Hmmm. I dunno. I seem to have (what seems like) a ton of them at my
hummingbird feeders here in Woodinville, Washington. But then again, I
just moved to this location in March, and as this is my first year here, so
I can't compare the numbers from previous years.

Maybe I've inadvertently stolen all your rufouses? ;-)

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Richards & Ann Musche' [SMTP:mrm at WILLAPABAY.ORG]
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 1998 3:14 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Cc: maxweelm at dfw.wa.gov; tlpyle at WILLAPABAY.ORG; bhansen at teleport.com
Subject: Rufous Hmbd shortage (?)

05/30/98

Here in Pacific co., WA, we have noticed that we have many fewer than usual
Rufous Hummingbirds at our feeders this year. Several friends in our
immediate area have also noted the same. For example people who usually
have 20 in previous years now have 2 this yr. We usually have 5 to 10, this
year 3 is our high number. We are wondering -- have others noted a similar
shortage, or is this perhaps just a local phenom?

We have also noted many fewer swallows (VG, Tree, Barn, RW) than usual,
altho this is an extension of gradual reductions over the last ten years.

Please answer to entire list, as we would like to solicit a diverse
viewpoint on this subject.

Thanks for any info on this.

Alan & Ann
mrm at WILLAPABAY.ORG (Alan Richards & Ann Musche')