The first week of May, especially the 5th (Cinco de Mayo), was an amazing time for bird sightings here on the farm. Following a light rain the night before and welcome summer-like temperatures, I was able to see and to take some photos of “new” birds that I associate with summer.
Looking through the front window around 8:00 a.m., I noticed an orange, black and white bird on the ground of one of my front yard bird enclosures. It was an Eastern Towhee. I will include the photo in the group below as many people have never seen one even though it is only a “record shot”, certainly not a prize-winner. I saw one last fall but only once.the Towhee in the photo must have been passing through and dropped in for a quick bite of bird seed and a drink after a long journey.
Later the same morning I saw 2 male Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, a Ruby Throated Hummingbird, a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet and numerous White Crowned Sparrows. It seemed that all of these birds had arrived here the same day! Later that morning, I was amazed to see a male Baltimore Oriole trying unsuccessfully to drink from one of the hummingbird feeders! I had put them out about 2 weeks ago although the weather was very cool at the time. I had decided to wait until the weather warmed up to put out the oriole feeder which has the necessary perches for orioles to drink the water/sugar “nectar”. I guess it is better to be too early rather than too late. I saw the oriole again yesterday feasting on the half oranges that I had set out for him. Last year there was a pair so perhaps a female will arrive in the next few days. I hope so!
I have included photos of a few other birds that arrived in the past 3 weeks. The most beautiful to me was the Purple Finch!
Jane Walker's Cards 
Hi Jane
So glad you are on bird watch and able to take pictures. I love to see the baltimore oriols.
Hope you and Joe are well.
Judy
Things are going well at the farm and we are enjoying the many birds this spring.
Hi Jane,
I love all the photos, I also love the Oriole. Their colour is so vibrant. Hope you and Joe are well. Hope to talk to you soon
Today I noticed a second Baltimore Oriole as the 2 were flying together. I have added 2 more Oriole feeders. Hope that might keep them around.
As always Jane your beautiful photos always put a smile on my face.
The magic of the return of so many birds signals Spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner.
I watch those amazing hummingbirds at the cottage and never cease to be amazed at the great journey they travel every year.
Thank you
You usually do have a big smile. Glad that Spring is making it better. Enjoy this improved weather and maybe a long weekend at the cottage?
Great shots, Jane! You certainly have a large variety of bird species! I’m going to put out some oranges and see if the orioles will stop here. We have lots of different birds this year also, but I have never seen some of the birds you have there around here, even though I think we are within their territory.