Nature Happenings

• Black fly season begins
• Indigo Buntings return.
• Courtship activities begin for Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
• Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, nuthatches, juncos, cardinals, Blue Jays and Downy Woodpecker begin their egg-laying activities.
• Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawk migration at its peak early in month.
• Pink Lady Slippers, Painted Trillium, and Bunchberry are in bloom.
• Northern Mockingbirds can be heard singing through the night into early summer.
• Moose calves are born late this month and into June.
• Gray Catbirds arrive.
• Painted and Snapping Turtles are moving to dry land to lay their eggs; look for them crossing roads.
• Baltimore Orioles return early this month.
• Peak of bird courtship. Listen for the morning chorus.
• Eta Aquarids meteor shower is early-May.
• International Migratory Bird Day is mid-May.