May 2020
May is a magical month for nature lovers almost anywhere in the US, especially for birders. Migrants are pouring through, and the local breeding species are fully engaged in courtship and nesting activities. I'm usually busy leading lots of field trips in May, but with everything cancelled due to COVID-19 this year I was able to head out on my own every day. A few of my May highlights are featured here.
Green Heron
Green returns in force to our forests and fields in May, and with it come migrant songbirds returning from the tropics. Photos at right, clockwise from top left: Scarlet Tanager, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-throated Vireo, Ovenbird, Yellow Warbler.
Above, left to right: Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee with nesting material, Prairie Warbler.
Below, left to right: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Field Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Great Crested Flycatcher.
Black-and-white Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Mississippi Kite
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-breasted Chat
Orchard Oriole
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Willow Flycatcher
Red-eyed Vireo
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Yellow-billed Cuckoo