A couple of weeks ago I started hearing a bird singing
regularly in my yard. I thought that it sounded like
a Baltimore Oriole (which I only hear a few times a
year, so I don't have it well memorized). I made a mental
note to track it down with binoculars. After hearing the
call a few more times, I realized that it couldn't be a
Baltimore Oriole.

This weekend I tracked the mystery bird down with a
scope. It's a first-year male Orchard Oriole - the
first one that I've ever seen. I have seen several 2nd
year (and beyond) male Orchard Orioles, but this was a
"new" one - distinctive with its completely different
coloration, including black bib, yellow-green above and
below, and grey wings and white wing bars. The bird has
several favorite trees to sing from, including an apple
tree (appropriate!). I haven't found the nest, if any,
yet.

Tony Heatwole
Damascus, MD