What has happened to our hummingbirds? Hardly any this year, is it because of shortage of honey bees?

Question

What has happened to our hummingbirds? Hardly any this year, is it because of shortage of honey bees?

Answer 1

I'm in the Buffalo, New York area........no hummingbird or bee shortage here.

Answer 2

It could be that there are lots of flowers they like in your neighborhood, or lots of feeders.  Hummingbirds do not always go back to the same places like some birds do.  Most people notice more hummingbirds later in the summer after the breeding is over.  We usually have more in the middle of July than in the earlier months....

Answer 3

Fortunately, honey bees are on the rebound - my hives are healthy and busy with activity.  Strange weather patterns, mite infestations and illness in the hive were the findings of the cause of CCD (colony collapse disorder), and it has nothing to do with hummingbirds.

I haven't seen quite as many hummingbirds this year as I usually do, but my mother has at least 6 that visit her feeders regularly.  Hummingbirds are migratory, and they do tend to follow old habits and tend to return to the same areas every year.

I've only seen a couple around my property, but there is (as always) an abundance of butterflies, honey bees, mason bees and other beneficial pollenators.  I have a HUGE population of hawk moths this year (they're the day-flying moths that people often mistake for hummingbirds, because their wings beat so quickly).  I counted 8 on a bed of bee balm the other day.  

If you want to encourage hummingbird activity, check your feeders and change the feeding solution regularly.  Ants, wasps and other insects may discourage hummingbird activity at the feeder.  You can also plant more flowers that attract these nectar-drinking birds - bee balm, trumpet vine, cardinal shrub and tall phlox are all among their favorites.  Avoid double-flowering or pollen-free hybrids.

Answer 4

I am still getting plenty of them here at my home.

They don't quite like the commercial red stuff.

I mix my own nectar and they love it .The mix is 1part sugar to 4 parts water,shake it up real well and put it in the feeder with no color to it.

3 parts water if you want it a little sweeter..

We don't want to give them little fellas diabetes

Answer 5

i still get a lot. you should try putting out feeders