Nature Happenings

• Orioles return and begin nesting in the northern part of the region. Get feeders, nectar, fruit and jelly out early.

• Canada Geese goslings and Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Wood Duck and Mallard ducklings hatch and venture forth early in the month.

• Peak of warbler migration away from the coast happens very early in the month.

• Sub-adult Purple Martins return to establish new colonies early in the month.

• Grassland species on territory (buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Dickcissels, Northern Bobwhite)

• Cedar Waxwings finally depart.

• Yellow-billed Cuckoo are late to arrive and the first to leave; some individuals will spend less than a month at their breeding territory.

• Chickadees and titmice become scarce at feeders as they nest and raise their young.

• Bluebirds: first brood fledges, second nesting attempt begins.

• Eta Aquarids meteor shower is early-May.

• International Migratory Bird Day is mid-May.

 Baltimore Oriole

 Orchard Oriole

 Canadian Geese Goslings

 Black-bellied Whistling Ducklings

Mallard Duck Ducklings

 Wood Duck Ducklings

 Prothonotary Warbler

 Yellow-rumped Warbler

 Purple Martins

 Painted Bunting

 Blue Grosbeak

 Dickcissel

 Northern Bobwhite Quail

 Yellow-billed Cuckoo

                                  

Chickadee                                                                                                   Tufted Titmouse

 Bluebird feeding first brood