A Different Spring Migration

Data by BirdCast

We've had many nights with multiple millions of birds crossing over our area since late April. The birds have taken advantage of strong winds from the south, carrying them to their breeding grounds. The birds that have dropped in to rest and refuel have been ravenous, foraging and feeding as if their lives depended on it, which is so true. So, let's take a look at some of the birds that have come in.

5-3-26 Orchard Oriole first spring male

A first spring male Orchard Oriole bathed in the basin on 5-3-26.

5-6-26 Magnolia Warbler

5-17-26 Magnolia Warbler

A Magnolia Warbler has been seen feeding in elms and viburnum for eleven days, finally dipping in at the bubbler yesterday.

5-3-26 Black-throated Green Warbler 5-7-26 Chestnut-sided Warbler #2

5-6-26 Chestnut-sided Warbler female

Black-throated Green and Chestnut-sided Warblers have been seen bathing and foraging since 5-1-26. 

5-7-26 Black-and-white Warbler 5-12-26 Black-and-white Warbler female

The male Black-and-white Warbler arrived 5-6-26, with the female showing up six days later.

5-7-26 Common Yellowthroat

5-7-26 Common Yellowthroat
5-11-26 Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat had me chasing it through the gooseberry patch and around the hydrangeas for days before getting comfortable enough to pop out.

5-8-26 Summer Tanager female 5-9-26 Summer Tanager first spring male eating wasp 5-9-26 Summer Tanager first spring male in transition

A pale female Summer Tanager was in the swampy thicket on 5-8-26. The young multicolored male was catching wasps the next day. 

5-8-26 Swamp Sparrow 5-8-26 Swamp Sparrow

The Swamp Sparrow behaves much like the Common Yellowthroat, taking days to show itself finally on 5-8-26.

5-13-26 Wilson's Warbler 5-13-26 Wilson's Warbler

A Wilson's Warbler went straight to the bubble to take a dip on 5-13-26.

5-15-26 American Redstart

5-15-26 American Redstart female

American Redstarts have been around since 5-7-26. 

5-14-26 Late Winter Wren 5-14-26 Late Winter Wren

A late Winter Wren showed up on 5-14-26. It wasn't late enough for the record, that is held by my friend Diane Bricmont who found one on 5-18-21. Yes, Diane, where did five years go??

  5-14-26 Lincoln's Sparrow

Another little skulker is this Lincoln's Sparrow. It was only seen one day, 5-14-26. 

5-15-26 Bay-breasted Warb;er 5-15-26 Bay-breasted Warb;er

A personal favorite is the Bay-breasted Warbler that also went straight to the bubbler before feeding again on 5-14-26.

5-17-26 Red-eyed Vireo

A Red-eyed Vireo perched briefly on Solomon's Seal as it studied the best approach to bathing on 5-17-26.

The Wood Thrush was heard here for ten days running in April. (I never laid eyes on it.) This bird also has the honor of being the "poster child" in this graphic on actions to help birds. To my great delight, one came to the bubbler this week on 5-15-26, for only the third time in 26 years!

5-15-26 Wood Thrush 5-15-26 Wood Thrush 5-15-26 Wood Thrush

So, that's my tale of May!