May Nature Happenings

• Peregrine Falcon males are courting the females (who happen to be larger then the males).
• Ospreys return and begin readying their nests near water where fish are abundant.
• Purple Martins return.
• Evening Grosbeaks return to bird feeding stations for sunflower seed treats.
• Migratory departures - Snow Geese, American Widgeons, Surf Scoters, Dunlin, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Gold-crowned Sparrows.
• Migratory arrivals - Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock's Orioles, Vaux's Swifts, flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewees, Swainson's Thrushes and Yellow Warblers.
• Penstemon blooms, a favorite flower of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
• Black Cottonwoods shed their cottony seeds on breezy days.
• Western Tiger Swallowtail butterflies visit flowers.
• Turquoise-colored male Lazuli Buntings sing while rich-brown females incubate eggs.
• Eta Aquarids meteor shower is early-May.
• International Migratory Bird Day is mid-May.