It’s For the Birds

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It seems each time I write an article, I am starting off with how fast time is going.  Well, I am going to do it again.  July 1.  Wow.  

Summer is moving right along.  Never enough time to get things done.  We find ourselves running in circles and can’t seem to find the end.  I have learned from experience that the housework and chores will keep.  

Watch the birds, sit on your deck, take a walk, and go swimming with your grandkids.  I must advertise for Flex tape as that is what I repaired my pool this year and so far, so good, working well.  

So, I am happy to report the pool is up for the summer.  We got off to a late start due to the weather in May.  

As I sit here in the deck, writing this article, I have several hummingbirds keeping me company. My Purple Martins are singing to me, and the Robins are singing their happy song.  

I know many of you have had or still have Orioles visiting your feeders.  I always have them in early spring, and then they go about their business building and weaving their intricate nests.  

Beautiful call they have and are gorgeous in color.  The are several members of that same family, Robins, Orioles, Tanagers, and Grosbeaks.  All North American orioles have the same basic pattern. All have conspicuous wing bars and very sharply pointed beaks.  

Orioles migrate primarily at night, but loose bands of 5-10 may sometimes be seen just above the treetops in the early morning.  

The Orchard Oriole is locally common in the breeding season in this area.  Shade trees and timbers edge will find them. 

Adult male is the only brick red oriole, except in south Florida.  The only oriole east of Mississippi with a solid black tail.  

Female is greenish yellow rather than orange.  They will start migrating south in July-August.  

The Northern Oriole is also common here in the summer breeding season, building atop tall trees, such as Baltimore does.  

This species has graduated tails and organ crowns.  You can’t miss their nests. High atop the trees you will find it when the leaves are gone.  A pendant so to speak, very intricately woven.  I find several after the leaves are gone from the Baltimore Orioles on the trails.  I know I have them due to that.  

Just a few of the many birds that will feed at jelly feeders. Robins, all Orioles and at my house the finches and sparrows enjoy it.  Mine is usually over ran by sparrows once they find it, so I don’t feed long.  What doesn’t a sparrow eat.  

Currently, I do have a bluebird nest in my front yard, with 5 eggs, and a second nest on the trails with two. I am happy to have that many.  

This winter was very hard on the Bluebird population, as well as chemicals sprayed for the fields.  I am saddened that I don’t have more, I have settled on letting the Wrens nest in some, also two Tree Swallows.  

Enjoy the rain, that was much needed, and enjoy the 4th with your loved ones and friends.  Until next time, good birdwatching.