May 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.