​Thank you everyone and especially Lila for this official explanation which
makes a lot of sense and may, indeed, be THE answer!  I do wonder why we've
never experienced such a profound lull in the many past years we've been
putting out nectar.  Seemed like the males, at least, remained
present without interruption.  Guess I will just refresh the untouched
nectar periodically and hope for their return.

Best Regards to all,

Connie Snyder


On 8 June 2014 19:57, Lila Ollmann <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I found this info which I will paste instead of link, because I don't know
> that you can link from the list...
>
> Where have all the hummingbirds gone?
>
> What time of year is it? Ruby-throated Hummingbirds occur in the state
> from about the second week of March through the second week of November.
> During spring migration, especially April and May, you can expect dozens of
> individuals at your feeder as they move north across the state. After
> spring migration, a smaller number remain to breed. When females begin
> breeding they turn to *insects and spiders*, not nectar, to provide the
> protein they need to produce and raise young. They also turn to their
> preferred natural nectar sources in the form of abundant wildflowers
> available in the summer. In July, they finish nesting and once again begin
> regularly visiting feeders. In August and September, fall migration brings
> an influx of birds from the north. The stream eventually thins out and ends
> by November.
>
>
> On Sun, Jun 8, 2014 at 7:21 PM, Linda D. Thompson <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>>  I still have some but the activity has decreased. I've had this happen
>> every year and I also assumed that they were on nests and therefore not as
>> active. Not sure if my theory is correct.
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>> On Jun 8, 2014, at 5:30 PM, "Connie Snyder" <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>   ​Thanks to everyone who has offered theories to my query
>> regarding disappeared hummingbirds.  This list is so helpful and
>> heart-warming for amateurs like me.
>>
>>  However, today, while visiting a farm on Tucker Hill Road in Thetford,
>> I learned that they had half-a-dozen hummers zooming around their
>> feeder until about a week ago.  Now, there are none there either.
>>
>>  I have never had this happen before, nor had she.  Troubling...
>>
>>  Hope there is not a disease going around.
>>
>>  Connie Snyder
>>  **************************************************************** To post
>> messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your
>> e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list
>> owner: [log in to unmask]
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based
>> archives and subscription management are available at:
>> http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>>
>>
>> IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE:
>>
>> This message is intended for the use of the person to whom it is
>> addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and
>> protected from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended
>> recipient, your use of this message for any purpose is strictly prohibited.
>> If you have received this communication in error, please delete the message
>> and notify the sender so that we may correct our records.
>>  **************************************************************** To
>> post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set
>> your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the
>> list owner: [log in to unmask]
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based
>> archives and subscription management are available at:
>> http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>
> **************************************************************** To post
> messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your
> e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list
> owner: [log in to unmask]
> ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based
> archives and subscription management are available at:
> http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
> ****************************************************************

****************************************************************
To post messages, send e-mail to:  [log in to unmask]
Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages.
To contact the list owner:  [log in to unmask]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Web based archives and subscription management are available at:
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
****************************************************************