This week's birds

May 19th while making supper I glanced out the window to see this young Baltimore Oriole checking out the feeders. According to the Crossley guide, he is a first summer male. I find that a bit odd, as I thought he would be starting his second summer now, but maybe he was born late. After he flew away, I added oranges to my feeder offerings, but haven't seen him back. Oh, well, another one should show up. We often have a pair nesting here.



There is still one lone White Crowned Sparrow checking in at the spilled seed on the patio several times a day. Three female American Goldfinches joined the males yesterday. There was one the day before, along with 8 males. I am curious to know if my whole population changes each day as they migrate or if there are several birds here for a few days, coming and going between the feeders and other parts of the yard. The first female Goldfinch I saw this year was Wednesday the 18th. I also had 8 males that day, the most I've seen at one time so far.A pair of Barn Swallows was an unexpected site at the feeder this morning. As I haven't been adding flies or mosquitoes to the seeds, I can only assume they just were checking out a new part of the yard as a possible home site, or maybe they just wanted a rest.

The most exciting site of the week came on the 18th when this guy stopped for a very short visit.

When Jeanette reported a couple in her Manitoba yard, I was excited for her, but didn't expect one here. But here he is. I just glimpsed him as I sat down at my desk Wednesday, so immediately grabbed the camera and ran outside. He obligingly perched in the saskatoon bush long enough to snap this photo and three or four blurry ones! I tried to track him down again, but haven't seen a feather. Oops, sorry, almost forgot. He's a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Ali and I saw one at Buffalo Pound a few years back, so this guy is number 2.