Re: "Bird experts aflutter over drop in rufous hummingbird numbers," Aug. 16.
I wonder at the logic of equating the reduction in migratory hummingbirds to the issue of climate change.
The information in the article seems to directly refute this assertion. The article states that Anna's hummingbirds have increased dramatically in numbers and are territorial in nature.
I would like to submit another scenario for consideration: The local human population, by providing year-round hummingbird feeders, has created an unnatural imbalance between the migratory and non-migratory hummingbird populations. This has reduced the natural die-off of a percentage of the local population during the winter months that has contributed to the recognized dramatic increase. This increased local territorial population has pushed out the migratory rufous hummingbirds from the expected traditional feeding areas.
Yes, it is human interference in nature, but please let's not resort to the climate-change excuse when there are more scientifically plausible explanations.
Lance Morgan
Victoria
