In a message dated 6/25/00 10:22:36 AM PST, seaotter at eskimo.com writes:

> What is up with that? Is anyone else observing the same thing?

Hi, Jackie,

I still have plenty of hummers, although I must admit that they've slowed
down a bit on the consumption. Last week I was filling four feeders twice a
day, now it's down to every other day.
Last year I had the same thing happen.........my hummers vanished. At the
same time my feeders were invaded by hordes of yellowjackets. 1998 was even
worse for 'jackets, I"ve never seen them so bad as then. (they were so
aggressive that they stung my horse, ending up in a $250 vet bill...)
This year, thankfully, it seems I've been spared the invasion. I'm not saying
that the 'jackets are chasing the hummers away, but that's what it appeared
to me. Gangs of yellowjackets would empty the feeders in a few hours and
never let a hummingbird in. So........that's my guess, anyway.
I've tried using the yellow plastic bee guards on my feeders, but for
whatever reason, the hummingbirds won't use them, either. So I usually keep
them off the feeder.
On the other hand, maybe your birds are beginning an early migration?? Beats
me..good luck, though.........

Michelle
MBlanchrd at aol.com