Q: I have noticed, along with my friends in Alabama and far North Georgia, that there are fewer hummingbirds this year. In the past, we were inundated with hummingbirds much earlier. They are only starting to appear, and in much smaller numbers. Where are they?
—Kathy Evers, Roswell
A: There are always regional population fluctuations, but biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have heard several reports of decreased numbers of hummingbirds throughout North Georgia. "We are not sure if this is a reflection of fewer hummingbirds in this area or a reflection of reduced visibility due to more widely available or scattered nectar sources that keep them more widely dispersed," Todd Schneider, a biologist with the Wildlife Resources Division Nongame Conservation Section, told Q&A on the News in an email.
The hummingbirds’ second nesting cycle (second clutch) also could lead to “reduced populations up north or delayed movements southward,” he wrote. “I have not heard of similar issues with fewer hummingbirds elsewhere in the state, but they could occur there as well.” The North American Breeding Bird Survey (pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/) monitors hummingbird populations, but only on larger regional scales (such as the Southeast) and over longer period (several years or decades).
Q: My husband is a Florida Gator alum. What carrier is handling the new SEC Network?
—Cindy McBroom, Snellville
A: The SEC Network has deals or agreements with the major satellite and cable outlets, including Dish Network, DirecTV, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Time Warner, AT&T U-Verse, Comcast and Google Fiber. DirecTV was the latest to sign with the new channel, which will reach about 90 million homes when it launches Aug. 14.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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