LOVE BIRDS? 4 Easy Tips To Attract Orioles In Minnesota

Pops of color are showing up all over Minnesota right now, and it is not because of the dandelions or other gorgeous flowers.  Nope.  All types of colorful birds are arriving in Minnesota.

Hummingbirds just showed up the other day on my deck.  Cardinals are showing their bright red selves on feeders everywhere.  And one of the brightest birds of them all is sporting its famous orange feathers and flying high in the Minnesota sky.  If you'd love tips on getting orioles to stick around your place this summer, keep reading for a few helpful tips.

READ MORE: 10 Easy Ways to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard in Minnesota

Can You Spot The Cardinal Nest That Is Hiding?

Last weekend, I came back from the Plant Sale at the Rochester Farmer's Market and as I was putting my new plants down, something fly right next to my head.  I'm talking - probably less than an inch from my eye.  I quickly learned that I got a little too close to a momma cardinal and her new nest near one of my house windows.

At first, I couldn't find the nest.  See if you can figure out where it is in the photo below.

I know there are a ton of dead leaves.  Don't judge.  But right there in the mix of all that old is a little nest of magical eggs.

Pretty cool, right!  I'm used to seeing Robin eggs but I have never had a chance to see cardinal eggs.  I'll be posting progress on our baby birds over on my Facebook page - Jessica On The Radio - if you want to follow along on the journey.

Ok, I just had to show you that because it was pretty cool.  Now...time for the tips!

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4 Tips To Attract Baltimore Orioles to Your Yard in Minnesota

I always know that Baltimore Orioles are in the area as soon as I hear their beautiful songs.  I haven't heard it in my yard yet this year but have heard that they are starting to show up in Minnesota.  If you've never tried to attract orioles to your yard, make this year the summer they arrive and stay with the four tips below.

• #1 - get an orange bird feeder.  You can buy a feeder that is already orange or you can do what we did...buy a wood bird feeder kit, a can of orange spray paint and add that touch of color so it looks like the photo below.

• #2 - Put oranges that are cut in half or in sections out.  These are a delicious treat that orioles love!  Just be sure to have a stash ready to replace the pieces that get old or moldy.

• #3 - Grape Jelly -  We have a small glass dish that we fill up with grape jelly.  We have to stock up at Walmart because the birds go through this FAST!

When do Orioles typically migrate to Minnesota?

Birdwatchinghq.com is a great resource for all bird questions.  In regards to the question of when orioles typically start showing up in Minnesota, May 10th seems to be a magical date.  Sightings of orioles have already happened though in our state so you are going to want to make sure you get your feeders out a bit earlier than that date this year.

11 Gross and Nasty Things in the Spring that People in Minnesota Hate

All of the rain and mud in the yards and sidewalks right now make me a bit squirmish.  The reason is because there are worms everywhere.  I had to tip-toe to my car this morning to avoid them all in my driveway.  The rain also makes it challenging to pick up squishy dog turds.

If you own a dog, right now in your yard are piles of squishy turds that you really don't want to scoop up.  (If you enjoy this, please come to my house...I have a Saint Bernard.  #EnoughSaid). Picking up squishy dog poop is one of the things we truly hate doing in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as spring arrives.  And just like an infomercial...but wait, there's more!  Yeah, dog poop isn't the only thing we are hating on.  See the rest of the list below.