I don't know if I'm just noticing this for the first time or if it's because of the drought, but I've had some interesting birds nectar-feeding from the Trumpet Creeper flowers (Campsis radicans). For several days I had two baltimore orioles, a male and a female – not all that surprising, since orioles are known to visit hummingbird feeders. It would make sense they would use other hummingbird nectar sources. But it was a first for me witnessing this activity. Interestingly, a juvenile male rose breasted grosbeak was also seen feeding from the Trumpet Creeper blossoms! For those thinking of running out to purchase a Trumpet Creeper, let me set you straight from the get-go. This is not a vine for climbing up the mailbox or trellis. Mine is growing up the trunk of a wild cherry tree (another bird favorite). The tree is about 35 feet tall. The vine has grown completely to the top of the tree in 7 years, and extends about 10 feet out on several branches. I expect it to eventually knock the tree down! The vine also suckers readily, sprouting shoots up to 20 feet from the main trunk. You must plant it either where you can mow 360° around it or be vigilant and pull shoots often. I have seen them send shoots up through asphalt driveways! If you can site this vine appropriately, it is beautiful in bloom and the birds – hummers and apparently others – love it! There are other species and hybrids of Campsis that may be less rampant and more suitable for growing up a lamp post, but I have not grown them and can't attest to their ability to attract birds. In other yard bird news, three of my house wren nest boxes fledged young in June and it appears there may be follow-up broods in at least two. That is a record by a long shot. It's a wren-o-rama around here! Other confirmed or likely interesting nesters in or adjacent to my yard are cedar waxwing, eastern bluebird, eastern phoebe, eastern wood pewee (a first!), carolina wren, red-shouldered hawks (5th year?), yellow warbler, brown thrasher, n. flicker, downy woodpecker, and last but not least, the ospreys are still attending the Jacoby Rd. nest visible from my yard. I am hoping to see some nestlings soon. Karen Gray Copley / Summit Co. ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]