It’s almost mid-October, and I’m still seeing hummers at my feeders here in the northeast.
They were plentiful through early September, then the dip began. Yesterday I saw just four, three of which appeared when it was nearly dark. To my knowledge, it’s mostly the juvies learning their way south on their first migration to wintering grounds in Texas, Mexico, or Latin America.
Keeping feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar helps these birds journey— some actually take that long flight over the Gulf. It’s why hummingbirds spend more time on the feeders, ranking a LOT during migration than they do in summer when there is more food available.
Keeping feeders up for two weeks after you see the last hummingbird helps those last few stragglers.
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/where-do-hummingbirds-go-winter-do-they-migrate
Fast nectar1/2 cup of cane sugar (better than blanched white sugar)2 cups of water
Dissolve cane sugar with 1/2 cup of hot water. Wait until it cools and add the 1.5 cups of cooler water, then fill feeders.
Cleaning note: white vinegar, water, light scrubbing, good rinse.