On May 15, 2026, we were watching our feeders, enjoying the birds, and hoping a Baltimore Oriole would stop by, as they were being seen in the area. When, I did see a Baltimore Oriole come to the feeder, and I was extremely excited to see a yellow oriole with it. The black on its throat extended up past his beak, and I knew right away we also had an Orchard Oriole. What a great new yard bird for our eBird yard list! The Orchard Oriole is a rare visitor to Coos County, this being only the second one seen in Errol. The first one was just last year on May 13, 2025. There was also one seen two years ago on May 6, 2024, nearby in Gorham.
This photo by Lori Charron shows the female Baltimore Oriole with the first year male Orchard Oriole, identifiable by its black throat.
A close-up view of the Orchard Oriole in Lori’s yard in Errol on May 15, 2026.
Enjoy this field note? Check out other field notes from Spring 2026!
- Bohemian Rhapsody by Kurk Dorsey
- Lawrence’s Warbler by Tony Baldasaro
- Broad-winged Hawks on a Yard Layover by Kathy Carson
- American Herring Gull Eats a Snake by Kathryn Frieden
- Season of the Ticks by Cameron Johnson
- The Little White Bird by Cameron Johnson
- Painted Bunting—a Random Rare Sighting by Rebecca Elliott
- Short-billed Dowitchers in Dummer by Janice Landry
Want even more? Visit our “From the Field” page.