This inhospitable spring seems to rival one we had 5 or 6 years ago in its ability to draw unusual migrants into urban yards. We live in the east end of Macalester-Groveland in St. Paul, and have had birds not normally seen in our yard. It's true that we have a full array of feeders and food, plus a birdbath fountain, but nothing that isn't always there. The one big draw seems to be our flowering plum tree, which is not only covered with blossoms for the moment, but also hosted many flying insects in the several warm days that we had. As of today, this tree has been visited by: 4 male and 1 female Baltimore oriole at least 2 Tennessee warblers 1 catbird 2 black-and-white warblers 2 Cape May warblers 1 black-throated green warbler a possible warbling and a possible yellow-throated vireo 2 blackpoll warblers a white crowned sparrow We've had white-throated sparrows, rose-breasted grosbeaks, hummingbirds, and both kinglets stop by, for example, but this last group is rare for our yard. In that earlier, cold spring we did host a Harris' sparrow, some yellow warblers, and some Nashvilles, so there may be more to come.
Linda Whyte