The First Week of May - Part I

Many local birders are on pins and needles, wondering when the tropical migrants will finally arrive. The consensus is that the warblers, vireos, flycatchers, et alia, are scarce and overdue. Time will tell (trite, but true).

Meanwhile, the predominantly North American birds which come mainly from the southern portions of the continent, are well into their Spring activities. A sampling ...

Song Sparrows are well along in forming their breeding pairs and getting the season's activity underway, as this one illustrates by carrying nesting material ...

Song Sparrow

 The Yellow Warbler is the first warbler to grace us with his full-throated song, although he certainly is not doing it for our benefit ...

Yellow Warbler

 Common Merganser pairs are along the rivers and streams, including behind my home. This lady seems miffed that her beau has departed!

Common Merganser - female

 Common Grackle singing - at least, that is what he would call it. We might call it something else ...

Common Grackle

 Male Red-winged Blackbirds do a competitive display. The one on the right prevailed in the duel of the epaulets, and the other - intimidated, no doubt - flew off.

Red-winged Blackbirds

Good Birding!