We lived in our house for more than two decades before I figured out that if I put out oranges and a container of grape jelly during spring migration season I could lure Baltimore Orioles into my yard. In southern Wisconsin, May 1st is the traditional date to set them out according to seasoned birdwatchers.
So for the last 10 years I’ve been following that rule and I’ve gotten to enjoy many days of both Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles visiting the backyard feeders.
What I didn’t know until recently is that some people leave the jelly and oranges out beyond peak migration season. I didn’t figure there was any point until I saw all the other customers who enjoy these fruit treats.
Like House Finches:
Gray Catbirds:
American Robins:
And even Rose-breasted Grosbeaks!
Red-bellied Woodpeckers also enjoy oranges:
Because of a freak week of summer weather in April followed by more snow, bird migration season was a little weird this year. Some of of the flowering trees did their thing earlier than normal. Migrating birds rely on being able to hunt insects that are attracted to those flowers, so they tried to adjust their timing accordingly. I had some birds arriving to my neighborhood both earlier and later than I’m used to seeing them, and the number of visiting orioles was lower than normal.
Because of that I didn’t use up my big jar of grape jelly (one year I went through THREE big jars!), so I’ve continued to fill the cup even though the orioles have already moved on. As long as wasps and ants are not a problem, I’ll happily feed the other birds that enjoy these treats until their regular natural fruit sources are back in supply.