Here is a link to a jpg image of a chart showing sugar consumption (in grams/day) from the feeders at our house in West Bellevue (near the top of Clyde Hill) over the last three years:

http://www.box.net/shared/3bckixxk44

A few observations:

The first peak near Day 45 (mid-February) clearly shows an increase in the Anna's usage of the feeders prior to breeding. The location is exposed to winds, and I think that the Anna's move to more sheltered places in late-February. Our winter resident male (Attila), who dominates the feeders at the back of the house, leaves in late-February.

The summer Rufus arrival was clearly delayed in 2006.

I think that the multiple peaks between Days 130 and 190 correspond to batches of young hatching, fledging, and dispersing. In 2006 the last mature male was seen on Day 180. The female and young Rufus departure starts about Day 190.

The big peak at Day 210 in 2007 was a wave of Rufus migrating through. Presumably these birds normally travel closer to the Cascades. The last one seen was on Day 245.

Attila returns in mid-October (about Day 285) and drives away most of the competition at the back of the house. The feeders at the front of the house are not as easy to control, and they end up with much heavier use over the winter.

Dave Nuttall
West Bellevue, WA
djhn42-tweet at yahoo.com