The second week of May many of the spring birds returned to the farm. The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles, Grey Catbirds, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and Song Sparrows all returned at about the same time.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks stayed around for a couple of weeks before they went off to raise their young. Occasionally I would see one at the feeder. This past week they started returning to the feeders in increasing numbers.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The pattern for the Baltimore Orioles was similar to that of the grosbeaks. They stayed around for a few weeks in large numbers. At one point I had 17 at my feeding stations and was going through a quart of grape jelly every day. The same thing happened last year. I also notice that they had nest building materials at the feeders. It was fun to watch them come to the feeder with nest building material and then have to decide whether to keep the nest building material or get some grape jelly. Usually the grape jelly won out. The important thing was that they were going to build nests which would mean they would return after raising their young. This past week they started to return for grape jelly.

Baltimore Oriole
The Grey Catbirds stayed around the feeders and built a nest close to the house where they raised one fledgling which left the nest several weeks ago. They do feed at the feeders occasionally. Mostly they like the peanut butter suet and occasionally they will eat the grape jelly. The fledgling and the adults have been hanging around the house.

Grey Catbird
The Song Sparrows also built nests near the house but I haven’t been able to identify the fledgling birds. The Song Sparrows are a frequent visitor to the bird bath.

Song Sparrow
The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have stayed around although the past few weeks the numbers have declined. They are probably off raising their young.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
I have noticed that a fledgling Downy Woodpecker has been hanging out at the suet feeder where the adult has been feeding it. The same thing had happened with a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Downy Woodpeckers

Red-bellied Woodpeckers