Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Experiences & Observations

My birding blog site


  Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Hummers Return

Published: May 12, 2013
Tags: My Feeders, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there - and a special wish to my own mom who visits here regularly! Love you, Mom!!!

Well, finally, our long-awaited summer friends returned to our waiting feeders. I've replaced the nectar in our hummingbird / oriole feeder three times already, just waiting for their return! Late afternoon on Friday, a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak popped-in followed, soon after, by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Yesterday morning brought two male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (I think one is a second year male), a second hummer, and towards evening, a gorgeous, male Baltimore Oriole came by.

It's been an odd spring by all accounts and it's no different here. In the past few years that I've been bird watching, this is the latest calendar date for these spring migrants to get here.

We've also had a little winter-summer mix in that 8 Pine Siskins have been visiting for the last three days, devouring the nyjer thistle.

And our little guy, Elvis, the Common Redpoll with the funky, feathered crown has finally left to return to his home in the north.  I haven't seen him in about a week now. He was here every day for a good five months and I must say, I miss the little guy.

The cool, rainy weather persuaded me to stay home and catch up on some work projects (along with a little photo experimentation in the low light). I would have much preferred chasing after warblers, but I'm glad I was here to enjoy our home feeders or I might have missed these spring arrivals!

blog photo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male - second year?)

blog photo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)

blog photo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)

blog photo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)

blog photo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

blog photo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

blog photo
Baltimore Oriole (male)

blog photo
Baltimore Oriole (male)

blog photo
Baltimore Oriole (male)

blog photo
Baltimore Oriole (male)

blog photo
Pine Siskin

blog photo
Pine Siskin

Reply from: Joel on 5/13/2013 4:46 AM
 Wonderful! We had our first oriole yesterday. It flew to our orange oriole feeder, nosed through the extra string I put out for robin's nestmaking, didn't find anything of interest and flew off. I made sure to pop out to the store for some oranges. We'll see what today will bring. I'm also going to have to change that hummingbird feeder as my sugar water is about a week old.
Reply from: Tim on 5/14/2013 8:33 PM
 Beautiful photos !You are so fortunate to have these visitors in your yard. Tim



  Go Back Go to Top  

button link to my bird search