This week is the end of May, and the soon to be end of northbound avian migration. You might be lucky enough to still pick up some birds moving north – a late warbler or two, some shorebird stragglers, a tardy thrush, or some of the intentionally slower flycatcher species such as the uncommon Olive-sided Flycatcher that can be heading to breeding grounds in June. I have yet to see one of them this year after missing them last year as well. Before then I had seen one or multiple Olive-sided Flycatchers for five straight years including August birds at the Jamestown Airport and on our own property at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. It’s hard to imagine that in a couple of weeks some shorebird species with failed nests will be heading south for the winter!
I did see plenty of our warblers this year, and many afforded me tremendous viewing and photography opportunities. I recently had another cooperative Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) as you can see below.
How can you not love a bird like that? There is so much more wildlife all around us, and soon more of our insects will be emerging. Butterflies and dragonflies will fill the skies and help feed many of these birds and their young all summer long. Our staff will be undertaking various field conservation projects and will certainly share more of those beautiful finds with you as well.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
