"Rufous showed early morning to the feeder and about an hour later a rubythroat arrived." Egremont, Alberta, Canada 05/27/14

Where did my hummers go?
This spring you watched the migration maps, got your feeders ready, and watched the hummingbirds' return with great excitement. Now it's early-June and it seems they've virtually disappeared.

"I live between DC and Baltimore. I had a male and female visit my feeders in early May for two weeks. Since then nothing." Laurel, Maryland 06/01/14

Hummingbird expert Lanny Chambers says this happens each year. Now is the time when females are tending to nests, often built in secluded areas. Their chicks need a diet of high protein insects and spiders, so females often leave the feeders to the males during this time.

"Saw a tiny hummingbird in the woods. Why don't they ever come to my nectar feeder?" Pittsburg, PA 05/27/14

Lanny continues, "After the chicks fledge, expect the number of hummers at your feeders to be double what it was earlier."