We are located at the northeastern edge of the orchard orioles' range. Each autumn, the wind carries the leaves to the edges of the yard under the trees and shrubs where a good duff layer is accumulating. Rich in insects and other invertebrates, this feature has attracted chipping sparrows and song sparrows. Chipping sparrows favor nest sites in evergreen shrubs common in our home landscapes. They glean insects and seeds from the ground and prefer feeding in areas with abundant weeds.
Song sparrows nest on the ground in grasses or under a brush pile.
They may raise the height of subsequent nests, as they often have two or three broods each season. Last year, they nested in our day lilies. Song sparrows need an elevated perch for singing. They eat insects, weed seeds and fruits, gleaned from the ground and vegetation. A thrill came while I was working in the garden last weekend.