The returnees and the regulars

The hummingbird and oriole feeders were full and out at the end of April.

There was waiting and watching, watching and waiting and more waiting.

​Then it seemed they all came back at once.

Along with the orioles and hummingbirds arrived the rose-breasted grosbeaks and white-crowned sparrows.

According to the some internet research, the white crowned sparrows most likely won't stick around as they just passing  through the area migrating to their breeding grounds further north.

However, the grosbeaks are sure be here for the summer as the region is in their breeding area.

The feeders went from just needing to be filled every other day to a daily top off. The oriole feeder jelly dispenser was hard hit. A full jelly dish was out for a full week when the bright birds first arrived back at the beginning of May.
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By the second week, it was full in the morning and empty by my arrival at home after work. Although the orioles weren't entirely to blame as a gray catbird has also been feasting on the sweet substance.

When I first sighted the orioles this year, they were not at the feeder. They were calling in the woods around the house and were spotted in my neighbor's blooming apple tree. However, they have located the jelly feeder and are very vocal when it is empty. My feeders are taken in at night due to bears and other critters. So on the weekends,  when I like to sleep in, I often hear the orioles calling outside and feel guilty that the feeders aren't out yet.

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Other returning birds included the chipping sparrows and brown-headed cowbirds.

Meanwhile, the hummingbirds had been feeding off and on.

Last summer, I had so many visiting that I was changing the feeder daily. However, this year is off to slow start.

I saw some feeder advice on a Facebook page which said that the solution should be changed every three to five days in cold weather and every other day in warm weather.

Although one of the best tidbist was not to fill the feeder full at the beginning of hummingbird season when there aren't that many of the little birds feeding.

​This was one piece of advice i took to heart and it saved me from dumping out a lot of unused nectar solution.

The regulars had been busy cleaning out feeders as well as some of the colder spring weather pushed them to the feeders. The goldfinches had regained their summer colors.

The red-bellied woodpecker was busy slinging out seeds so it could get to the peanuts in the feeders.

I was able to capture both a white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatch in the same photo.

​I was happy to see the red-breasted nuthatch was sticking around. I think I first got a photo of one 2015 and they would show up sporadically to the feeders. It appears like this one might turn into a regular.

​My next challenge is to get the hairy woodpecker and one of the downy woodpeckers in a photo together for size comparison.

However, birding photos at the feeder have become a bit more challenging since Clem, the bloodhound, figured out how to open the inside door to the side porch.

I used to be able to shut the inside door and use the outside sliding glass door as sort of a bird blind.

​However, now I cannot crack the sliding glass door as I am often joined on the porch by a bunch of canines who feel that if I have a camera in hand that we should be on a walk.

Meanwhile at the neighbor's pond, a green heron has been visiting.

​The region is listed in the heron's summer breeding grounds.

The trail camera also captured a photo of a visit from a great blue heron.

The Canada geese stopped by in early May. However, they don't like the dogs' company so they don't appear that often. I can't blame them, there are day's I sometimes can't stand the dogs' company as well.

Meanwhile,  a male scarlet tanager appeared on a deary early day in May. I spotted them for a day or two, but haven't seen them since. However, one summer we did have a couple who stayed the whole season. Hopefully there will be some more this year as well.

My Facebook memories reminded me with a 2015 photo of a yellow-rumped warbler to be on the look out for these colorful migrants. The BirdCast website provides migration maps to forecast how much movement there may be in the birding world.

However, in my experience these colorful warblers always show up when I am least prepared to get a photo. It has been on rainy days with no good light or just a very brief appearance at the feeder.

​That's just the nature of things 'round here.