Ron and Anne: Thanks for your responses. I still have not decided upon which fruit feeder to purchase/use, but would like to attrack the Orioles to the garden and so I might purchase the hanging fruit feeder by Droll Yankees, just to see how they respond. Or I might hang an Oriole (liquid) feeder and see what happens as well. Anne: I took a look at "your page" and saw that you grow a lot of roses. Perhaps, Sue and I can come up for a short visit sometime early this summer when they are in bloom. Our garden project is just beginning to emerge from a weed patch into something recognizable. ;>) By the way, years ago when I was living in central Illinois - Peoria specifically, where I grew "Hawkeye Belle" among other roses - I and another fellow rose gardener from Iowa traveled to Iowa State University in Ames and briefly met with Dr. Buck at his demonstration gardens. While we were chatting, Dr. Buck told us a short story of some "older" ladies disparaging the "fact" that such a lovely rose had a terrible name. The rose in question was, of course, "Hawkeye Belle", but they, according to Dr. Buck, kept on pronouncing it as "Hawkeye Belly". No wonder. Again, thanks for your responses. Bill & Sue

I'm hoping to put my Oriole feeders (liquid and orange halves) out this week. The weather is so crazy, but I would rather be a bit early than miss the OrioleâÂÂs. I go by the weather for hanging the hummingbird feeders out. However, itâÂÂs usually by the first of May at home (twin cities) and shortly there-after up at the lake. Sandy

You can look at this site (Journey North) to get an idea on the migration status of various species and other phenological events http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Maps.html Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Maps.html

Plantgnome, I did know that about the insects. And I believe it to be completely accurate. About 1-1/2 weeks ago, he stopped visiting so frequently. Now I only see him every other day or so. His visits may be coming when I'm not looking out the window. The other day it rained all day, and he was eating a lot of jelly. I was baking in the kitchen and seems like everytime I looked out the window he was back again. So beautiful!!! But it seems like all the birds feed more when the weather is damp, overcast and even rainy. I wonder why....Regarding the feeder, I never have squirrels in it. They can't get to it. It is in the middle of the yard and on a pole with a baffle. So they can't climb up and there are no trees or fences to jump from. And we have a LOT of squirrels around here.