May 2004 was a relatively dry (13 th driest May on record) and mild (17 th warmest) month. May is always the peak month for migration, and the month in which rarities are most likely to be seen. Good weather tends to keep the birds scattered, and it was noticeable that many birds seemed to head straight for their breeding areas without stopping on the way. For instance, Chipping Sparrows were seen in much lower numbers than usual on the plains. Birders had to work hard to find migrants. However, over the entire month a wide range of less usual species was found bringing May’s total to a very respectable 214 bird species. It seemed as if different birders had very different experiences. On the morning of May 14, Scott Severs described Boulder Creek as “hopping” with birds while Christof Demont-Heinrich described the same area as “dead, dead, dead”.

It is always interesting to see what birds are reported after a gap of over a year. This included two species of vireo, and three species of warbler. White-eyed Vireo was last seen in 2002, and Yellow-throated Vireo was seen in 1999. A Cape May Warbler (last observed in 2000) was seen on Boulder Creek outside the public library for nearly a week and delighted birders from all over the state. Pine Warbler (1998) and Prairie Warbler (1993) are two of our less usual east coast warblers. Additionally, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was reported for the first time since 1997.

Shorebird migration was still going strong at the beginning of the month. Dunlin are more usually seen in the winter than on spring migration. Several Red-necked Phalarope were found among the flocks of the more regularly occurring Wilson’s Phalarope. Black-necked Stilt continued to linger, and a single Sanderling was found at Union Reservoir. Although warblers were not reported in great numbers, a surprising 22 different species of warbler were observed. Black-throated Sparrow was one of the less usual sparrows that was observed.

Certain birds seem to be expanding in both terms of numbers and habitat. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers seem to be becoming much more widespread. Blue Grosbeaks were reported in the mountains as well as on the plains, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, although only found in small numbers, were reported as high as Nederland. TOP