Nature Happenings

• Peregrine Falcon males are courting the larger females.

• Ospreys return and begin readying their nests near water where fish are abundant.

• Purple Martins return.

• Evening Grosbeaks return to bird feeding stations for sunflower seed treats.

• Migratory departures - Snow Geese, American Widgeon, Surf Scoter, Dunlin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gold-crowned Sparrow.

• Migratory arrivals - Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Vaux's Swift, flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewee, Swainson’s Thrush and Yellow Warbler.

• Penstemon, a favorite flower of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, blooms.

• Black Cottonwoods shed their cottony seeds on breezy days.

• Western Tiger Swallowtail butterflies visit flowers.

• Turquoise-colored male Lazuli Buntings sing while rich brown females incubate eggs.

• Eta Aquarids meteor shower is early-May.

• International Migratory Bird Day is mid-May.