05/01/2026
April ends tomorrow. Here's what May delivers.
Fledgling flood — every songbird species produces young that spend days on the ground between nest and flight. Robin fledglings, cardinal fledglings, wren fledglings, sparrow fledglings — on lawns, driveways, and porches from dawn to dusk. Most are fine. The parents are nearby. May is peak "baby bird on the ground" month.
Firefly emergence — in the southern and central parts of the range, the first fireflies appear in late May. The larvae that spent two years underground pupate, emerge, and fly. The unmowed strip becomes the display stage. The amber porch light matters now.
Deer fawns — spotted, still, alone in tall grass. Born in late spring across much of the eastern range. She's coming back. Don't touch.
Second and third clutches — robins, bluebirds, and cardinals are running the production line through July. The box you cleaned between broods gets used again. The hedge that still looks shaggy has a second nest in it.
Warbler departure — the colorful passage migrants thin out. The canopy settles to the species that are staying to breed. The dawn chorus peaks and holds.
Bat pups — born in late spring in maternity colonies. She delivers upside down and catches the newborn in her tail membrane. By midsummer the pups are flying with the colony.
May is April at double speed. Everything that started is now running. Everything that was building is now producing. The yard doesn't slow down until August 🌿
