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Post by kastern on May 10, 2006 13:51:39 GMT -8
First Bullock's Oriole of the season showed up at the Oriole feeder this morning. ;D Thought I heard one yesterday afternoon but couldn't spot it. One I saw today was a male. When we first moved here we never saw an Oriole and then about 5 years ago, one lone male showed up and was feeding at a hummingbird feeder in the park for the summer. Next year he came back with a mate and the rest is history. Now we have a healthy population of Orioles and lots of owners putting out Oriole feeders or adapting their hummingbird feeders to accomodate them. The past couple of summers I had a family nesting just behind my place and using my back yard to raise the fledglings.
Kathy
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Post by Dave on May 10, 2006 15:01:30 GMT -8
That's exciting, Kathy.
I have an Oriole feeder up this year and am awaiting the first visitor. I saw an oriole in my back yard last year, so that is why I have a feeder out this year.
Any tips?
Dave
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Post by kastern on May 10, 2006 19:07:00 GMT -8
Not really. If you've seen one in the yard then chances are there are deciduous trees around that they like. Just keep the Oriole feeder filled - the hummers will use it as well. Once they start coming they don't seem terribly shy. The first one to show up over here (5 years ago) was coming to a hummingbird feeder hanging within a few feet of a trailer but on a lot that had a lot of mature trees, both coniferous and deciduous. My yard backs onto mixed woodlands that backs onto marsh (almost a lake in summer) and my yard itself has lots of trees and shrubs. I have my feeder hanging from an arch at the back of the yard but I've also had them come to the hummingbird feeder hanging right up on the patio by my house. I've sat in my yard and had parent birds feed fledglings within about 8 feet of where I am. Watched, and got a series of photos of a young female trying to figure out how to use the Oriole feeder - finally an older male (from the previous season) came and showed her how. They are one of my favorite summer birds. Offering water also attracts them. We have a pond with a shallow stream that is a real bird attractant but I've seen them using just regular bird baths as well.
Hope this helps. We went for a walk this evening and I saw at least 3 different males - haven't seen a female yet.
Kathy
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Post by Gord on May 12, 2006 19:39:31 GMT -8
Good info and good work on seeing the first of another spring arrival!
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