Spring migration birding continues in May

Blue grosbeak in the Lowcountry of S.C.

The cool and wet weather for the Spring of 2013 is keeping the progression of seasons at bay, at least for this week. Migratory songbirds that pass through the area from their Neotropical wintering grounds on the way back north have been slow to appear. This means that the best birding may still be yet to come, so keep a sharp eye. Backyard birdwatchers deploy an array of birdseed in winter, but thistle seed in particular helps to attract goldfinches. Since they over winter in the Lowcountry they are a great bellwether for songbird migration. Did anyone else see a yellow flash at their feeder this year and do a double-take? Normally, the finches migrate north before they come into the golden-plumage that earns their name. Not so in 2013 though, making this the best year I can ever remember to view goldfinches in the Lowcountry. Lifelong birders know spring to be their best chance of sighting a new species for the first time, thus adding it to their life list of sightings. This is because every spring it seems that a bird or two from another region gets swept into our southeastern region as they fly through with our regular migrants. Sightings of this nature are exhilarating and can be the reason that fuels resolve to become a regular birder. This birder keeps a birding journal to record both special and more common sightings and the date. Over the years, a birding journal can reveal the arrival and departure of migratory songbirds. Plus it serves to record which bird species are more common everyday at the feeders.

To view my feature story on birding in May click Colletonian.

To view past Birding Journal Observations click here.