Hummingbirds disappear from San Fernando Valley feeders during the super bloom

Photo by David Murray

David Murray, a reader from the San Fernando Valley contacted me after my story about the super bloom ran on Saturday.  Here's his note:

Dear Jennifer,

I enjoyed your 5/11/2019 Home & Garden article on the current status of bird feeders.

I am an engineer and a hummingbird “nut” watching and counting and feeding and recording their activities in my back yard. 

I currently have three 96 fl. Oz. feeders that I make myself and during this winter I have counted between 40-50 humming birds regularly during each of the late evening feeding periods. From March 23^rd, I started noticing a reduction in the fluid quantity that they fed and on March 29^th, a significant reduction that is from 105 fl. Oz. total per day to currently 24.5 fl. Oz. total per day. And not nearly as many hummingbirds were visiting the feeders.

I have certainly noticed this year that the excess rain we had increased the plant growth, flowering season and also the insect increase. Also, I noticed that the occasionally ‘rare’ to see Hooded Orioles were much more regular feeders on the hummingbird feeders – I guess they lucky also to have long tongues that fit in the HB feeder holes !

David

Thanks, David! An interesting followup to the story.