There can be any number of reasons for differing numbers of hummers at your feeders any particular time or year. There are many factors that effect the hummingbird migration and food supply. It can be something as simple as a neighbor putting out hummingbird feeders that were not there before, giving them another place to refuel.

According to the hummingbird migration map for 2008, you should have been seeing hummers around the first two weeks of April. You can get lots of information at a great hummingbird site: http://Hummingbirds.net

Happy Birding!

I’m sorry it took me so long to reply to your question. It is a very busy time of year for cavity nesting monitors! Has the male returned? Or do you have several more hummers at your feeder now? Males are very territorial and have a tendency to drive other males off. If you start to get many hummers, and you want to have many, it is a good idea to put up several feeders. As they get used to each other feeding, the males will allow other males to feed at their station. It is impossible for the poor busy male to drive off everyone and they usually “get acquainted” with the other birds.

There are several possibilities of what may have happened with your male if he hasn’t returned. If you have neighbors with feeders up, he may have gone elsewhere. He may have been driven off or faced some uncertain fate. He may have kept heading North as the Rufous are the species of hummer that migrates the farthest north of all hummers, all the way into Alaska! Actually, in proportion to its size, the Rufous Hummingbird makes the longest migration of any bird on the world!

My guess is by now you may have many hummers at your feeder and are enjoying their incredible acrobatic displays. I’m sure there are many more headed your way. Please update me as to what is going on in up there in Forest Grove with the hummers. I love to hear people’s stories.

Until then,

Happy Birding!