Nature Happenings

  • Peregrine Falcon males are courting the larger females.
  • 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 Widgeon, Surf Scoter, Dunlin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gold-crowned Sparrow.
  • Migratory arrivals - Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Vaux's Swift, flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewee, Swainson’s Thrush and Yellow Warbler.
  • Penstemon, a favorite flower of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, blooms.
  • 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.