I haven't seen the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak for awhile, but the Red-Winged Blackbirds and the Gray Catbird have had babies.  The young RWB have been blanketing my feeder, and the American Goldfinches have covered the finch feeder.  The young GC and I had a chat yesterday morning as I was trying to leave for work.  (Why do they show up when I can't give them the attention I want to?)

Three young House Sparrows (I know, not an interesting bird) were with a parent on the rim of the birdbath.  Mom (or Dad) must have been discussing the importance of hygiene.  One of the youngsters looked bored (I imagined rolling of the eyes, and checking the fingernails, with heavy sighs).  The middle one listened, and did some half-hearted calisthenics on the rim.  The one closest to the parent, with great enthusiasm and determination (there's always a suck-up in the family), fluttered and flitted and almost levitated off the rim.  Mind you, no one got wet, but maybe they were learning the techniques.

I believe the Orchard Oriole has returned.  I heard a different voice from the usual ones singing early this morning when I had the dogs out.  He gave me so much enjoyment last year that I was hoping he would return this year.

Regards,
Jean Johnson
in NE Ohio

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.


You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]