Still Seeing Hummers in Gulf Coast States
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are becoming quite scarce according to our observers. Most people saw single birds, and often up to a week between sightings! Only the Gulf of Mexico states reported regular visits by multiple birds:

"Numbers are way down, but we probably had about a dozen today," wrote an observer last Saturday in Pollock, Louisiana.

"Still have 5-6 die-hards hanging around and coming to my feeders. A couple of weeks ago I had about 40," says Seminary, Mississippi.

The winner for last week's highest hummer count was a Diamondhead, Mississippi, site who said, "Although we are down from our 100 birds, there are still about 60 here. We are still going through 10 pounds of sugar a week with 16 feeders up."

Cautionary Tale About Cold Feeders
Remember to put your hummingbird feeder inside at night now that temperatures are cold. Hypothermia is a common problem when a hungry hummingbird drinks cold food from a feeder.

Beth Harless came to the rescue of one very cold hummer at her house in Marietta, Georgia:

"We had a cool morning. I looked out at the feeder and a puffed-up, cold-looking hummingbird was sitting on it shaking. I went out and it did not move. I decided to pick up the feeder with the hummingbird on it and put it in a box with a hot pad to warm it up. The bird did not move for about 40 minutes. During this time it gradually unpuffed its feathers, warmed up and was then strong enough to fly away."

Wintering in Warm West Coast States
Several people in Washington, Oregon, and California reported from places where hummingbirds stay for the winter. In fact, while most people say good-bye to their hummingbirds, others may be saying hello:

"Our winter hummingbird has returned (to Vancouver, Washington). This small greenish/grey bird has wintered in our yard for six years now. We know it is the same bird because we have photos of her sitting on the same spot on our feeder for many years."

Thanks to everyone for sharing their first-hand, backyard observations of North America's favorite birds! Please continue to tell us what you see.