Is something causing the hummingbirds and bees to disappear?

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DEAR JOAN: I read with interest the question that appeared in Friday’s column from Catherine Henslee, who wrote to you about the disappearance of the hummingbirds from her backyard feeder, which she has noticed over the past couple of weeks.

I have lived in Martinez for 30 years and have always had at least two hummingbird feeders. There was so much traffic that the hummers would fight each other for space at the feeder, and this pretty much went on all year. But, like Catherine, over the past few weeks I have noticed that the hummingbirds were literally gone and not only from my feeders, but from our whole yard.

We have a plethora of blooming plants right now, both wild and potted, but no hummingbird activity there, and since your column on Friday, I am noticing we have no bees either.

Again, we have always had a plethora of honeybees, black bumble bees and yellow jackets. I just can’t figure it out.

I’m wondering if you’ve heard from any other folks regarding this very unusual phenomenon? I understand about the abundance of nature’s bounty following the heavy rains, but even my orioles are not using my feeder like they have done in the past. I have had a few but not like in previous years, ditto with the house finches, gold finches, doves, blue jays and more.

What we do have is an invasion of mosquitoes and gnats. Could this have anything to do with it? Most bizarre and I sure do miss my busy bees and birds.

Nancy Kalteis, Martinez

DEAR NANCY: I have had other letters from readers and conversations about the lack of different birds around neighborhoods

Although the absence can be worrisome, bird experts say that it’s not out of the ordinary for this time of year. Many of the hummers that have been visiting recently were among the migrating hummingbirds. They were ravenous from their long journey, and many still had further to go, so they drank all the nectar they could get.

Then they moved on and the birds that remain — hummers that migrate to the Bay Area and those that are permanent residents — are fewer and not quite as hungry. The contrast can seem stark and alarming.

A lack of visitors also is not unusual. The birds are busy with mating, nest building, egg laying and eventually, taking care of the new baby birds.The males often drive other hummers away from feeders that are in their territories.

Combine that with an abundance of flowers and insects, and that could explain the lack of birds at your feeders, although we can’t rule out the unusual weather we’re having, which could also change bird patterns and habits.

As for your lack of bees, it could indicate that someone in your area is using pesticides that either are killing the bees or making the area unwelcome to them. Just a reminder to use pesticides sparingly, if at all.

Readers, observe the birds and bees in your yard for a week, then send me the results. If I get enough responses, I may see some patterns.