Bird Watching in May

Mourning Warbler by Jenny Brumfield

Long considered to be the birdwatcher’s favorite month because of the strong northward movements of many Neotropical birds in brightly-colored attire, May brings a final end to the dreary days of late winter and early spring. Even though the weather often remains fickle along Lake Erie--there are days when the birder needs to have a winter coat-- birds will be streaming by local lakefront migrant traps. Passerine migration peaks in the middle third of the month and it is possible to rack up 120 or more species in a day in the region. Lingering waterfowl, northbound shorebirds and many expected long-distant migrants can make for exciting filed trips. Lakefront sites can teem briefly with a variety and number of birds that any ardent field observer will appreciate.

The middle third of May yields chances of seeing 20 or more warbler species in a day. Compare that to 20 species of warblers for all of April. Participation on the Sunday Morning Bird Walk program sponsored by the Cleveland Audubon Society, Cleveland Metroparks and Geauga Parks has long been a favored way to contribute to the ornithological record for the Cleveland region. Unless it has been an exceptionally cool spring, migration tapers off somewhat after May 20. However, the latter third is the best time to find Alder and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and highly sought-after Mourning and Connecticut Warblers. Many breeding birds are on territory, and young Brown Thrashers and American Robins are already fending for themselves.

Please join us for our May monthly meeting or field trips.  All are welcome. Click Here for meeting and trip times and locations.