I definitely haven't noticed either. My little garden here in N Scottsdale is always teaming with them, and has for quite a few years. I hope there's not a general decline going on. One thing I HAVE noticed in the last 10 years or so is how many more adorable, loud, fun African lovebirds are all over the area--a fun development if you ask me. When I first moved here in 2000 it was pretty rare to see/hear them, and mostly in central Phoenix, now I see them most days, in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and so on, even in the outer areas. I'd find their "song", hah, annoying as a caged bird, but when they're flying around making it, I sort of like it. Happy gardening all! Grant

Thanks all for your comments, We love to share our birds and we're very glad you enjoyed them. Kenn Here is a link that might be useful: Latest Slideshow

here anyway the orioles and tanagers eat the fruit best oranges and watermelon and apples. But the woodpeckers and grosbeaks do eat some. I use the regular grape jelly from the grocery store both the store brands and welch's jelly. I had several jars of homemade apricot jam in the pantry from last year and tried it and the birds enjoyed it. My orioles and tanagers have already left for the year headed south but the grosbeaks are still here and eat raisens and jelly the hummingbirds here leave out in september when it started frosting at night. I take down my necter feeders by the last of september. I was lucky this spring to have a pair of Lewis's woodpeckers fledge 4 young woodpeckers and they loved the jelly and watermelon and really devored the homemade woodpeker blocks made with sorgum and nuts and rasens and fruit bits. They have left recently but hope to see them in the spring. Our seasons here change earlier because of the higher elevations and mountains so we are probably way ahead of you in cool weather and frosts. which starts the summer birds on their way south.

Gosh Kenn, your photographs are alway so wonderful. It brings me lots of joy to view them. Thanks for that. I vote for the Nuthatch this time. WOWZA! What a shot! I also love the Titmouse, and the Yellow rumped Warbler. That little warbler looks so sweet and innocent that you would never guess at its true nature! They are one of the most fiesty and territorial birds I have ever observed. Of course, the Blues are always awesome and are also my most favorites in the yard. Who doesn't adore Bluebirds, right?~~Angie