Baltimore Orioles Return To Will County For The Spring

WILL COUNTY, IL — The last of the "highly anticipated migratory birds" has arrived back in Will County for the spring, according to a release from the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Baltimore orioles were spotted locally this week, which is right on schedule and a very similar arrival as last year.

While there's a considerable frenzy over the return of ruby-throated hummingbirds each spring, orioles are another colorful bird people look forward to seeing, the preserve said. Sightings have been reported on Journey North, with reports in Lisle and a picture of a visiting oriole at a feeder in Manhattan.

Now that orioles have started arriving, you can start expecting some other birds to start popping in as well, the preserve said. Historically, orioles, hummingbirds, rose-breasted grosbeaks and indigo buntings show up around the same time here.

Hummingbirds are easy to attract to your yard with a nectar feeder, and grosbeaks and orioles are easy to entice as well. Orioles love both oranges and grape jelly, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports. If you cut oranges in half and leave them on a feeder or put grape jelly on a feeder, there's a good chance you will see them show up in search of a sweet bite. Rose-breasted grosbeaks aren't looking for fruit, but they often visit feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and raw peanuts.

Both orioles and grosbeaks nest in the area, but Baltimore orioles are among the first birds to depart on their return trip to their wintering grounds. They will begin to leave the area in July, the Cornell Lab reports.