Other colorful birds, like Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers, can be found without too much effort in the same areas. A myriad of flycatchers, vireos, and thrushes are likely to be encountered on a morning walk in mid- to late May. You’ll likely notice other long-distance migrants traveling with the warblers these mixed flocks can net a keen observer many different kinds of birds in one location in a short period of time. Yellow-rumped Warbler, image credit: Bob Dunlap At least 31 different kinds of warblers are found in Minnesota each year, and May is the best time to see them as most are headed north to their breeding grounds in the forests of northern Minnesota and Canada. These birds really are stunners, and with descriptive names like Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped, Golden-winged, and Blackburnian you can picture the colors that some of these flashy gems sport. Warblers pass through the state en masse throughout May, with peak migration occurring around May 15 in the southern half of the state and in the third or fourth week of May in the northern half. The most popular tend to be the warblers, a colorful family of songbirds that, for many observers, represents the pinnacle of May birding. Most of these are songbirds that spent the winter in forests of Central and South America. In more wooded areas you’ll likely find many of our long-distance migrants. However, Eastern Kingbirds, Bobolinks, Indigo Buntings, and many Tree Swallows spent the winter in more tropical latitudes and by mid-May are alighting grasses and scattered treetops. Sedge Wrens, Field Sparrows, Northern Flickers, and American Kestrels didn’t have to fly far to reach their breeding grounds in Minnesota from states to our south. On drier, open ground, you’ll likely find a mix of short-distance and long-distance migrants. An early morning or late evening visit to a marsh or wetland can be a rewarding experience boasting a chorus of birdsong in May Some less obvious birds (largely due to their smaller size) in these same habitats are Belted Kingfishers, Song Sparrows, Marsh Wrens, and Common Yellowthroats, all short-distance migrants that are more easily heard than seen. Most of these long-distance migrants return to Minnesota in May, joining many of the short-distance migrants that returned earlier in the spring.Ĭanada Geese, Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, and even our state bird, the Common Loon, are short-distance migrants that you may find in May if you visit a nearby lake, pond, or wetland. Long-distance migrants are birds that do leave the continental United States, traveling as far south as South America to spend their winters. Some short-distance migrants travel just a few hundred miles between wintering and breeding grounds (where they spend their summers), while others travel much greater distances, such as from Canada to southern Louisiana. Short-distance migrants are birds that usually spend their winters in the continental United States. There are two main categories of migrant birds: short-distance migrants and long-distance migrants. Birds can, of course, be found in any other month but what makes May so special to observers in Minnesota is the diversity of birds that is present and passing through during the height of spring migration. ![]() This is a good book.May is the month of birds. ![]() Dogs save lots of birds that would be lost in the cover if you hunted w/o such a companion. I enjoy reading about all the types of dogs used to hunt upland birds and this book is a good place to find facts and details about training and hunting with your dog. But they can and do and challange birders and hunters to be sharp of eye to find them. Many people cannot imagine how a colorful bird such as the pheasant can hide in very little vegetation. ![]() ![]() Habitat is the home for the birds and must include water, cover for shelter and good quality foods. Now it is found in the northern tier of States in U S A where this is adequate habitat. The Ring-necked pheasant is not a native of North America but was imported from China to the Willamete Valley in Oregon in 1895 or 96. I like this book because it talks about dogs and equipment for harvesting the most popular upland game bird in the U S A. He says he started to hunt pheasants with his Dad who was a hunting buddy for years. He had many years of field experience when he started to write this book. The author is a long time writer and editor of books and magazines, so you know he is a pro at this kind of work.
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