grape jelly

If anyone tracks consumer grocery purchases and looked at mine in the last month and a half, they'd think I'd suddenly developed an obsession with grape jelly.  I don't just buy it by the single jar, I have to buy it in multiples.  I never knew what an attraction it would be in my garden when I purchased that "high end" feeder last winter for the orioles.  It has turned out to be the "go-to" place for many more birds than just them.  Here's a sampling of the birds I caught visiting/indulging during my thirty minute lunch break yesterday (making me the worst dining companion in history, I might add, since I did little conversating and mostly clicking).  A house finch:

They have loved both the oranges & the jelly whenever they can squeeze in line behind the bigger birds that visit.  One of those being the Blue Jays who first checked out the feeder when they were nesting.

 

Now that the young have fledged, they still visit daily to check for peanuts & sample a couple bites of jelly.  The most surprising visitor to the jelly jars are the Robins:

 

I've never had a Robin visit any feeder in my yard before so I was certainly surprised to discover them on this one.  But you can see (by the telltale traces of jelly on his beak) that they are also enjoying the sweet treat.  Of course, the feeder was designed primarily for Orioles and now that the Blue Jays have left, they are back in droves.  It's really amusing to watch them make their way onto the jelly cups.  They never fly directly to them.  They land in the Aspen trees, hop onto the arbor then thread their way thru the honeysuckle vines until they are positioned just so:

 

After going thru all those acrobatics, they waste no time eating upon arrival.  I loved this photo of the male Bullock's oriole, beak open, ready to dive in for a big bite:

 

The feeder is in such high demand, there is often a line.  Here's an example taken mostly for my father who found it amazing that they wouldn't be territorial:

 

I haven't observed that, it's like they've had a few lessons in manners.  One will eat while the others wait.  But as soon as one is finished and takes flight:

 

The second moves in.  And so it goes.  I could have sat there all afternoon snapping pictures.  I have to enjoy it while I can tho ~ the Orioles will start to head south in July and that will be it until next season.  I can't believe it's almost over already....

Comments

[Janet]

Love your oriole!!! Maybe I should get some jelly out and that will help attract some to my house.

[cindee]

What beautiful pictures!!!(-:

[Robin]

I'm surprised to see the robin eating the jelly.

I'd like to try and attract the orioles next year. I've never seen one in person.

[Catherine/gardenerprogress]

How neat to have such a popular feeder. It looks like it was a good investment :) I've never seen an Oriole before. I love their coloring. I've never seen a Robin at a feeder either.

[Anna/Flowergardengirl]

Awesome! I was enjoying every word and every photo. I never would have thought that grape jelly would be so popular. And the robin likes it too--interesting.

[Racquel]

Looks like you are keeping the Jelly companies in business Kathleen, lol. I've never seen Orioles in my yard, but since you say they head south in July I'll have to put some of this stuff out for them. ;)

[Marnie]

I never knew jays and robins would eat jelly. For some reason nothing eats the oranges and jelly I put out. I will keep trying but it is so frustrating that in some areas birds seem to love these treats but my birds won't touch them. Thanks so much for the photos. You give me new hope;)
Marnie

[Gail]

Kathleen..This is a delicious post! Beautiful birds...I the oriols are wonderful and so is the Bluejays tail feathers! I put peanut butter out, but have never thought of jelly..Do those pesky squirrels stay away from jelly? gail

[Kathleen]

Hi Gail. I've never seen a squirrel on the jelly ~ I do have a couple that visit my yard occasionally ~ but probably don't have near as many as you? Your garden would be a good test as to whether the squirrels would go crazy for it as well.

[Sweet Bay]

Great pictures! Those birds are really diving right in, they obviously love that food. I too can't believe how quickly summer is going...