Number of orioles overwintering in Grand Strand growing

Fall bird migration continues, with a trickle of birds making their way into and through our area as they continue on their way to more tropical winter quarters. A few warblers are still finding their way into the area, with American redstart, hooded, pine, common yellowthroat, magnolia and black-throated blue reported last week.

A variety of wading birds continue to be seen in Huntington’s Mullet Pond and saltmarsh along the causeway. At least one roseate spoonbill was reported last week, along with wood stork, great and snowy egret, great blue, tricolored and green herons, white ibis and black-crowned night-heron.

Common gallinule and pied-billed grebe were observed in both Sandpiper and Mallard ponds. At least one immature/female painted bunting was noted at feeders adjacent to the Nature Center.

A few folks have been happy to report the first Baltimore orioles of the season taking advantage of backyard grape jelly and hummingbird feeders. The number of these beautiful birds overwintering in our area appears to be steadily growing, as more folks maintain feeders stocked with foods that are attractive to orioles. Among the most popular oriole attractants are hummingbird feeders, grape jelly and fresh orange sections. The oriole flock that winters in the neighborhood where I live is also fond of dried mealworms and shelled peanuts. A number of other species will also take advantage of the same food items, including ruby-crowned kinglet along with orange-crowned and yellow-rumped warblers.

Many of our resident birds are fond of peanuts. Red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, brown thrasher, gray catbird, mockingbird, white-breasted and brown-headed nuthatches, pine warbler, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse and Carolina wren visit my feeders daily for peanuts and peanut pieces.

Orioles are also fond of the blooms of camellias, especially older single-flowered varieties whose blooms produce nectar. Large camellia shrubs are also attractive to a number of bird species for shelter and cover, as well as a spot to forage for insect prey. As evergreens they provide shelter year-round, and the fall/winter bloom periods of sasanqua and japonica camellia varieties provide a flower resource during the leaner months of the year.

A number of ruby-throated hummingbirds continue to avail themselves of backyard flowers and feeders in our area. Keep your feeders clean and maintained with a solution of one part sugar to four parts water with no other additives, and let me know of the hummingbird and oriole activity in your yard.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 5:54 AM with the headline "Number of orioles overwintering in Grand Strand growing."