. The best time to put out oranges and/or grape jelly is when you first see or hear them in spring. They'll get used to the treats being there and will possibly stick around longer. We used to see the Orioles for just a short time, but each year their visits grew longer. Sometimes, after the babies fledge, they'll bring them to the grape jelly which is always fun to watch.

I have a nice clump of Monarda, a deep color called raspberry wine. I have not seen a hummer on it yet. Last year they were on it from the first bloom til the last. That's ok for the bumblebees.

Finally!! I am seeing some hummers today. At least two or three out there defending territory. I put the feeder back up on the deck so I'll see what happens.

Me too. I'm in NE Mississippi

Scarlet - I love Raspberry Wine Monarda! I have a compact variety called 'Grand Marshall' that's a similar color. Mine grows to about 30" which is quite a bit larger than the claims of 16", but I love it.

Yay...Cville!
Yay...klrkkr!

My hummer activity has been slowly increasing. I don't have a lot, yet, but they're out and about all day long.

Thanks! I got excited about it. Love to watch those hummers. :)

I've only seen 2 male hummers this season (early). I have 2 feeders, a beautiful honeysuckle vine & tons of blooming stuff. No monarchs either, & very few swallowtails. A very disappointing season.

I know what you mean. We usually have so many butterflies and lots of Swallowtails. I'm still hoping.

Another oddity around here...My Bumblebees are few-and-far-between this year. I normally have zillions of them visiting my flowers. This year I'm mostly seeing the teeny-tiny bees.

Butterflies have been scarce for a couple of years...except the Cabbage Whites.

Hums in the monarda and the zinnias! yay!
I have been seeing several females taking deep drinks from the feeders.
Yesterday I finally saw a tigerstripe swallowtail and a red spotted purple. Funny, I have lots of milkweed this year and no monarchs. (yet)

Congrats on the hummers and the Tigerstripe Swallowtail, scarlet!
Still not many butterflies here, but I did see a Hummingbird Moth a couple days ago...the first of the season...on my Monarda!

Yay for nuts! I saw a hummingbird moth too, on monday zipping around the butterfly bush, and the monarda that is planted next to it.

They don't call it bee balm for nothing! I have not noticed any shortage of bees, honey, native or bumble. They are working the monarda blooms from sun up to sun down. The ones I see the most are the really big ones with shiny butts. The fuzzy butt bumblebees seem to favor the morning glories and the squash blossoms.

Hi all! This summer has been short of butterflies, but the hummingbird activity is picking up. Also, visited the West coast and caught this picture - not sure what kind of hummer it is, as we only get Ruby Throats on the East coast. Anyone know?