May Nature Happeningscedar waxwing

  • May 5: Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks 
  • May 12: Full (Long Nights or Flower) Moon; New Moon: May 26
  • May 10: International Migratory Bird Day
  • Look for Cedar Waxwing pairs passing a flower petal, berry, or insect back and forth as a courtship behavior
  • Red Knots feast on Horseshoe Crab eggs in Delaware Bay in preparation for a non-stop journey to their arctic breeding grounds
  • Young rabbits, Gray Squirrels and other small mammals are leaving their nests - Drive carefully
  • Monarch Butterflies have arrived and are laying eggs on milkweed plants
  • Hawk migration winds down mid-month
  • Peak of warbler migration happens early in month: look for them in trees and bushes
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Nighthawks, Wood Thrushes, Veerys and Chimney Swifts return
  • Sub-adult Purple Martins return to establish new colonies during the monthYellow Warbler
  • Peak of bird courtship. Listen for the morning chorus: warblers singing also
  • Orioles and hummingbirds return and begin nesting. Feeders out now!
  • Chickadees and titmice become scarce at feeders as they nest and raise their young.