birding in may

May is one of the best months for birding, and this year was no different.  Besides the more common migrant birds that start popping up like a catbird, other species have been in abundance such as the eastern towhee.

But the real treasures lay in the beauty of the inimitable migrant birds.  The first and well known is the Baltimore oriole.  Its song in my neighborhood is heard throughout the day and can often be seen in deciduous trees looking for bugs to eat.  Its bright orange body makes it unique to other bland blackbirds, along with its song. 

Along the shore the greater yellowlegs and American oystercatchers can often be seen.  This month has also been full of new birds.  I saw my first tern, which is like a slimmer sleeker gull.  I also saw a prairie warbler for the first time, which I tracked down in the woods from its distinguishable ascending buzz-like song.  Keeping in-line with warblers I got a fantastic view of a yellow warbler, which puts the yellow of an American goldfinch to shame.   

The real show for the month though was the ruddy turnstone.  It’s a small shorebird that’s brown, black, and white with a pattern that distinguishes it from any other bird.  Its name of course comes from the bird often turning over stones looking for food.  The second was a great view of a common yellowthroat, a beautiful warbler that is easily distinguished by its black mask on its head.