Winters are long and dreary here in the Midwest. After the blazing colors of fall leaves hit the ground, the land is void of almost all color. Different shades of grey permeate almost any destination. There are few exceptions, of course, such as the bright red of the Northern Cardinal and the deep blues of the Blue Jay.

But then the migration begins!

The first color starts arriving with birds like the Eastern Bluebird, which, don’t get me wrong is a treat, but then HERE COMES MAY!

The early wood warblers start arriving by the thousands, bringing with them their flashes of yellow. The sounds of “sweet, sweet, sweet. I’m so sweet!” of the Yellow Warbler and “witchity, witchity, witch” of the Common Yellowthroat greet each dawn with happiness.

Magnolia, Bay-Breasted, Palm, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers dance around the tree tops as they head for their breeding grounds from their winter homes in the tropics. Mourning and Canada warblers dressed in patterns consisting of blues, blacks, and yellows skulking along the forest floor.

Spring has definitely sprung!