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| The brilliantly colored Baltimore Oriole, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 5/8/2011. |
Once Baltimore Orioles (Above) arrived to our area for the summer, they came in strong. I saw more Orioles in more places this May, than can remember from the past previous two years when I would have been paying attention. In early May, I was lucky enough to be able to watch an Oriole nest being constructed. Oriole nests are very unique in that they are built more like hammocks (Below) as they hang off of the tree branch instead of sitting on the branch like most birds who nest in trees.
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| A pair of Baltimore Orioles oversee their nest in Rock Cut State Park; 5/8/2011. |
This nest (Above) was in full view as it was being built in early May when there was little foliage on the trees. But only a week or two later in mid May, when the leaves filled out, this nest was completely camouflaged and hidden to the average passerby.
NOTE: To Manoj of Peoria, who asked about good locations for birding near Peoria.
Personally I don't know much about birding in the Peoria area (other than visiting there a couple of times). However, I have heard that the Chautauqua National Wildlife Preserve near Havana (which isn't far from Peoria) is an excellent place to spot birds. Below are a couple of links to a websites that mention birding in the Refuge... good luck - happy birding.
6 comments:
I have been trying to get a pic of one of these forever with no luck! I think this is one of the most beautiful birds and you captured it beautifully!
I'm not sure about Nebraska as I've never had the pleasure of vacationing there but here in Illinois I have what I call the poor man's version of a feeder which is literally a branch with three plastic dixie cups spray painted orange and filled with cheap grape jam and they gobble up the jam and I think they even enjoy the way it spins around when they land on it! It's on a shepherd's hook about fifteen feet from the back patio. Once they get used to it they tend to linger a little longer so maybe you'll get your photo
6 years after this article i have Baltimore Orioles and Red breasted Grosbeaks in my backyard the past few days, as well as a large red headed woodpecker...so stunning...Rockford, IL. ..about 10 miles from Rock Cut state park where your picture was taken.
Hi, Rebecca. When did you put your oriole feeders out? I'm in Rockford, just South of 20, near S Alpine. I had an oriole on my balcony last May, but he never came back after I rushed to put some jelly out. I've read that you have to get them out early, so doing that this year.
Ive had Orioles in my backyard in Northern Illinois for about a week...wondering how long they stay? Will they be here all summer?
I live near I 55 and I 80 in Channahon,( near where the Illionis, Kankakee and DesPlains Rivvers meet) the Orioles have been here for 2 weeks and should stay in the area until early to mid July. They seem to remember feeding stations from year to year so I try to keep my jelly feeder full and clean as well as orange half's stuck on top of my Shepard hooks.
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