Oriole Nation

 click on the fledglings to enlarge

Today we opened the tenth container of grape jelly for the burgeoning Baltimore oriole population around here. I'm serious.  A huge population of orioles - possible the largest ever.  We've got feeders on three side of the house and they require cleaning and replenishment at least daily - sometimes twice a day.

Having raised the one brood per year this year's newborns have fledged and instead of perching on a feeder and demanding that mom or dad feed them they're now coming to the feeders on their own to help themselves to generic grape jelly and orange halves.

These birds are prone to returning to the same area year after year.  My theory is that the bumper crop of birds that is eating us out of house and home is a consequence of the concierge service they've been receiving on our behalf over the years. 

The oriole is among the last to arrive around here - early to mid May - and the first to leave.  By September they'll be gone. And when they're gone we'll miss the pretty song and bold flash of orange until the following spring.