More migration

Yesterday, whilst waiting for the kettle to boil for an afternoon tea, I caught sight of the Orchard Oriole in our yard for the first time this year. We had just been lamenting that we missed him this year and there he was! He was at the tray feeder eating some Welch's grape jelly and then off he went. He didn't stick around long enough for me to get the camera out, but it was definitely him. The Baltimore Oriole is still around, but we are only seeing one male now. I think the others may have moved on. Here are some pics of the Orchard Oriole from last year and one of him next to the Baltimore to show the contrast between the two.

I've also been missing our Red-Bellied Woodpeckers. We haven't been seeing much of them at all, so I am hoping that means they are busy on a nest and not that they've moved out of the area. In the winter we see the female on an almost daily basis and the male makes frequent appearances as well. Other than one sighting last week, I can't remember the last time we saw one of them. Here are some pics of RBW from last year when they would come up to the suet feeder right outside our window. They haven't done that in a long time. They usually eat at the suet feeder under a large tree out front.

We are also only seeing one or two female Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks these days. One male has made the occasional appearance since late last week. A big change from the 10 or more that were frequenting the feeders for such a brief time. I suspect by the end of this week/early next week we won't be seeing them any more until next year. Both the males and females are so pretty. I'll miss their cheerful songs. Here's a picture my niece took of the female out front on Sunday.

No further sightings of the Indigo Bunting. We only saw one on Mother's Day weekend and then no more. Last year we had a few at a time (maybe three?) and they were around for a little over a week. We haven't seen the Bluebird again either. Last year they were nesting by the beginning of June, so maybe the one we saw was just scouting out the area. I hope the house sparrows and starlings didn't chase it away for good. We have nesting boxes ready and waiting for them.

Dave saw a Great-Crested Flycatcher in the side woodlot on Monday morning. It ws gone by the time I got out there, but he got a great shot of it.

The tree swallows are being vigilant around their nesting box. Here are the male and female hanging out together.

We also saw some barn swallows together on the wire out beside our house as well. These birds are so beautiful- these pics don't do them justice, but here it is anyway.

And finally, last night we saw some Cedar Waxwings in the dead trees out back. They were moving around though, so I only got one shot of just one before it took off and it's not the best quality. We'll be keeping an eye out and try to get another shot soon.