Re:
"It is common this time of year for hummers to 'kind of disappear.' "
"This time of year, lots of stuff is in bloom."
"Also, many of the female Ruby-throated hummers in our state are either busy
building nests or egg tending at this point in time, leading the females to
be quiter and not so in need of visiting our feeders (remember, hummingbird
males have nothing to do with the post-mating activities like nest building,
nest tending or feeding of the young)."
NOTE: There's lots of stuff in bloom all summer long but hummers still come
to feeders then. Additionally, female and male hummers still need to eat
even when females are in the process of building nests.
The birds are indeed still here during the month of May. One only needs to
look up high in Tulip Poplar trees with binoculars to see that there are
still hummers in the area. And the fading of the Tulip Poplar blooms
coincides
with the return of male and female birds to feeders. If you pay attention
each year, you'll find this to be true.
And although hummers spend most of their time at Tulip Poplar flowers during
the month of May, they still come around to the feeder area, sometimes more
than once a day. Perhaps they are checking to see if their backup supply of
food is still there! I know they come by because I have microphones and hear
them.
Sincerely,
Marlene
Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-Friendly Garden, Stackpole Books,
2006)
Nature Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON@xxxxxxx
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