Hey Lisa, I knew you would say something about the Oriole. I just had to have mine closer!!! I just noticed it yesterday. I was so thrilled. I was surprised that they would build so close to the feeders and all the birds that gather to eat. I hope I see the babies fledge. The parents are pretty tame. They will come and feed the babies when I am sitting on the deck. I did NOT bring you hosp.!!! They were there before I came to visit you. LOL I wouldn't do that to you :) Can I borrow your redtail? I have so many rabbits and they are eating all of my bushes I planted for the birds!!! Thinking about you in Iowa!! Karen

OK...this is crazy. I just found another oriole nest being built. That is 3 nests in my yard all within 15' of my house and all can be viewed from a window. I'm in Heaven!! 3rd nest, picture taken from my deck. This nest is only 6-8 feet off the ground, has me a little worried. Very dark and cloudy today. Karen

Folks if you like orioles, enjoy gardening and have the space I have a truly cool tip: plant a grape arbor. I live in Boston near downtown and have always enjoyed gardening. Living in the city, seeing orioles was a rare treat... but not any more. Three years ago I planted a concord grape and trained it up to cover our 2nd story deck. The number of birds attracted has risen exponentially of these three years. Seeing ten orioles at a time is now pretty common. Also attracted are cardinals, jays, and catbirds. There are so many birds out there right now that there probably won't be enough grapes to make jam once they fully ripen. Do I mind, not at all

It was decided on the Birding forum that it is a winter plumage Chestnut-Sided Warbler. The chestnut can sometimes persist on the sides of the bird through winter. The rest of the field marks match too: eye ring, yellowish-green on head and back, 2 wing bars.