• May is the most anticipated month in birding, with nearly a third of all migratory birds in the western hemisphere passing through or arriving in our area during the month. The peak of spring migration occurs in Minnesota and Wisconsin in mid-May with the largest number of bird species of the entire year present for several weeks. Among the most anticipated migratory birds are the warblers. The appearance of these brightly plumaged littler birds is one of the most anticipated events of the year for bird watchers. As many as 30 species of warblers arrive in our region in May, many of them heading for breeding grounds in northern Minnesota and the boreal forest of Canada. Some will stay in our area to breed, nest, and fledge youngsters all summer long, including the Yellow, Prothonotary, and Gold-Winged warblers, Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, and American Redstart. Warblers can be seen anywhere there are woods and especially around flowering trees and shrubs that draw flying insects, the warblers’ main food source. A great place to see many warblers during migration is Frontenac State Park near Red Wing. In addition to warblers, many species of vireos, sparrows, flycatchers, tanagers, buntings, thrushes, kinglets, and many other songbirds arrive or pass through in May. Follow daily migration patterns in your county https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/migration-dashboard/
• Many of these birds are rarely seen at feeders but will sometimes come to suet feeders during migration to replenish fat resources depleted during their long journeys. Migratory birds that will visit suet and other feeders include indigo buntings, scarlet tanagers, yellow-rumped and pine warblers, chipping and song sparrows, grey catbirds, and others.
• Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and Baltimore and Orchard Orioles arrive in large numbers around the first of May. Hummingbirds will come back year after year to the same feeders they first encountered after they were born.
• Most birds, even those normally considered seedeaters, switch to eating insects in May. Insects and their larvae are a critical source of protein, important for feeding hungry parents and growing babies alike. Consider putting out live mealworms in feeders during May and June when birds are nesting and fledging young.
• Most birds, both resident and migratory, begin nesting in May. Some notable May nesters include Chickadees, Hummingbirds, Orioles, Yellow Warblers, American Redstarts, Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers. Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers and Flickers will use nesting boxes. The young of resident birds that nested earlier such as Cardinals, Robins, Bluebirds, and Barred Owls can be seen making their first flights in May. Tune in to the Cornell University/Wild Birds Unlimited Barred Owl live cam to see nestlings Moss and Maple make their first flights in early May: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/barred-owls/
• With the many birds present in our area, the dawn chorus of birdsong peaks in May. Listen for cardinals, robins, house finches, brown thrashers, and many, many others singing at first light.
• Wildflowers begin to bloom in area forests and woodlands in May before the trees fully leaf out. Common “spring ephemerals” blooming in May include Virginia Bluebell, Bloodroot, Trillium, Hepatica, Wild Geranium, Dutchman’s Breeches, Marsh Marigold, Spring Beauty, Rue Anemone, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Trout Lily, and Wild Columbine. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are thought to follow the red blooms of wild columbine from the Gulf coast to our area, arriving just after they begin blooming in our area. A great place to see spring ephemeral wildflowers (and spring birds!) is Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park. By the end of May, most of our trees are leafed out and spring ephemeral flowers have finished their short blooming periods.
• By the end of May the tallgrass prairie finally begins to awaken from its winter slumber.
