Whenever I get a new calendar I highlight the entire month of May. It is the peak month for birding.
Birds sing at dawn celebrating the end of winter. Bulbs and spring wildflowers add a splash of color to the former winter landscape. Birds that migrated south in fall are returning. It is the peak time to see 20 colorful species of warblers in a single day as they pass thru on their way to spending the summer farther north. Trees are not fully leafed out so it is easy to see birds on the tall branches. May is birding time.
Today, the first of May, I met a few friends at Tibbets Brook Park in Yonkers to kick off the May birding month. Just as the calendar predicted the migrants are coming home. I added 8 species to my 2013 bird list including 4 of the early warblers – Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black and White, and N. Parula. Warbling Vireo and Killdeer sang. An Osprey patrolled the lake looking for a fish lunch.
For me, the best find of the day was a pair of Baltimore Orioles, the male in bright neon orange, the female more subdued in attractive yellow. Great close looks. At one point, the male and female were less than 6 inches apart, highlighted by brilliant sunlight. Their pose reminded me of an Audubon painting.
Great start to May
birdsoup 
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