Birding/Hummingbirds

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Expert: Julia Booth - 9/25/2008


Question
Would you be able to tell me WHY I havent had but a couple of hummingbirds at my northern lower Michigan nectar feeder this year. The species for this area is the Ruby Throated hummers, and my mom in San Diego area hasn't had any Anna's to her feeder. Last year we were loaded with them but I have not even gone through one feeder this year and then dumped it and put in fresh nectar. When should I take the feeder down??? Was there disease? Storms which altered their path?? I have so many concerns.Thanks.

Answer
I do not personally have any information about the specifics of fluctuating hummingbird population. Hummingbirds migrate sometimes 500 miles a year. The factors that affect that journey are probably numerous.

Here are some articles with speculation:


http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/news/19030609.html

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/are-hummingbird-numbers-declining-...

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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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