In Greater MN, Otter Tail County, I have the same hummingbirds, which isn't very many. I noticed though that the Barn Swallow numbers are down drastically. Normally when I walk in the barn, they swarm off from their mud nests in great numbers. They were here this spring then even in June saw very few of them. The insect count is drastically down, also. Some birds are at the suet feeders (including Red-winged Blackbirds). I've seen multiple species at the Oriole's grape jelly feeders - Gray Catbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and often Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Unfortunately, many of the neighboring field crops are sprayed. Cleone Stewart
-----Original Message----- From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU> On Behalf Of Nancy Steinhauser Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:35 PM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: Re: [mou-net] Ruby Throated Population I don't spray anything....hence the clouds of mosquitoes. But there have been past summers with clouds of mosquitoes and the feeders were drained every day. I can't help but think something is up. Especially if this is a local phenomena and not happening anywhere in the rest of the state. Thanks for your reply. On Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 10:14 PM Kathryn Rudd <katda...@hotmail.com> wrote: > I had seen several hummers last summer and fall at hanging flowers and > garden flowers but this year only one this whole spring/summer. Same > with bees and butterflies. Have only seen 2. Could it be that people > are spraying poison on their rose bushes because of Japanese Beetles? > It’s heartbreaking. > Kathryn Rudd-Eagan > > Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------ > *From:* Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU> on behalf of Nancy > Steinhauser <nancyhu...@gmail.com> > *Sent:* Thursday, July 18, 2024 8:36:14 PM > *To:* MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU <MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU> > *Subject:* [mou-net] Ruby Throated Population > > Wondering if anyone else has seen the numbers go down this summer. > From a great start (over 30 birds arrived at the feeders.....and who > knows the ones I didn't see) in mid-May, the numbers now have dwindled > to less than a dozen, and that's up from 3 or 4 because the little ones have > fledged. > Neighbors and co-workers (the north shore and inland above Two > Harbors) have reported the same "drop" in birds. Bewildered. They > started to disappear early to mid-June and have not returned. > Wondering about bird flu. > We have had a huge mosquito population this summer because of all the > rain. But that hasn't dropped hummingbird numbers coming to feeders > in previous wet summers. > Any ideas/experiences? The numbers here have been steadily going up > for over > 25 years. Many feeders out. Such a shock to have so few birds. > Thanks in advance. > Nancy in Superior Highlands > > ---- > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice > social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > ---- General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. ---- General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
