May Birds
5/1/16
By David Brown
May is the reason for the rumor that bird watchers always wake up early. It is the peak of spring migration in Pennsylvania as birds are flying north to their breeding grounds. This is the time of year that birders jump out of bed when the alarm goes off a few hours before sunrise. It will be too dark to see any birds for the next few hours, but luckily you don't need to see them to identify them. Listen in the pitch-black of a calm morning and you will hear the nocturnal flight calls of warblers and thrushes as they descend into forested areas. Soon the dawn chorus begins. One bird begins singing from the darkness and soon birds are singing from every direction. Can you identify thirty species by ear before it is light enough to see any of them? Even if you can't it is still amazing to experience.
Hooded Warbler
The warblers are the group of birds that best represent May. These are tiny, brightly-colored birds. Many spent the winter in Central America or even South America, and now they are exploring the maple tree in your backyard. Over thirty species of warbler migrate through our area and many of those stay all summer and nest. Birding hot spots such as Cape May in New Jersey and Magee Marsh in Ohio are known for their spectacular warbler migrations, but you can see the majority of the same species here in Lycoming County. Some of my favorite spots to go birding in May are along the river. Mill Street in Montoursville, Canfield Island in Loyalsock, and the Williamsport river walk are all great spots. Rose Valley Lake also attracts a large number of migrants. Throughout a good day in mid-May it is possible to find over 100 species.
Birding in May often involves looking up into trees which is uncomfortable and leads to a pain known as “warbler neck.” A tip for avoiding this is to find a slope where the tops of the trees are at eye level or below. In addition to being more comfortable, this also allows you to see the tops of the birds rather than the undersides, making them much easier to identify.
Even though many species are just returning, others are already nesting. Watch for courtship displays, nest building, and baby birds. For many species it is normal for the young to leave the nest before they are able to fly, so if you find a young bird hopping around on the ground the parents are probably nearby and the best thing to do is leave it alone and make sure you keep pets away from that area.
If you have wanted to learn more about birds, now is the perfect time of year to do so. Get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty of a Pennsylvania spring day and keep your binoculars and camera ready in case a colorful bird or two show up.
