MAY NATURE NOTES
By Katie Andersen
It’s the month we’ve all been waiting for!
May brings all kinds of excitement to our area, from the peak of spring migration to the carpets of wildflowers. Here are some of May’s Nature Happenings to watch for this month.
Hummingbirds and Orioles return at the beginning of May! Both hummingbirds and orioles will come to a clear sugar water mixture of 1 part table sugar to 4 parts water. Orioles may also be attracted to your yard with orange halves and grape jelly.
Sub-adult Purple Martins return to the area to establish new colonies early in the month.
Warbler migration peaks in May. Nearly 30 species of warblers will migrate through our area!
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Common Nighthawks, Thrushes (Wood, Hermit, and Veery), Flycatchers, Scarlet Tanagers, Gray Catbirds, Vireos, House Wrens, Chimney Swifts, and more return!
Help these and other migrating birds this May by reducing the use of outdoor lighting at night. Learn More Here.
The May full moon provides a chance to spot nocturnal migrants. View the moon through binoculars, especially when it is low on the horizon to spot the silhouettes of migrating birds flying in front of it.
This is the peak of bird courtship. Listen for the incredible morning chorus at dawn.
Red Fox Kit Connor Vara
Fawns, fox kits, and skunk litters are born.
Nesting materials are being collected by many bird species. Leave gardens “messy” to help birds find the natural materials they need, including twigs, spiderwebs, mud, dried grasses, and moss.
Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice become scarce at feeders as they nest and raise their young.
Great Horned Owl chicks fledge.
Spring wildflowers include Painted Trillium, Wood Anemone, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Foamflower, Fairy Bells, Wild Strawberry, Forget-me-nots, Bluebells, Dwarf Ginseng, and more.
Catalpa, Black Locust, Tulip, Cherry, Buckeye, Apple, and Lilac trees are all in bloom.
Early May butterflies include Mourning Cloaks, Red Admirals, American Painted Ladies, and Spring Azures. Later in May, look for American Coppers, Tiger Swallowtails, Black Swallowtails, and even some early Monarchs.
Luna and Cercropia moths emerge in late May.
Spring Peepers & American Toads continue to call. Fowler’s Toads & Green Frogs begin calling.
American Woodcock continue to display and Eastern Whip-poor-will begin displaying in earnest. Both species can be heard at dusk at Presque Isle State Park at the northeast part of the park, especially near Pine Tree Trail.
May 2023 Dates of Note
May 5th: Full Moon
May 19th: New Moon
May 13th: International Migratory Bird Day