Orioles reaching northern edge of range

It’s mid-May, and many of our favorite birds have returned for the season. Orioles have made their way into the northernmost stretches of their range, with Journey North participants into Manitoba, Saskatchewan and even Alberta all spotting them in the past week.

And it’s not just orioles, barn swallows and other species that Journey North tracks. Volunteers have been reporting some of their other favorite signs of spring throughout the first few weeks of May. Let’s dive in.

Orioles

We received a report of a Baltimore oriole from Rhonda in Bonnyville, Alberta on May 8 at latitude 54.3, the most northern report of a Baltimore oriole we have received in 10 years! 

The last time we received a report that far north was in 2014, when Robert in Cold Lake, Alberta spotted one on May 19, writing, “first time I have seen them up here.”

We’ve received lots of other reports from north of the border as well. Peter in Regina, Saskatchewan wrote on May 10, “Spotted this male at 11:34 am. He then flew up into our Mountain Ash and investigated the orange halves and the jelly feeder. He's been around regularly over the past two days, but no others have shown up yet.”

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Audrey reported an oriole on May 14, writing, Male has been eating suet and resting in a cherry tree - has not visited the jelly feeder. He arrived just after 2 pm today.”

On the northeastern end of the Baltimore oriole's range, several reports were received from Maine, including Diane in Albion, Maine on May 3, with numerous other reports coming in from Ontario as well, including from Herta in Severn, who wrote on May 5, "Such a happy sight on a dreary morning! Six days earlier than last spring. Joined an hour later by a second male."

While Journey North doesn’t explicitly track orchard orioles, we also got a report of one as an “Other Signs of Spring” observation from Brenda at the northern end of their range in Traverse City, Michigan. She wrote, “Haven’t had one come in for several years.”

Work continues to develop a new mobile-friendly sightings and registration application, which would allow contributors like you to report on four species of orioles. Stay tuned. In the meantime, you can use "Other Signs of Spring" to report the first arrivals of orchard orioles and hooded orioles.

Other birds

Speaking of which, the “Other Signs of Spring” map was dotted with other Journey North contributors excited about sightings of rose-breasted grosbeaks in particular.

Joe in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania wrote on May 4, “1st Rose-Breasted Grosbeak of the year. They usually show up at or near the same time as the Orioles (which I first saw last week).”

Brenda in Centre Wellington, Ontario also photographed one alongside a dove on May 10, writing, “Beautiful rosebreasted grosbeak at my feeder.”

Cathleen in Fairfield, Pennsylvania also reported regular appearances from a brown thrasher on May 5, among the numerous other fun spring sightings across the continent.

You can submit sightings like these as well as any others that don’t fit perfectly into another category as “Signs of Spring” to help fill the map with great reminders of seasonal change. Please don’t submit your sightings of other species in other focused categories. 

Barn swallows

Barn swallows also continue their travels north, with Joan writing on May 11 from Dunrobin, Ontario, “They have just arrived in our barn and are setting up their nest.”

Six reports were received from the western four provinces of southern Canada, including a report of two birds in McTaggart, Saskatchewan by Maureen.

Jose in Sioux City, Iowa also reported cliff swallows beginning to nest under a bridge in Sioux City, Iowa in the “Other Signs of Spring” category with a fun photo.

Loons

Loons are arriving at their summer residences, with the first reports coming in from N in Murray Point, Saskatchewan on May 11 as well as Susan in Kabaigon, Ontario, and Jan in Severn Bridge, Ontario, both on May 2.

Keep reporting

Even if those around you have already reported their first sightings, don’t hesitate to post your sightings as you spot your first oriole, loon or barn swallow!

Hummingbirds and monarchs are also still making their way north. Submit your sightings to Journey North here, and don’t forget to include a photo if you can get one, as well as a short description of the bird or butterfly’s behavior.

You can also submit other observations – not just your first sightings – such as hummingbirds nectaring or robins’ nesting behaviors.

Thank you for contributing to Journey North!