Nature Happenings

• Orioles return and begin nesting in southern part of region. Get their feeders ready.
• Whip-poor-wills arrive in the first half of the month.
• Wintering sparrows begin to head north; the White-throated are usually the last to go.
• Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks arrive at inland breeding sites.
• Painted Buntings begin to arrive late in the month.
• Spring migration brings the American Redstart, Ovenbird, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, Red-eyed Vireo early in the month and the Yellow Warbler, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeak later.
• Mature male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks arrive about three days before the females. First year males usually arrive last.
• Indigo Buntings arrive.
• Birds are courting each other, chasing competitors and more.
• a slowdown in feeder activity from Chickadees, Nuthatches and Titmice as Moms are incubating eggs. Feeder activity will soon pickup with Dad bringing younglings to feeders.