Expert: Roger Lederer - 9/28/2008

Question
Here in Northern Lower Michigan in the spring I set out two feeders for the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds I expected in May. I have only seen one, possible two birds all summer. Last year I had many many birds. My Mom in California has had the same problem. No birds. I even emptied out the feeders and put fresh nectar in each.
Should I leave the feeders out at this point so late in the season or hope to have a straggler come by? What sort of calamity could have altered their migratory path
??  I really wonder!  Thank you.

Answer
There are all sorts of possible explanations for this. Populations fluctuate year to year, depending on the weather, food supply, etc. Then local conditions changes - more development, pollution, pesticides,habitat destruction, or whatever. Global warming has certainly affected the migratory timing of some birds as well and it will continue to have effects. Without knowing the exact situation of where you and your mother live, I can't give a specific answer. Michigan and California have very different conditions and different species of hummingbirds, so the conditions are probably are not related. Generally, though, most species of birds in the U.S. are declining.
You can leave feeders out if you wish; it really isn't that late in the season. Mid-October to November you will see the last of them in Michigan.