WrightwoodCalif.com Forum

Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: PinonMesaJon on May 20, 08, 08:37:32 PM

Title: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: PinonMesaJon on May 20, 08, 08:37:32 PM
Has anyone noticed the significant decrease in the hummingbird population lately?

We had them in April, but now we don't have a one.

Talking to friends, people in Apple Valley and Victorville have noticed the same. Anyone know why? 

???
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: love_walnuts on May 20, 08, 09:21:19 PM
I haven't had any at our home near Lone Pine and Virginia. I miss them so. :'(
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: angelwolf326 on May 20, 08, 10:10:32 PM
We had a bunch in April and another bunch just hit last week...  not the full amount yet but we have about 20 each evening now...  I'm at lower East Cyn.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: angelwolf326 on May 20, 08, 10:47:36 PM
(http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2108/9096128/16723879/318135475.jpg)
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: angelwolf326 on May 20, 08, 11:01:52 PM
(http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2108/9096128/16723879/318136913.jpg)
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Stitches on May 21, 08, 07:00:43 AM
I had lots of them in April as well.   They emptied my feeder a couple of weeks ago but I didn't have a chance to fill it until this past weekend.  Usually, I use the nectar I get at Mt. Hardware, but I ran out and wanted to fill it so used the sugar water recipe.   Then I couldn't find anymore red food coloring, so I just used the closes I had which was purple.  It's Wednesday and finally saw one come back this morning.   I guess it took them a few days to find out that I've refilled it.

By this time of the year, they're lined up waiting for their turn.   Maybe they went on vacation somewhere.   I'm interested to see if Wildman had a decline in hummer visitors.



Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: clint on May 21, 08, 07:41:01 AM
This is from the Audubon Society web site:

Fill the feeders with sugar water, made by combining four parts hot water to one part white sugar, boiled for one to two minutes. NEVER use honey, which promotes the growth of harmful bacteria, or artificial sweeteners. Also avoid red food coloring.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Stitches on May 21, 08, 07:55:00 AM
I've never put red food coloring in the feeder but red is the color the nectar powder comes.    I just use the color to see if I'm out of nectar.   Is that avoid ALL food coloring or just the red?

Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: angelwolf326 on May 21, 08, 07:58:36 AM
Avoid all color and avoid the nectar purchased at stores.  Use the simple recipe of sugar and water that the  Audubon Society suggests.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Chesslike on May 21, 08, 08:04:12 AM
Another tip I learned from our Webmaster, is to use the hot water from your tap instead of using boiling water. The sugar mixture does not spoil as quickly and it mixes just as well as boiling it.

I seem to have the same number of Hummers as usual near the elementary school.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Wildman on May 27, 08, 11:08:58 AM
There's around 20 around our place.  We always seem to get more later in the summer.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Wrightwood on May 27, 08, 11:18:56 AM
We are seeing an average number for this time of the year. The large numbers are seen when it gets warmer.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Wildman on May 27, 08, 12:20:40 PM
Another tip I learned from our Webmaster, is to use the hot water from your tap instead of using boiling water. The sugar mixture does not spoil as quickly and it mixes just as well as boiling it.

I seem to have the same number of Hummers as usual near the elementary school.

One thing that really works well and was taught to me by Wrightwood is to hum when you are in the presence of hummingbirds.  Wrightwood has a plethora of humming sounds he uses....some are soft and repetitive like a Tibetan prayer wheel chant...others like the sound of a Ganges Mantra done in falsetto.  It really gives the birds a sense of well being and makes the person watching them feel better.  They respond to the hum that you are doing.

You can learn more about this technique at: 
Humming4Hummingbirds.feather
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: makgirl on May 27, 08, 03:48:23 PM
We have only a few hummers, but a definite increase in orioles!  They are draining the two feeders I have out.   We must have at least 3 pairs.  Anyone else?

Put out those oriole feeders: 6 cups water, to one cup sugar.
I boil the water (using the microwave) because I heard it keeps the mixture from fermenting.  Hot tap water doesn't seem to do it for us.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: superMom on May 27, 08, 05:50:37 PM
And I saw what I can only guess were 2 bluebirds today!!!  And no, they were not bluejays, were a much lighter and brighter blue.  I will have to go look online, relative told me she thinks we have a species mountain bluebirds. 
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: superMom on May 27, 08, 06:06:09 PM
This is the bird I saw today: 

(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q95/ncrkbau/Birds-mountainbluebird.jpg)

It was beautiful. 
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: makgirl on May 27, 08, 07:22:10 PM
We had those here next door to you, Supermom, the past two days.  They are eating the suet.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: HUMMINGBIRD13 on May 31, 08, 09:05:08 PM
we only use  hot  water  with  1 cup  sugar to  4 cups  water  not  red food  coloring....  not  good  for  them........   have  had   lots  of  hummers.........  we  also  wait  till  the  water  mixes  and cools  before  putting  out  for the  hummers........... 
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: HUMMINGBIRD13 on Jun 04, 08, 08:13:29 PM
my grandson  has  been  so  excited  when  he  come  over  and  sees  the  hummers...  it  is  so funny to watch  his  excitement ;D
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Chesslike on Sep 24, 09, 08:01:22 AM
Hmmm.......yes that is a hummer in the grips of a praying mantis. :o

(http://imgur.com/3AT3J.jpg)
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Calindy on Sep 24, 09, 08:41:00 AM
That is sad! It was not the picture I was expecting....
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: SkierBob on Sep 24, 09, 09:04:11 AM
Hmmm.......yes that is a hummer in the grips of a praying mantis. :o


That's a bit gruesome, but interestingly enough to share. 
So did the praying mantis eat it or just kill it?
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Stitches on Sep 24, 09, 09:59:50 AM
That Praying Mantis is HUGE.   My kids watched one eat a moth the other day and were in awe.  Can't wait to show them this picture.   Poor hummer.   Reminds me I've got to fill my feeder.

Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Kaikapu on Sep 24, 09, 11:37:21 AM
Poor Hummer.

Since I've been stuck at home for a while now the Hummers have helped to pass the time away; quite entertaining actually.  There was a day when 12 of them were competing for a spot on our 4 spot feeder.  I was refilling it almost every day...then I suddenly noticed that I didn't have to refill it for three days.  I sat on the front porch, about 7 feet from it...watching from there is a visual and audible experience...so cool, anyways, I noticed two particular Hummers that seem to be in control of our feeder now.  They sit on a nearby fence or electrical wire and anytime another one shows up they chase it away.  We can actually stand with our face about 3 feet from the feeder and they'll buzz us or hover really close and look at us.  There's even one I've nicknamed 'bumpy' because his/her beak has bumps on it.  They are amazing little birds, what a wonderful little gift they are; like the little Quails that roam through our yards, I especially like the little curlly thingy on their heads, and all the other wonderfully colored birds up here.

We are blessed to live up here.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: Chuck on Sep 24, 09, 11:52:13 AM
Poor Bob is a sick man!  You should see his really bad collection of pictures.
Title: Re: Where are the Hummers?
Post by: in my dreams on Sep 24, 09, 12:37:05 PM
Ew! :o Ick! Gross!
Can't wait to show my 5 yr old! ;D