The beginning of May is a birder’s paradise. Spring migration hits full stride.  Of course there are great birds at the “hotspots,” but unexpected species may stop in your backyard on their way north.

Here’s just a taste of the excitement in early May:

• The trees leaf out and our brown, sun-filled forests become green and shady almost overnight.
• Birds arrive in many colors:
  • Bright red, orange, black and blue:  scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles, indigo buntings.
  • Shades of brown: hermit thrush, Swainsons thrush, wood thrush and veery.
  • Yellow and green:  Warblers and vireos galore!  The yellow warblers and yellow-rumped warblers we were happy to see in April will seem boring in May.
• Nesting is happening everywhere.  Watch for the first robin fledglings.
• More flowers bloom:  Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Fairy bells, Bellwort, Canada Mayflower and Mayapples.
• More moths and butterflies appear.
• And you’ll see the first baby bunnies.

Take part in some outings to see the sights of May.

(scarlet tanager in flight above new oak leaves. photo by Chuck Tague)