I live in Maryland, but very close to the Potomac so very close to VA.
This year we have a normal number of hummingbirds at the feeders (have mostly
seen the female but the male is around too). They showed up right on time.
Last year was a completely different story. They did not show up in late
April/early May. They were really not much in evidence in this part of the DC
metro area. It was a topic of concern on the MD listserve. However, people in
other areas of Maryland (e.g., I think, the eastern shore) had totally normal
hummingbird numbers and activity. People in Virginia to the west of here saw
normal hummingbird numbers and activity too. It was a patchy absence. I don't
know if anyone ever figured out what happened but it's back to normal this year
- although possibly at the expense of lack of activity elsewhere? Would be
interesting to look at the archives on the MD listserve AND to see what happens
next year with regards to the areas affected in VA this year. Sounds like a
good project for someone who is in graduate school in ornithology!
Sarah Anderson
Cabin John, MD
www.sarahanderson.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Cartwright <prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: va-bird <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, May 21, 2015 10:43 am
Subject: [Va-bird] Hummingbird absence
I usually find that females don't go to feeders during the nesting portion
of
the summer. Remember that they are feeding young a protein rich
diet,
consisting of small insects, and not nectar. Once the birds fledge,
they
are all over the place at our feeders (like PJ previously stated).
Doesn't
entirely explain the absence of hummingbirds in late spring and
early
summer at some locations, but maybe a contributing factor. Yes,
I
understand that some hummers aren't nesting yet, but like I said, it is
only
a partial explanation.
Larry Cartwright in
Annandale
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx>
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