After what was considered by many to be to longest Minnesota winter, the month of May made the wait worthwhile. While it wasn't the warmest of springs, that didn't stop the birds from returning. Migrating warblers, sparrows, and wrens found their way back, and once again the forests are filled with music. Ducks returned to the open waters once the lakes thawed (some lakes in the northern part of the state still had ice through the second week of May!). Perhaps my favorite sound of spring is that of the Ruffed Grouse doing his courtship "drumming" on a log in the woods. May in Minnesota is simply the best.
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Ruffed Grouse on the drumming log
Wood Duck
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Ruffed Grouse display
Nashville Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Winter Wren
American Goldfinch
