Date: 05/04/1998

Number: 1

I received word from a friend today (May 4) that a male BALTIMORE ORIOLE
had arrived at her feeder this morning. This is a bit early for us here at
the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. I've been keeping track of first arrivals
since 1991, and the average first arrival date is May 12th. That ranges
from an exceptionally early date of April 19, 1996 through a late date of
May 21, 1995. Today's arrival is now the second earliest.

Last year we had a huge fallout of orioles, both Baltimore and Orchard,
about May 12th which lasted for two weeks. The local hardware store ran
out of oriole feeders, but the orioles refused to use them! Instead, they
greedily ate up oranges and grapefruits cut in half, and old rotten apples.
It was unseasonably cold, so the feeding undoubtedly saved lives. It was
nice to see them up close, but when they are that tame, you know they are very hungry.

Castilia, NB

Latitude: 44.7 Longitude: -66.8

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